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Honda Insight Maintenance and Repair

90 messages,  Last post on Dec 27, 2004 at 8:31 PM

You are in the Honda Insight Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars

Messages Page 8 of 10

#68 of 90 Re: Questions about Insight [crowheart] by carandbri

Mar 14, 2011 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: crowheart (Mar 14, 2011 7:59 am)
I just bought a 2011 Honda Insight on Friday. I've been test-driving many different makes and models looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle and I suggest you do the same. There is never a certain outcome to any decision so at times you've got to just go for it. I find that the driving experience in the Insight is outstanding. I feel like I'm driving a race car, not an economy vehicle. Getting on the freeways or accelerating in other situations is no problem. The EX model that I got has, a Sport mode for manual shifting via the paddle shifters, which provide for a very responsive experience. I purchased the extended warranty on this vehicle, which I don't usually do but since it is my first hybrid I felt more comfortable doing so. Make sure when you are reading the various online forums you are clear as to which generation of Insight the posts are referring to; it can get a bit confusing. Good Luck!

#69 of 90 Re: Mileage drop after oxygen sensor replacement [Ogre_GEV] by genericaccount

Mar 14, 2011 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: Ogre_GEV (Jan 22, 2010 3:44 pm)
I like that car

#70 of 90 Re: Questions about Insight [carandbri] by quigz

Mar 18, 2011 (5:25 am)

Replying to: carandbri (Mar 14, 2011 3:51 pm)
I don't mean to get off topic here. I got the 2010 Honda Insight, and I am adding solar panels to increase the miles per gallon - although I am worried aboput tapping into the IMA battery and voiding the warranty.
 
If anyone is interested, you can track my progress here:
http://quigzsolarideas.blogspot.com

#71 of 90 Re: Questions about Insight [quigz] by Ogre_GEV

Mar 18, 2011 (6:02 am)

Replying to: quigz (Mar 18, 2011 5:25 am)
By my calculations, your 5W 12V charger would take about 1,500 hours to charge your battery, or about 4 months of sunny days. I'm not even sure if it could keep up with the overnight charge loss due to the normal self-discharge rate of the cells.
 
But, the HV battery is disconnected from the circuit when the key is off, so you will charge your 12v battery and nothing more.
 
To effectively charge one of these batteries, you need a collector the size of the roof of a house - a large house.

#72 of 90 Honda Insight Wet Seat Belts by margeauxl1

May 21, 2011 (8:03 am)

Water is leaking into my Insight's seat belt area, somehow, making the seatbelts soaked and wet. Does anyone have any tips as to how to get this problem fixed? Will the Honda Customer Care Package cover this? Thanks!

#73 of 90 Re: Honda Insight Wet Seat Belts [margeauxl1] by jbinsight

May 23, 2011 (7:49 am)

Replying to: margeauxl1 (May 21, 2011 8:03 am)
hi margeauxl1
 
check out insight central, lots of people with this problem including me. Mine was caused when i had my windshield replaced by a non-honda place and when they took of the molding/trim above the door they broke of some of the plastic clips which let the water channel down the door pannel where the seat belt assembly is. Also i had the roof repainted and when they removed the liner they found a few other leak areas. ill cut and paste some of the other comments from insight central below. good luck
 
have had the same wet seat belt problem. yesterday my honda dealer found the problem in my 2000 model insight. they said it was leaking from the roof molding clip. they had to remove some interior trim and seal it. i am happy to say it worked. last night it came a gully washer and the seat belt was dry this morning. hope this helps
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307&postdays=0&postorder=asc- &highlight=water+leak&start=15
The dealership did a water leak test and eventually found the culprit. The top "A" pillar trim clip will allow water to enter the body and drain into the "B" pillar and soak the seat belt retractor mechanism.
 
The clip is white and is at the very top of the roof and is the last one before the "A" pillar trim ends at the top before the rear window. My dealership used windshield adhesive/sealer to seal this clip into place. All of the white plastic clips under the "A" pillar trim piece have a thin rubber washer to seal out water, but the ones I got to see were squashed flat and didn't look like they would block out the water.
 
So far no more wet seat belt. If and when the other side ever gets wet I know exactly what to ask to be done. Overall the experience was a PITA, but i'm glad the leak is fixed.
 
 WARNING:
Don't let the dealership butcher your "A" pillar. The service technician who worked on my trim piece buggered up the paint on my fender and under the trim piece while taking it off. They gave me back my car while they waited for parts and I spotted all of the paint damage. Luckly my dealership is pretty cool and they fixed it at NO charge when I complained. Ask your service advisor to make sure that they read the service manual befor removing this trim piece and they are trained on servicing the Insight.
 
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307&postdays=0&postorder=asc- &highlight=water+leak&start=15
I have had this problem on my 2000 model year insight. The problem originally ocurred back in February of 2003 but took a few tries to diagnose. The dealer tried everything and finally had to call Honda tech support to determine that the leak was happening under the A pillar retaining clips. They also had to replace the seatbelt as it smelled very bad.
 
After the first hard rain of this season the problem seems to be back. My carpet and under padding is totally thrashed this time and the entire car stinks of mold. When I discovered the problem the car had been at the airport for four days in the rain. Since the car is still in warranty I am insisting that the Honda dealer take care of not only the leak but the bad smell. They have agreed to replace the carpet padding and steam clean the carpet. I am taking the car in for service on November 11th. Hopefully they can fix the problem this time as having a stinky car is getty really old
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307&postdays=0&postorder=asc- &highlight=water+leak&start=30
 
I just want to add my 2 cents worth... the main clips that cause the leaking are the very first ones... right up above each passenger door. Right where the panels connect. If you put silicone eg.. around these clips it will stop the leaking into the seatbelt area... hope that helps
 
I've read all the posts here and here's my 2 cents worth...
 
I had the same issue wet seatbelt etc.. So I had my Honda dealer show me the famous A pillar plastic seal .. and I guess the easy fix for me was they opened up the side area where the seal is put some silicon around it and vioal problem fixed... hth
 
You sure you got the correct clips? The a pillar clips is the very first one you'll see when you peel back the panel. The other clips are more forward than those and if you notice they are alos on a decline so the water will move further down the car... those are the source problem clips.. You may need to lift them a bit and make sure silicone is completely sealing them. Should fix your issue...
 
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307&postdays=0&postorder=asc- &highlight=water+leak&start=45
photos
 
My 2005 Insight spent 4 days at the Honda dealer to repair the wet seat belt problem. They actually found three leaks, first one at the trim clips that have been mentioned here, the second one at the left side roof seal and the last one at the rear hatchback. All were covered under the warranty. As good luck would have it, we had a torrential rain the day after picking the car up and she remained dry. The Honda dealer had never experienced a wet seat belt problem before, but added the rear hatchback leak has been a problem source. I had not noticed any water in the back, but glad they did as I only have 4 months left on warranty
 
have a 2000 manual 5 spd and I too am/was having the problem with the driver side seat belt getting wet and smelling after a heavy rain storm. I decided to remove the plastic grey plastic interior cover. I sat inside while I had someone run water hose on top of the car. I noticed a small water drip coming right above the seat belt retractor. I then noticed what the honda insight service manual calls a protector that is a clear plastic behind the seat belt retractor. I then noticed that the plastic protector double sided tape/rubber seal was broken lose. The rubber seal was not totally sealed around the metal which i think the water might be leaking into. This was about a year ago. I just removed the grey plastic interior cover, to help air out the seat belt retractor, and have not noticed much problems yet. But I still need to looking into the problem and fix it. I will use some of the post as a guide for this problem that I have noticed that the problem might be coming from the clip

#74 of 90 Re: Honda Insight Wet Seat Belts [margeauxl1] by hondagodzilla

Jun 16, 2011 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: margeauxl1 (May 21, 2011 8:03 am)
I have the same problem. I have a 2010 insight.
When I call he dealer that I purchased it from, I get nothing but the round around. They claim no one else has this problem and after having my car all DAY long they said there was no problem.(said they ran under a heavy car wash)
 
I asked to speak with the Dublin Honda Owner, Ken Harvey. Ironically, the shuttle driver said he is there every day, but when I asked to speak with him, he is not available.I finally spoke with a Service repair supervisor and he agreed to get me a rental car and give him and his staff the opportunity to check it out tomorrow again. We'll see if they even move the car from its present location.
 
The Patt answer is "its under warranty, bring it back..." they don't realize people have to work to make the Honda payments.
 
I am furious with this Honda Dealership. My advise: Don't buy Honda

#75 of 90 Low MPG on 2010 Honda Insight by lsmookler

Sep 10, 2011 (12:00 pm)

Within the last 4 months my millage has dropped from 47mpg to 35. Granted I do live in Houston Texas and the weather has been extremly warm. Would using the air conditioner cause the millage to drop. What else would cause it to drop a good 12mpg? How can I increase the millage to 47-50 mpg. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank You,
Lewis
 

#76 of 90 First Oil Change by johnobvious

Oct 11, 2011 (8:09 am)

Bought my 2011 Insight back in March and everything going great. The one thing I am a little worried about is the first oil change. Have almost 4,500 miles and the display is telling me I still have 50% life. I am far from a 3,000, 3 month guy but I am looking at well over 8,000 miles before my first change. Is this normal? Mostly city driving but I am super easy on it and have been getting about 45 per since I got it.

#77 of 90 Re: First Oil Change [johnobvious] by sandman_6472

Oct 13, 2011 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: johnobvious (Oct 11, 2011 8:09 am)
Follow the oil minder that's in your car...it's there for a reason. I felt the same way when I got my Civic back in '06 but I waited till the minder got to 15% to swap out the oil & filter. Was told the break in oil has a special formula and to wait till it gets to 15% to change it...so I did. Have to believe the engineers who built the car knew what they were doing. And 45 ain't to bad!
 
The Sandman

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