brakes HONDA INSIGHT 2010 2.G Owners Manual

If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake
system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ or
‘‘CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine’s f uel system will be
disabled (see page ). This indicator has two f unctions:
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ). Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. Driving with
the parking brake not f ully
released can damage the brakes
and tires.
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the 12 volt battery
is not being charged, and you will
also see a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. For more
inf ormation, see page .
1.2.
404
402
148
126
Instrument Panel Indicators
Immobilizer System
Indicator Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator (Red)
12 Volt Battery Charging
System Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
U.S. Canada
 —
—y


y
)"  y  y
2010 Insight

To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up f ully. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake
indicator on the instrument panel
should go out when the parking
brake is f ully released (see page ).If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a beeper will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
64
Parking Brake
148
PARKING BRAKE LEVER
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and hubs. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is put into gear with the
parking brake on.
 —
—y


y
)"  y 
y
2010 Insight

Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your vehicle speed
increases going down a hill, use the
brakes to slow down. This will cancel
thecruisecontrol.Toresumetheset
speed, press the RES/ACCEL button.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator
on the instrument panel will come
back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
transmission speed may change to
maintain the set vehicle speed.
1.
2. 3.
U.S. EX models and all Canadian modelsUsing the Cruise Control
Cruise Control
256
CANCEL
BUTTON
CRUISE BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
 —
—y


y
)"  y 
y
2010 Insight

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km). In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation f or your vehicle, or
inf ormation on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, contact your dealer or
visit Owner Link at
www.hondacars.
com.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
284
 —
—y
 y
)"  y y
2010 Insight

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.
Although non-Honda accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system (if
equipped).
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
theseareasmayinterferewith
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags. Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
the proper operation of your
vehicle. Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
405
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
293
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
 —
—y
 y
)"  y y
2010 Insight

Î
Î
Some examples are: Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems. Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) .
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability. Lowering your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy. : U.S. models
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
294
 —
—y
  y
)"  y y
2010 Insight

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). ........................
Preparing to Drive .302
.......................
Starting the Engine .303
Ecological Drive Assist System ............................
(Eco Assist .304
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 311
Driving with the Paddle .......................................
Shif ters .316
................................
Auto Idle Stop .321
...........................................
Parking .323
.............................
Braking System .324
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 326
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .328
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 332
...........................
Towing a Trailer .334
Driving
Driving
301
TM)
 —
—y
 
y
)"  y  y
2010 Insight

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.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from 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. Lock the doors.
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.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
323
 —
—y
 y
)"  y y
2010 Insight

Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABShelpsyou
retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
ef f ectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your f oot
of f the accelerator and downshif ting
to a lower speed.
Braking System
324
 —
—y
  y
)"  y y
2010 Insight

The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
The f ollowing f eatures are also
equipped:
When you release the brake pedal
while the Auto Idle Stop f unction is
activated, this f eature keeps the
braking pressure until the engine
starts, and prevents the vehicle from
dropping back.
This f eature helps you apply the
brakes with less f orce during an
emergency braking situation.
Creep Aid System
Brake-Assist
Braking System Design Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
325
 —
—y
 

y
)"  y  y
2010 Insight