Hello new here =]

[delsol7]

My name is Eric and I just purchased 2002 Insight.
My head is already filled up with owner's manual... hehe
Well, I'd like to hear some personal experiences and improvements.
Most importantly... How do I get to change the IMA battery with warranty? =p

[boogetyboogety]

Welcome, and congratulations. Your Search function is your friend, there's tons of information here that will help you bet the most out of your unique vehicle. Here's a quick start for your question:

P1447 = new battery

In other words: No code... no free battery. Search and read... good luck!

[ac7ss]

Welcome to the club.

Read the encyclopedia, a little easier to comprehend than the manual. And there is a fact sheet in there somewhere.

Important: Learn to remove/replace the rear wheel covers correctly. You don't want to lose them, they can be very difficult to replace. Some people here have replaced the locking screws with zip-ties for better security.

The best thing to learn after that is how the climate control affects your mpg.

Have fun.

BTW: is it a Manual or CVT?

[delsol7]

Thanks everyone!!!

Sadly it's CVT. I couldn't find manual in local area with right price.

Now, my car has cruise control buttons and even manual doesn't have information about cruise control. lol...
I searched forum but seems like there is no discussion about how to use.

Also anyone know where I can find rear decals? I looked into majestic honda but no luck.

[joecvt]

Originally Posted by delsol7

Sadly it's CVT. I couldn't find manual in local area with right price.

As a proud CVT owner, I'll help you out anyway

Originally Posted by delsol7

Now, my car has cruise control buttons and even manual doesn't have information about cruise control. lol...
I searched forum but seems like there is no discussion about how to use.

Cruise control for the Insight (gen1) was never available (standard or optional).....What you have is an aftermarket cruise control. More than likely, a Rostra version with RF remote buttons mounted on the steering wheel. They kind of match the "D" and "S" drive mode buttons also mounted on the steering wheel so it makes the cruise control look like a stock item.

Originally Posted by delsol7

Also anyone know where I can find rear decals? I looked into majestic honda but no luck.

That is an indication that the car has been possibly rear ended since all gen 1 Insights have these decals. Here is a direct link to the Majestic Honda page that shows the rear decals:

Honda Automotive Parts

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[delsol7]

Originally Posted by joecvt

As a proud CVT owner, I'll help you out anyway



Cruise control for the Insight (gen1) was never available (standard or optional).....What you have is an aftermarket cruise control. More than likely, a Rostra version with RF remote buttons mounted on the steering wheel. They kind of match the "D" and "S" drive mode buttons also mounted on the steering wheel so it makes the cruise control look like a stock item.



That is an indication that the car has been possibly rear ended since all gen 1 Insights have these decals. Here is a direct link to the Majestic Honda page that shows the rear decals:

Honda Automotive Parts

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Hello, JoeCVT =]

I actually had several question about your MIMA. Before that...
The rear decals are there. It's just that they are bit worn off. Kind of peeling off.
I did find the same diagram that you just linked. but the rear decal has part number but it's not one of the 1~6 listed on there. B-52-10 is not under the listed prices.

Anyhow, regarding your MIMA. I'm considering to purchase one. How much of more mileage are you pulling off from it? I'm currently getting 54 mpg so far.

Thanks for your time to reply. =]

[joecvt]

Sorry about the previous link to Majestic Honda. I should have checked the lower area of the page. You are right, they are not on that page but I know that I saw them before so I looked again. They are here:

Honda Automotive Parts

Items 17 18 and 19 (not sure if you want all of them or just one or two).

As for MIMA: It is hard to tell how much MPG you will gain because part of the equation is based on terrain and your own driving style. I use the original "home made" limited version of MIMA called MIMA_L. Since I don't have clutch pedal, I put a foot pedal near that area (a little up higher) for MIMA activation. I only use the assist portion of MIMA on very slight inclines. I found that by using only about 4 bars of assist on slight inclines does not use much battery so it does not have to be recharged as much.....I don't have long hills where I can regen and get the battery to full on the way downhill. In fact, my SOC rarely drops down more than two bars.

If you use MIMA as intended with disabling background charging and performing regen when you want to, you could probably get an extra 5 or 6 MPG if you have a long enough commute based on your current 54 MPG.

I work from home now so I don't get a chance to use it as much as I used to. Knowing the road you travel (including incline levels and such) are important. If you know you can recover the battery charge on the next downhill, you can use more assist or disable background charging until you reach that downhill.

The current version of MIMA has many more features that may give you more MPG compared to the MIMA_L original version but it is all based on how you can use it to best fit your daily drive. If you have not already done so, you should check out MIMA Honda Insight Modified Integrated Motor Assist - Is it too late? I think not if we act now for more info.

As you practice driving for MPG, it should climb higher than 54 MPG. You will discover what works best for your terrain and what doesn't. I think that everyone will agree to use the OEM tires and pump up the PSI. Many people seem to use about 50 PSI but choose a number that you feel safe with. If you don't want to exceed the pressure marked on the sidewall, that is fine...Going above the default PSI for the Insight will yield more MPG.

Hope that helps,

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[delsol7]

Originally Posted by joecvt

Sorry about the previous link to Majestic Honda. I should have checked the lower area of the page. You are right, they are not on that page but I know that I saw them before so I looked again. They are here:

Honda Automotive Parts

Items 17 18 and 19 (not sure if you want all of them or just one or two).

As for MIMA: It is hard to tell how much MPG you will gain because part of the equation is based on terrain and your own driving style. I use the original "home made" limited version of MIMA called MIMA_L. Since I don't have clutch pedal, I put a foot pedal near that area (a little up higher) for MIMA activation. I only use the assist portion of MIMA on very slight inclines. I found that by using only about 4 bars of assist on slight inclines does not use much battery so it does not have to be recharged as much.....I don't have long hills where I can regen and get the battery to full on the way downhill. In fact, my SOC rarely drops down more than two bars.

If you use MIMA as intended with disabling background charging and performing regen when you want to, you could probably get an extra 5 or 6 MPG if you have a long enough commute based on your current 54 MPG.

I work from home now so I don't get a chance to use it as much as I used to. Knowing the road you travel (including incline levels and such) are important. If you know you can recover the battery charge on the next downhill, you can use more assist or disable background charging until you reach that downhill.

The current version of MIMA has many more features that may give you more MPG compared to the MIMA_L original version but it is all based on how you can use it to best fit your daily drive. If you have not already done so, you should check out MIMA Honda Insight Modified Integrated Motor Assist - Is it too late? I think not if we act now for more info.

As you practice driving for MPG, it should climb higher than 54 MPG. You will discover what works best for your terrain and what doesn't. I think that everyone will agree to use the OEM tires and pump up the PSI. Many people seem to use about 50 PSI but choose a number that you feel safe with. If you don't want to exceed the pressure marked on the sidewall, that is fine...Going above the default PSI for the Insight will yield more MPG.

Hope that helps,

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation.

At the moment, I drive around area where there aren't much hills. Beside entering or exiting freeway, no hills. I tried to drive as conservative as possible but I can't reach higher than 54 MPG. As matter of fact, I'm currently getting 53 MPG by driving more in locals.

I will try the tire pressure method soon but is there other driving technique for better MPG?

[EScrooge]

Hi Eric;
I bought my 06 CVT in July and have been really happy with it. I had looked at these for anumber of years and convinced myself I would by one when gas prices were low (less demand for them), whatever I bought had low miles on it and I could unload my trailblazer at a reasonable price.
For mileage: On the freeway 70-75 mph, with the a/c on econ I average about 50-52mpg. Without a/c on I can pull 58-61 mpg and if I draft a semi or large truck I can run down the highway at 70 mph hour and get 66 mpg. In town I average about 63-67 mpg. In the area, 47-58 mph I average about 61-64 mpg. When I bought the car it had oversized Michelin Tires on it.. I just had those removed and the stock tires put on yesterday. Thankfully, the squirrelly road behavior it had is gone now and the fuel mileage is going up. I have to increase the tire pressure tomorrow since I prefer 46-48 psi in my tires, (everyone is different). I try to feather the accelerator and wedge my foot between the center console and accelerator pedal for better control and that works for me. Watch how fast you takeoff from the lights. If you are irritating other drivers by slowly starting off, you are probably doing it slow enough. It take practice and enjoy the challenge. I need to ask some of the senior, more knowledgeable people if it is more efficient to bring it quickly up to 55 mph using assist, or is it better to bring the speed up slowly without much assist. Not sure on that point....
One thing is for certain... Gas prices will go up and I intend being able to pull 65 mpg plus consistently by the time they do. Good luck and enjoy it !

[delsol7]

Originally Posted by EScrooge

Hi Eric;
I bought my 06 CVT in July and have been really happy with it. I had looked at these for anumber of years and convinced myself I would by one when gas prices were low (less demand for them), whatever I bought had low miles on it and I could unload my trailblazer at a reasonable price.
For mileage: On the freeway 70-75 mph, with the a/c on econ I average about 50-52mpg. Without a/c on I can pull 58-61 mpg and if I draft a semi or large truck I can run down the highway at 70 mph hour and get 66 mpg. In town I average about 63-67 mpg. In the area, 47-58 mph I average about 61-64 mpg. When I bought the car it had oversized Michelin Tires on it.. I just had those removed and the stock tires put on yesterday. Thankfully, the squirrelly road behavior it had is gone now and the fuel mileage is going up. I have to increase the tire pressure tomorrow since I prefer 46-48 psi in my tires, (everyone is different). I try to feather the accelerator and wedge my foot between the center console and accelerator pedal for better control and that works for me. Watch how fast you takeoff from the lights. If you are irritating other drivers by slowly starting off, you are probably doing it slow enough. It take practice and enjoy the challenge. I need to ask some of the senior, more knowledgeable people if it is more efficient to bring it quickly up to 55 mph using assist, or is it better to bring the speed up slowly without much assist. Not sure on that point....
One thing is for certain... Gas prices will go up and I intend being able to pull 65 mpg plus consistently by the time they do. Good luck and enjoy it !

I really appreciate sharing your experience.
I also think that purchasing 1G Insight over 3G Prius. I know there is no back seats but I'm still a single man and I won't need those back seats for next several years. By they time, I'm expecting full electric 4 door sedan.

I'm actually thinking of taking my car to my personal mechanic to take a look at several things. I rarely use A/C since I don't like A/C wind itself but also CA is having wonderful 80 degree weather these days.
I'm still not getting over 54 MPG yet.. probably need some more technique but not getting yet.

One question is... on downhill, would it be better to put the car on N and let the car slide down or put on D and let the battery to charge?