Honda Insight (2019 year). Instruction - part 29

447

Driving

Towing a Trailer

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your 
warranties.

Towing Your Vehicle

Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motorhome. If your vehicle needs 
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.

2 Emergency Towing P. 648

448

Driving

When Driving

Turning on the Power

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

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The parking brake indicator (red) comes 
on for 30 seconds when you pull up the 
electric parking brake switch.

2. Depress the brake pedal.

1

Turning on the Power

Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when 
starting the power system.

The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in 
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 
meters).

When turning on the power system in cold weather, 
turn off all electrical accessories such as the lights, 
climate control system, and rear defogger in order to 
reduce 12-volt battery drain.

If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold, 
an engine block heater will improve starting and 
warming of the engine. Consult a dealer for details.

If exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can smell 
exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with 
the engine or exhaust system.

The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from 
theft.
If an improperly coded key (or other device) is used, 
the power system does not activate.

2 Immobilizer System P. 183

When you turn the power system on, you may feel 
the brake pedal slightly sink down. This is normal.

Electric Parking Brake Switch

Brake Pedal

Continued

449

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When Driving

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Turning on the Power

Driving

3. Press the POWER button without 

depressing the accelerator pedal.

4. Check the READY indicator.

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Keep depressing the brake pedal until 
the READY indicator comes on.

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The READY indicator comes on when 
the power system is on and you can start 
driving.

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If the outside temperature is extremely 
low, you cannot drive until conditions are 
improved. In this case, the READY 
indicator does not come on and a 
warning message appears on the driver 
information interface.

2 Driver Information Interface 

Warning and Information Messages 
P. 102

You can turn the power system off when the vehicle is completely stopped.

1. Put the transmission into 

(

P.

2. Press the POWER button.

■

Stopping the Power System

1

Turning on the Power

Bring the remote close to the POWER button if the 
battery in the remote is weak.

2 If the Remote Battery is Weak P. 626

The power system may not activate if the remote is 
subjected to strong radio waves.

The engine may not run when the vehicle is ready for 
driving.
You can start driving with the READY indicator on.
If you press the POWER button while depressing the 
brake pedal with the READY indicator on, the power 
mode is set to VEHICLE OFF and you cannot start 
driving.

2 READY Indicator P. 86

Do not hold the POWER button to start the power 
system.
If the power system does not start, set the power 
mode to OFF and wait at least 30 seconds before 
trying again.

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When Driving

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Turning on the Power

450

Driving

You can remotely turn the power system on using the 

 button on the remote.

■

To turn the power system on

The power system is on for up to 10 minutes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the time for another 10 minutes during the first 10 minutes, press the 

 button, then press and hold the 

 button.

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Some exterior lights flash six times if a 10-minute extension request was 
transmitted successfully.

■

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback

*

1

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback

*

The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote engine start, check your 
local laws.

If there are buildings and obstacles between your 
vehicle and the remote, the range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical 
interference.
The power system may not be turned on by the 
remote engine start if:

•

You have disabled a remote engine start setting 
using the audio/information screen.

•

The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF.

•

The transmission is in a position other than 

(

P.

•

The hood is open, or any door or the trunk is 
unlocked.

3

WARNING

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic and can 
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly 
enclosed areas.

Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and 
even kill you.

Never use the remote engine starter with 
the vehicle parked in a garage or other 
areas with limited ventilation.

Press the 

 button, then press and hold 

the  

button.

Some exterior lights flash once.

Go within the range, 
and try again.

LED: Blinks when any button is pressed.

Some exterior lights flash six 
times if the power system 
turns on successfully.

Some exterior lights will not 
flash if the power system 
turns on unsuccessfully.

* Not available on all models

Continued

451

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When Driving

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Turning on the Power

Driving

■

To turn the power system off

1

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback

*

•

You have already used the remote twice to turn the 
power system on.

•

Another registered remote is in the vehicle.

•

There is any antenna failure.

•

The door is unlocked with the built-in key.

•

The engine oil pressure is low.

•

The engine coolant temperature is extremely high.

•

The telematics unit

*

 malfunctions.

•

The security system alarm is not set.

The power system may be turned off while it is 
running if:

•

You do not start the vehicle within 10 minutes of 
turning the power system on with the remote.

•

The power system is turned off by using the 
remote.

•

The security system alarm is activated.

•

The door is unlocked with the built-in key.

•

The hood is open.

•

The engine coolant temperature is extremely high.

•

The 12-volt battery is low.

•

The engine oil pressure is low.

•

The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) comes on if 
there is a problem with the emissions control 
systems.

•

You press the POWER button without depressing 
the brake pedal.

•

The transmission is in a position other than 

(

P.

Press and hold the 

 

button for one second.

Go within the range, 
and try again.

The exterior lights flash once if the power system turned off 
successfully.

The exterior lights will not flash when the remote is out of 
the smart entry system range.
The power system will not be turned off.

* Not available on all models

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When Driving

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Turning on the Power

452

Driving

1

Remote Engine Start with Vehicle Feedback

*

While the power system is on, the vehicle will 
automatically precondition inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:

•

The climate control system is activated in auto 
mode.

When it is cold outside:

•

The defroster is activated at a moderately warm 
temperature.

•

The rear defogger and door mirror heaters are 
activated.

•

The seat heaters

*

 are activated.

2 Front Seat Heaters

*

 P. 223

* Not available on all models

453

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When Driving

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Turning on the Power

Driving

1. Depress the brake pedal and press the POWER button simultaneously.

2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, check that the READY indicator is on, 

then press the 

(

D button. Select 

(

R when reversing. 

3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the 

accelerator pedal.

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Make sure the parking brake indicator (red) goes off.

2 Parking Brake P. 531
2 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along with the Warning 

Message P. 641

■

Hill start assist system

Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from 
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

Put the transmission into 

(

D when facing uphill, or 

(

R when facing downhill, then 

release the brake pedal.

■

Starting to Drive

1

Starting to Drive

The power system is off when the transmission 
position is changed from 

(

P before the POWER 

button is pressed. Follow step 1 when starting to 
drive.

You can also release the parking brake by pressing 
the electric parking brake switch while depressing the 
brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle 
more smoothly by manually releasing it with the 
electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with 
the accelerator pedal.

As a hybrid vehicle, the sounds and vibrations from 
the engine may be absent even though the vehicle is 
ready for driving. It also makes you fail to recognize 
that you can start.
Make sure to check if the READY indicator is on 
before you start to drive.

When the power system is turned on using the 

 

button on the remote

When the power system is turned on using the 

 button on the remote

When the power system is turned on in any case

1

Hill start assist system

Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from 
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and 
will not operate on small inclines.

Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking 
brake.

454

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When Driving

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Precautions While Driving

Driving

Precautions While Driving

Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the power 
system or driveline, or cause electrical component failure.

If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location. 
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.

■

In Rain

■

Other Precautions

1

Precautions While Driving

NOTICE

Do not change the transmission while pressing the 
accelerator pedal. You could damage the 
transmission.

NOTICE

If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an 
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in 
the full left or right position for a while, the electric 
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system 
goes into a protective mode, and limits its 
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder 
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down, 
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can 
eventually damage the system.

If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while 
driving, the power system will shut down and all 
steering and brake power assist functions will stop, 
making it difficult to control the vehicle.

Do not put the transmission into 

(

N, as you will lose 

regenerative braking (and acceleration) performance.

During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, 
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so 
as not to damage the power system or powertrain.

Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are 
replaced.

455

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When Driving

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Precautions While Driving

Driving

1

Precautions While Driving

NOTICE

The following can damage the under spoiler:

•

Parking the vehicle by a parking block

•

Parallel parking along the road shoulder

•

Driving towards the bottom of a hill

•

Driving up or down to a different surface level 
(such as a road shoulder)

•

Driving on a rutted or bumpy road

•

Driving on a road with potholes

456

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When Driving

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Transmission

Driving

Transmission

As with a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle with an automatic transmission, 
this vehicle will creep.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.

The accelerator pedal is equipped with a kickdown switch. When you depress the 
accelerator pedal to the point at which the switch is activated, the vehicle will 
suddenly accelerate with greater power, similar to what happens in a vehicle 
equipped with an automatic transmission.

■

Creeping

■

Kickdown

457

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When Driving

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Shifting

Continued

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift button positions

1

Shifting

While the High Voltage battery level is full, or the 
High Voltage battery temperature is low, 
regenerative braking may become less effective.

To prevent malfunction and unintended 
engagement:

•

Do not spill any liquids on or around shift buttons.

•

Do not place or drop any objects on or around shift 
buttons.

•

Do not let passengers or children operate the shift 
buttons.

You may occasionally find that it takes longer than 
usual for the vehicle to start moving when you select 

(

R, release the brake pedal, and/or depress the 

accelerator pedal. This may occur when the High 
Voltage battery level is extremely low, and does not 
indicate a vehicle malfunction.

3

WARNING

The vehicle can roll away if left unattended 
without confirming that Park is engaged.

A vehicle that rolls away could cause a crash 
resulting in serious injury or death.

Always keep your foot on the brake pedal 
until you have confirmed that 

(

P

 is shown 

on the shift position indicator.

Park
Used when parking, before turning off or 
starting the power system
Transmission is locked

Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Transmission is not locked

Drive
Used for:
Normal driving

●

The deceleration paddle selector can be used 
temporarily.
The deceleration paddle selector can be used 
when SPORT mode is on.

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When Driving

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Shifting

458

Driving

■

(

P (parking) button

The shift position changes to 

(

P when you 

press the 

(

P button while the vehicle is 

parked with the power mode in ON.
The indicators on the sides of the 

(

P button 

come on.

1

Shifting

The beeper sounds and a message appears on the 
driver information interface when you depress the 
accelerator pedal with the transmission in 

(

N.

Put the transmission into 

(

D or 

(

R with the brake 

pedal depressed.

When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures 
(−22°F/−30°C), there may be a short delay before the 
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you 
are in the correct gear before driving.

(

P Button

Continued

459

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Operation

1

Shift Operation

NOTICE

When you change 

(

D to 

(

R and vice versa, come to 

a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift button before the vehicle has 
come to a complete standstill can damage the 
transmission.

Use the shift position indicator and the shift button 
indicator to check the shift position before selecting a 
shift button.

If the indicator of the currently selected shift position, 
or all the shift position indicators are blinking 
simultaneously, there is a problem with the 
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission 
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The beeper sounds once when you change to 

(

R.

2 Customized Features P. 366

Press the 

(

P button.

Press back the 

(

R button.

Press the 

(

N button.

Press the 

(

D button.

Shift Button Indicator

Shift Position Indicator

Deceleration Paddle 
Selector Indicator

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When Driving

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Shifting

460

Driving

■

When opening the driver’s door

If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the shift position 
automatically changes to 

(

P;

• The vehicle is stationary with the power mode in ON, or moving at 1 mph (2 km/h) 

or slower.

• The transmission is in other than 

(

P.

• You have unfastened the driver side seat belt.

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If you manually put the transmission from 

(

P with the brake pedal depressed, 

the transmission will automatically return to 

(

P once you release the brake 

pedal.

■

When turning off the power mode

If you turn the power system off while the vehicle is stationary, and the transmission 
is in other than 

(

P, the shift position automatically changes to 

(

P.

1

When opening the driver’s door

While the system is designed to automatically change 
the shift position to 

(

P under the described 

conditions, in the interest of safety you should always 
select 

(

P before opening the driver's door.

Make sure to park the vehicle in a safe place.

2 When Stopped P. 541

If you want to drive the vehicle after the shift position 
has automatically changed to 

(

P under the described 

conditions, close the door, fasten the seat belt, 
depress the brake pedal, then change the shift 
position.

If you leave the vehicle, turn off the power system 
and lock the doors.

Continued

461

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N position [car wash mode]

With the power system on:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Press and release the 

(

N button. 

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(

N (Neutral) hold mode will appear on the driver information interface.

3. Press the 

(

N button again and hold it for two seconds.

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The vehicle will enter car wash mode, which must be used when your vehicle 
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an 
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.

If the POWER button is pressed after car wash 
mode has been activated, the power mode 
will change to ACCESSORY and a message 
will be displayed on the driver information 
interface.

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For 15 minutes the transmission remains 
in 

(

N with the power mode will remain 

in ACCESSORY. After that, the 
transmission automatically changes to 

(

P and the power mode changes to OFF.

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Manually changing to 

(

P cancels 

ACCESSORY mode. The 

(

P indicator 

comes on and the power mode changes 
to OFF. You must always put the 
transmission into 

(

P when car wash 

mode is no longer needed.

1

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N position [car wash 

mode]

To keep the vehicle in 

(

N position, you can also 

follow this procedure: 
While the power mode is on, select 

(

N, and then 

within five seconds, press the POWER button.

Note that the transmission may not stay in 

(

N 

position while any of the following indicators is on:

•

Transmission system indicator.

•

Malfunction indicator lamp.

•

Charging system indicator.

462

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

■

Restriction on selecting a shift position

You cannot select a shift position under certain circumstances that may lead to a crash.

When the transmission 
is in:

1. Under the 
circumstances of that:

2. You cannot select:

3. The transmission 
remains in/changes to:

How to change 
the transmission

(

P

The brake pedal is not 
depressed.

Other transmission

(

P

Release the 
accelerator pedal 
and depress the 
brake pedal.

The accelerator pedal is 
depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at 
low speed without the 
brake pedal depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at 
low speed with the 
accelerator pedal 
depressed.

(

N

 or (

D

The vehicle is moving 
forward.

(

R

Stop your vehicle in 
a safe place, depress 
the brake pedal, and 
select the 
appropriate 
transmission.

(

R

 or (

N

The vehicle is moving 
backward.

(

D

(

R

, (

N

 or (

D

The vehicle is moving.

(

P

(

P

 or (

N

The READY indicator is not 
on.

A shift position other than 

(

P or 

(

N

(

P

 or (

N

Make sure that the 
READY indicator 
comes on.