TechSpec: 2010 Honda Insight

The completely new Insight hybrid from Honda went on sale last year as a 2010 model. Though it retains the same name as the two-door subcompact hybrid Honda sold in the United States from 1999 through 2006, the new five-door compact Insight is a direct shot across the bow of Toyota’s best-selling Prius hybrid, going so far as to appear very similar to the Prius. (Interesting note: Honda sold less than 18,000 of the original Insight models worldwide, even though it was the first hybrid vehicle to be sold in North America.)

The Insight features Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system, which pairs a single overhead cam, two-valve 1.3L inline four cylinder engine with a small brushless DC electric motor inserted between the engine and the car’s continuously variable transmission, the only transmission option available. The tiny gas engine generates 98 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque on its own, while the electric motor can chip in an additional 13 horsepower and 58 pound-feet of torque when needed, sending that power to the car’s front wheels. The scant horsepower and torque may not sound like much, but they’re adequate to propel a car that tips the scales at a svelte 2,700 pounds, one of the main reasons the Insight returns fuel mileage figures of 40 miles per gallon in city driving and 43 mpg on the highway.

The Insight comes withan interactive driver education system called “Eco Assist.” In its most basic mode, the car informs the driver of its fuel economy by changing the background lighting on the speedometer from green (indicating very efficient driving) to blue (indicating less efficient driving). An “Eco Guide” on the car’s multi information display (MID) tells drivers if they’re accelerating and braking too hard. Drivers are also awarded an “eco score” during each trip, and in what has to be an industry first, drivers can even progress through different levels of eco-driving “proficiency,” with the Insight handing out bigger and bigger “awards” as a driver reaches various performance parameters — which sounds like a good idea until someone watching intently to see if the little plant displayed on the MID has grown another leaf is too distracted to notice the bus full of nuns in their path and plows into them! Finally, drivers can also push the “ECON” button on the dash, which will automatically engage fuel-saving features like earlier idle-stop engagement, smoother throttle inputs (the car’s throttle is “drive by wire” with no physical connection between driver and throttle) and CVT operation, and more efficient air conditioning and cruise control modes.

The Insight is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and EX with Navigation. The LX starts at $19,800 and, in addition to all the hybrid bells and whistles, features a 160-watt stereo complete with MP3 jack. The LX rides on 15-inch steel wheels wearing wheel covers and features 175/65R15 low-rolling-resistance tires. The EX starts at $21,300 and features heated mirrors, cruise control, paddle shifters and Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control. The EX rides on the same size tires as the LX, but features up-scale 15-inch alloy wheels. Finally, the EX with Navigation comes with, as its name implies, Honda’s satellite-linked navigation system, as well as a Bluetooth cell phone interface, all for the bargain price of $23,100. A driver interested in loading up with accessories like front underbody spoiler ($345), rear underbody spoiler (also $345) and fog lights ($439), to name just a few, can easily push the Insight EX+Nav’s sticker to more than $25,000.

Servicing the Insight
Like most Honda vehicles, the Insight is equipped with Honda’s Maintenance Minder system, which displays engine oil life and maintenance service items on the information display or MID, depending on model, to show drivers when they need to have service performed. Engine oil life is displayed in 10 percent increments down to 20 percent, whereupon it scales down in 5 percent increments.

To see the vehicle’s current engine oil life, turn the ignition switch to the ON position and press the select/reset knob on the steering wheel repeatedly until the oil life display appears in the MID. When the engine oil life remaining dips below 15 percent, the maintenance minder indicator (a wrench icon) and the message “SERVICE DUE SOON” will come on every time the vehicle is turned on; also displayed will be the engine oil life remaining and the maintenance item code(s) for other scheduled maintenance items needing service. (These codes indicate any other maintenance needs the vehicle may have.)

When the engine oil life remaining dips below 6 percent, drivers will see a “SERVICE DUE NOW” message, along with the service maintenance item codes. The message can be extinguished by switching the information display.

When the remaining engine oil life is 0 percent, the drivers will see a “SERVICE PAST DUE” message. The message will flash every 10 miles, and the total past-due mileage will be indicated in the MID.

To reset the Engine Oil Life Display:
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON.
2. Press the select/reset button repeatedly until the engine oil life is displayed.
3. Press the select/reset knob for about 10 seconds. The engine oil life and maintenance item code(s) will blink.
4. Press the select/reset knob for another five seconds. The maintenance item code(s) will disappear and the engine oil life will reset to “100.”

To reset the Engine Oil Life Display on Touring models:
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON.
2. Press the SEL/RESET button on the steering wheel until you see the engine oil life displayed.
3. Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for more than 10 seconds. The remaining engine oil life reset mode will be shown on the MID.
4. Select RESET by pressing the INFO (arrows) button, then press the SEL/RESET button to reset the system. The maintenance item codes will disappear and the engine oil life will reset to 100 percent.

Honda’s Maintenance Minder system displays the vehicle’s maintenance needs in a series of codes. The coded string will begin with the letter “A” or “B” to indicate the maintenance main item, followed by one or more of the numerals “1” through “6” to indicate the maintenance sub items.

Maintenance Main Items
Maintenance main item “A” indicates the vehicle requires an oil change (though Honda does not require an oil filter change at every “A” service). Maintenance main item “B” indicates the vehicle requires the following services:
• Replace engine oil and filter.
• Inspect front and rear brakes.
• Check parking brake adjustment.
• Inspect tie-rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
• Inspect suspension components.
• Inspect driveshaft boots.
• Inspect brake hoses and lines.
• Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect fuel lines and connections. Honda does note that engine oil should be changed every 12 months even if the SERVICE message has not appeared.

Maintenance Sub Items
Honda uses the following numerals to indicate the following services are required.
“1”:
• Rotate tires.
“2”:
• Replace air cleaner element. (Note: Honda recommends replacing the element every 15,000 miles or 24,000 km if the vehicle is driven in dusty conditions.)
• Replace dust and pollen filter. (Note: Honda recommends replacing filter every 15,000 miles or 24,000 km if the vehicle is driven in urban areas with high concentrations of soot from industry and diesel vehicles.)
• Inspect drive belt.
“3”:
• Replace transmission fluid.
“4”:
• Replace spark plugs.
• Inspect valve clearance.
“5”:
• Replace engine coolant.
Miscellaneous Items
• Honda recommends replacing brake fluid every three years, regardless of mileage or maintenance messages in the information display.
• Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles/256,000 km.

Fluids and Capacities
Motor oil — 0W-20 motor oil. Note that while Honda does not require synthetic motor oil, it does require motor oil meeting “API Premium” standards. Capacity with filter is 3.4 quarts (3.2 liters).
CVT fluid — Honda CVT Fluid or equivalent. Capacity (change only) is 3.0 quarts (2.8 liters). Note: CVT fluid level must be checked with engine off but at normal operating temperature. Honda recommends starting car until cooling fan comes on, then shutting engine off and waiting 60 seconds before checking fluid level.
Coolant — Honda Long-life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 or equivalent. Capacity is 1.2 gallons (4.55 liters).
Brake fluid — Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT3 or equivalent. DOT 4 may be used as a temporary replacement.