HONDA INSIGHT 2004 1.G Owners Manual

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Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page f or tire size explanation.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Honda dealer. Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
194
196
Tires
Maint enance
Wheels and T ires Winter Driving
158
14x51/2JJ
P165/65R14 78S
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners on the f ront
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving condition or local
laws.Makesuretheyarethecorrect
size f or your tires. Metal link-type
‘‘chains’’ should not be used.
When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Tires
Maint enance
Snow T ires
T ire Chains
159
NOTICE:Traction devices that are the
wrong size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.

µ
Check the condition of your vehicle’s
12 volt battery monthly by looking at
the test indicator window. The label
on the battery explains the test
indicator’s colors. Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Honda dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Checking the Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
160
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed manual) or Park (CVT).
Block the rear wheels. If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the 12 volt battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, suchas plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Reconnect the 12 volt battery and
drive your vehicle every month f or
about 30 minutes. This will keep
the IMA battery charged and in
good condition.
If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/30,000 miles (48,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 127
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance161

162

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .164
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .165
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 171
................................
Jump Starting .173
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 175
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 177
..........
Charging System Indicator . 178
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 178
...............
Brake System Indicator . 180
......................
Emergency Towing .181
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 182
..............................................
Fuses .183
..............................
Fuse Locations .186
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed163

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the compact spare tire
inf lation pressure every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving.
Do not mount snow chains on it.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel. Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed164
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa)

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Reverse (5-speed
manual) or Park (CVT). Apply the
parking brake.
Open the hatch. Raise the cargo
area f loor by lif ting up on the back
edge.
Remove the storage box from the
cargo area well.
Take the tool kit f rom the spare
tire well. Remove the jack (in the
jack cover) f rom the inside of the
spare tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators, and turn the ignition
switch to LOCK (0). Have your
passenger get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
2.
3. 1.
4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed165
FLOOR BOARDTOOL KIT
STORAGE BOX
SPARE TIRE
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Rear tire only:
Use the end of the extension or a
f lat-tipped screwdriver to loosen
the two stud f asteners holding the
rear wheel skirt.Pull the rear wheel skirt
downward.
Do not catch your clothes or
hands on the hooks on the rear
f ender when you replace the
wheel.Remove the center cap from the
wheel with the end of the
extension or a f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel wrench.
1.
2.3.
4.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed166
REAR WHEEL SKIRT
STUD
FASTENER CENTER CAP

CONT INUED
Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change. It is pointed to by an
arrow molded into the underside
of the body. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
restinginthejacknotch.Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire. Handle the
wheel nuts caref ully; they may be
hot f rom driving. Place the f lat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.
5.
6.7.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed167
JACKING POINT WHEEL WRENCH EXTENSION