| Air
dam |
This
refers to the small downward-curving "ramps" immediately
in front of the front and rear wheels on the Insight. The air
dams direct air downwards to improve airflow around the wheels,
resulting in less aerodynamic drag. |
| AIS |
Auto Idle Stop: A mode
that the Insight commonly enters when stopped or when decelerating
at lower speed. In this mode no fuel is consumed, the gasoline
engine is not turning at all, the wheels are disconnected from
the engine. When in this mode, the engine can be instantly restarted
using the IMA electric motor. Compare with "Fuel Cut Mode". |
| Assist |
This
refers to the additional propulsion power that is provided by
the Insight's large electric motor. When the electric motor is
helping to drive the car, the Assist gauge on the dashboard will
show the degree of electric assist being provided. |
| BCM |
Battery
Condition Monitor: The computer that tracks battery charge
level and determines how much assist or regen should be permitted
at any given moment. These calculations are based on battery voltage,
current and temperature measurements, along with recent battery
use data. |
| Cargo
Well |
The
ice-chest sized storage area at the rear of the Insight, beneath
the floor of the main cargo area. |
| CEL |
Check
Engine Light: A dashboard light that illuminates to indicate
that the main engine control computer has detected a possible
fault with the Insight. |
| DC-DC
converter |
This
module, located beneath the floor of the rear cargo area, converts
the 144 volts provided by the Insight's high voltage battery /
generator, to 12 volts for use by accessories such as lights,
stereo system, horn, windshield wipers, etc. The DC-DC converter
replaces the alternator found in a conventional car. |
| ECM |
Engine
Control Module: The primary computer which controls the Insight's
internal combustion engine, and which communications with other
secondary computer modules. |
| EPS |
Electric
Power Steering: This refers to the Insight's efficient power
steering system, which uses an electric motor to assist in steering
at low speeds. |
| FCD |
Fuel
Consumption Display: This refers to the section of the dashboard
display that shows your current (instantaneous) fuel efficiency
with a bar graph, and also shows your average fuel efficiency
since the last reset in numerical form. The large round FCD button
at the left edge of the dashboard switches between normal FCD
mode, and the "segment" display that allows you to easily
monitor the effects of short-term driving conditions/habits. When
in segment mode, press and hold the FCD button to reset the segment
display. |
| Fuel
Cut Mode |
This
is a mode that the Insight commonly enters when coasting/decelerating,
while the driver's foot is removed from the accelerator pedal,
but before the car enters idle stop mode. In this mode no fuel is injected
into the engine, and spark is turned off. However, the engine's
crankshaft continues to turn as the wheels are still connected
to the engine. In this mode, the engine can be "restarted"
in tiny fraction of a second by turning fuel and spark back on. |
| Head
Unit |
Reference
to the portion of the car's audio system that is installed in
the dash, and which is used to control the overall audio system.
This is in contrast to other portions of the audio system, such
as a trunk-mounted CD changer or external amplifiers. |
| HEV |
Hybrid
Electric Vehicle: This term is used to describe a number
of different types of vehicles, all of which are similar in that
they combine electric and internal combustion engines. The Insight
is an example of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. |
| ICE |
Internal
Combustion Engine: In the Insight this reefers to the conventional
gasoline powered engine, as contrasted with the electric motor. |
| Idle
Stop |
See
"AIS" |
| IMA |
Integrated Motor Assist:
This is Honda's term for the hybrid propulsion system used in
the Insight. This includes the electric motor/generator, 144v
battery pack, controlling electronics and the wiring that connects
them all together. |
| IPU |
Refers
to compartment behind the seats, below the cargo area floor, that
houses various power and control electronics for the electric
portion of the Insight's propulsion system. |
| Lean
Burn |
This
is a mode used by the 5-speed Insight, during light-engine load
conditions such as constant speed cruising. In lean burn mode,
the air-fuel mixture delivered to the engine can contain as little
as half as much fuel as in normal ("stoichiometric")
mode. |
| LRR |
Low
Rolling Resistance (Tires): This referees to the Insight's
tires that are designed to reduce the amount of energy that is
lost as the tires rotate. |
| MCM |
Motor
Control Module: This is the computer that decides how
much assist/regen the Insight's motor/generator should provide
at any given time. The MCM is located below the rear cargo area
floor. |
| MDM |
Motor
Drive Module: This is the module, located below the rear
cargo area floor, which converts power being sent between the
144v battery pack and the electric motor/generator. The MDM receives
commands from the MCM. |
| NiMH |
Nickel Metal Hydride (Battery):
This is the type of cell used in the Insight's 144v battery pack. |
| PCU |
Power
Control Unit: This is the electronics unit located below
the rear cargo area floor that deals with converting high voltage
power from one form to another, as required. The MDM, Heat Sink and DC-DC Converter are collectively
known as the Power Control Unit. |
| Regen |
This
is the mode the Insight enters when the electric motor/generator
is operating as a generator, charging the 144v battery pack. The
Insight uses various degrees of regen when you are decelerating/braking,
or when the battery pack's charge becomes low. The degree of "regen"
is indicated by the charge gauge on the dashboard display. |
| SOC |
State
of Charge: This reefers to how much energy is currently available
in the Insight's 144v battery pack. The current battery state
of charge is shown on the battery level gauge on the dashboard
display. |
| Strake |
This
refers to the sections of vertical body panel that extend downwards
and slightly outwards at the very bottom of the Insight, which
serve to limit the amount of air flow that "leaks" under
the car, in order to improve aerodynamics. |
| VTEC |
Variable-Timing
& lift, Electronically Controlled: This is Honda's term
for their technology that adjusts the amount that intake/exhaust
valves are opened based on the current engine speed. The Insight
uses a variation of the VTEC system that Honda calls VTEC-E ("E" standing
for efficiency), that operates only on the intake valves. |
| Wheel
Skirt |
This
refers to the removable covers that enclose the rear wheels to
improve aerodynamics |
