transmission HONDA INSIGHT 2003 1.G User Guide

µ
µ When the vehicle reaches the
maximum speed in any shif t position,
you may f eel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter (112
mph, 180 km/h) in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
speed to below the maximum.
To shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, and move
the lever to S. The S position is
similar to D, except the range of
ratios are different for better
acceleration and increased engine
braking.
With the shift lever in D or S, you
canalsousethepaddleshiftersto
shif t the transmission up or down.
With the paddle shifters, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a
clutch pedal. For more inf ormation
on driving with the paddle shif ters,
see page .
To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to make better
use of engine power when climbing,
and f or maximum engine braking
when going down steep hills.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD,S,
or L, the transmission will
automatically ‘‘kick down’’ to a lower
range of ratios by pushing the
accelerator pedal to the floor.
276
EX models
Insight and LX models
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Second (S)
Low (L) Speed L imiter
274

If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral. Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Putaclothonthenotchof the
shif t lock release slot cover to
prevent scratches. Using a small
f lat-tip screwdriver or a metal
f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry on the
notch of the cover to remove it. Remove the key from the ignition
switch. Set the parking brake. Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the lef t side. Insert the
key into the ignition switch, press
the brake pedal, and restart the
engine.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
275
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT RELEASE BUTTON

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To shif t up or down, use the
(right) or (lef t) paddle shif ter on
either side of the steering wheel.
Pull the (right) paddle shifter to
upshift. Pull (left) to downshift. When you pull either paddle shif ter,
the shif t indicator shows you the
selected speed number.
WhenyouaredrivingintheD
position, pulling either paddle shif ter
switches f rom the D-normal shif t
mode to the D-paddle shif t mode.
You can shif t the transmission up or
down through seven-stages manually
with the paddle shifters.
When the transmission returns to
ordinary automatic transmission
(CVT), the displayed shif t indicator
disappears.
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
On EX models
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the
D position (D-Paddle Shif t Mode)
276
SHIFT INDICATOR

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CONT INUED
The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
the normal driving, the system
judges that you are driving at a
constant cruising speed without
using the paddle shif ters. Under
these conditions, D-paddle shif t
mode is canceled, and the
transmission automatically returns to
ordinary automatic transmission
(CVT).
Downshifting with the (left)
paddle shif ter allows you to increase
the engine braking when going down
steep or long hills, and provides
more power when climbing uphills.
You can upshif t the transmission
manually to reduce the rpm.
To cancel the D-paddle shif t mode
manually, pull and hold the side
paddle shif ter until the shif t indicator
goes out.
The transmission remains in the
selected speed if you do not
accelerate.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Driving
277

Each time you pull either paddle
shif ter, the transmission shif ts one
speed up or down. If you want to
shif t up or down more than two
speeds, pull the paddle shif ter twice,
pause, and then pull it again.The automatic transmission (CVT)
will not allow you to shif t if :
The transmission downshif ts to f irst
speed and returns to ordinary
automatic transmission (CVT) when
the vehicle comes to a complete stop
and the vehicle speed is about 6 mph
(10 km/h).
If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator f lashes, the D-paddle shif t
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to ordinary
automatic transmission (CVT).
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher speed. If you try to do this, the shift
indicator will f lash the number of
the lower speed several times,
then return to a higher speed. You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower speed.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pulled.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
278

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With the shif t lever in the S position,
you can select the 7-speed manual
shif t mode to shif t speeds; much like
a manual transmission using the
paddle shif ters, but without a clutch
pedal.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
the ‘‘D’’ to the ‘‘S’’ position and pull
either paddle shif ter, the shif t
indicator displays ‘‘M’’ along with the
selected speed number.
To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter.If you keep depressing the
accelerator pedal without pulling the
paddle shif ter, the speed will be
automatically shifted up just before
the tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
speed when the vehicle speed
reaches 6 mph (10 km/h) or less.
Downshifting with the (left)
paddle shif ter allows you to increase
the engine braking when going down
steep or long hills, and provides
more power when climbing uphills.
You can upshif t the transmission
manually to reduce the rpm.
To enter the 7-speed manual shif t
mode, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, move the
lever to the S position, then pull
either paddle shif ter. To cancel the
7-speed manual shif t mode and
return to the ordinary automatic
transmission (CVT), move the shif t
lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shif t lever, be caref ul not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the 7-speed manual shif t
mode, the transmission will not
automatically return to the ordinary
automatic transmission (CVT).
CONT INUED
On EX models
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the S
position (7-Speed Manual Shif t
Mode)
Driving
279
SHIFT INDICATOR ‘‘M’’ INDICATOR

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à
à
à
à
à
à
The automatic transmission (CVT)
will not allow you to shif t if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower speed.
If you try to do this, the shift
indicator will f lash the number of
the lower speed several times,
then return to a higher speed.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher speed. Drive in the highest speed number
that lets the engine run and
accelerate smoothly. This will give
you ef f ective emissions control. The
f ollowing shif t points are
recommended:
To shift to Low,
pull and hold both paddle shif ters
simultaneously until you see L in the
shift indicator. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
Shif t up 12
23
34
45
56
67 Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
50 mph (81 km/h)
55 mph (89 km/h)
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pulled.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Recommended Shif t Points L (L ow) mode
280

To help maximize f uel economy,
your vehicle has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Depending on
environmental conditions and vehicle
operation, the engine will shut of f
when you come to a stop.The transmission f luid
temperature is low.
When the vehicle is stopped on an
incline.
The windshield def roster is on.
The f an speed is selected to high
(more than f our steps on the
horizontal f an speed indicators).
The IMA battery charge is low.
While the auto idle stop f unction is
activated, the auto idle stop indicator
in the instrument panel blinks (see
page ).
WhentheECONmodeison,the
engine is more likely to stop than
when it is of f (see page ).
The engine will not stop
automatically under the f ollowing
conditions:
The engine automatically stops when
the vehicle comes to a stop with the
shif t lever in the D position and the
brake pedal pressed.
The engine may also stop when
vehicle speed drops below 7 mph (11
km/h) with the brake pedal pressed. Vehicle speed does not go above 9
mph (15 km/h) af ter starting the
engine.The vehicle is stopped with the
shif t position in P, R, S, or L.
The engine coolant temperature is
low. The pointer of the charge/assist
gauge does not move when
accelerating or decelerating. 127
283
CONT INUED
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
281

If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission. Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights. Make sure the windows are closed.
Lock the doors and the hatch.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
LX and EX models
Parking T ips
Parking
284

Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
To activate hill start assist, you must
come to a complete stop and make
sure the shif t lever is in any of D, S
or L (either in D or S on models with
the paddle shif ters) when f acing
uphill, or reverse when f acing
downhill. Release the brake pedal.
Thebrakesremainengagedbriefly
to keep the vehicle f rom rolling
forward or backward while you move
your f oot f rom the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal. Gently apply the
accelerator pedal as in normal
driving. Hill start assist will release
brake pressure gradually as you
accelerate.Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
f or the parking brake. If parking
your vehicle, ensure that the
transmission is in Park, and the
parking brake is f ully applied bef ore
exiting the vehicle. You should also
turn of f the engine bef ore exiting the
vehicle.
The VSA system indicator will come
on when there is a problem in the hill
start assist system. With the VSA
system indicator on, the hill start
assist system will not activate.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.
342
Vehicle St abilit y A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA and Tire Sizes
Hill Start Assist System
Driving
295