Just Purchased my first Insight!!! And Proud of It!!!

[Kenpo]

Originally Posted by racer26

If he flushed it 20k miles ago, I wouldn't bother messing with tranny fluid. Regardless, use the recommended Honda fluid.

I've had my insight for 5 months and 20,000km (14,000mi or so), and all I've done to it is change the oil 3 times (Honda 0W20), and replace the 100A IMA fuse when it blew.

Could you list out all the tires on your car? (make, size, ratings, which corner its on, what kind of wheel its on) The optimum is obviously P165/65R14 Bridgestone RE92, all 4 corners, on factory OE insight wheels. There weren't many other tires made in the 165/65R14 size, so I'm wondering if the Federal tire is an oddball size too.

All rims are OEM and all tires are Bridgestone 165-65-14 RE92 except the driver side rear which is federal and size is also same. I was told in this thread that these were factory tires that come with the car.

[Kenpo]

Originally Posted by 2Slow4u

Congrats on the purchase.

I have a 2001 Insight CVT in San Diego as well, at 198k miles. My commute is from Mira Mesa to work in Escondido. There are a lot of factors that go into high MPG, but fresh fluids (engine and CVT) as well as pumped up tires will go a long way. My highest tank average so far is 65mpg, however I've had commute segments going into work up at 66mpg and coming home at 74mpg.

Road trips I seem to average around 68mpg round trip. I hit some high scores this weekend with 105mpg for 50 miles and 75mpg for 150 miles (2 gallons to get home from big bear!).

My only mods are taping off the upper grill with painters tape and using my right foot.

Whats up man, I use to live in mira mesa for 10+years and now live RB. Your getting 105 mpg on a CVT, holy shit! My best was 58 mpg driving 120 miles. I guess the secret is to drive slow. I'm learning how to use the gass more not using assist much so hopefully that helps me.

We should gather some people and have a palomar mountain cruise, lol.

[Kenpo]

Originally Posted by Eli

The automatic Insight doesn't use a traditional slushbox, it's a CVT. Much different than a regular automatic.

You must only use Honda fluid.

Hmmm. Now you got me thinking what the previous owner meant by flushing the tranny? I need to go under the car and see for my self. I will be getting OEM CVT fluid now thats for sure and will changing fluid by today or tomorrow.

HOw are the trannys on the insight compared to AT honda/acura trannys. I know honda trannys aren't the best since it didnt come with tranny filter. I also have a 96 integra and replaced the tranny on it and it was a PITA, and since then I change the fluid on it every year. I know the manual says to change our fluids 40-60 K depending on the driving conditions. But I plan to change it every year just to be in the safe side.

Well thanks for all the feedbacks guys, I really appreciate it!

[timny1984]

105mpg in the cvt? any mods? 99.999% downhill with a tail wind? i'm impressed. i wasn't able to push mine over the 90's for a trip. Well i think putting new fluids in it doesn't hurt. i don't know if you need them every year. but if you do it yourself i guess why not.

Tim

[Eli]

I don't really know much about CVT Insights since I don't own one, just what I have assimilated through reading here.

As far as I know, the CVT in the Insight is quite reliable, possibly more so than a regular automatic. They seem picky about the fluid, and I think your choice is wise - I don't think you can change the fluid too often.

It seems like I have seen flushing recommended to help alleviate the one problem the CVT has, I believe with the start clutch and "judder".

Someone who knows more can chime in.

[Kenpo]

Ok so I just got back from Honda dealer ship and bought 4 quarts of the CVT ATF, oh man these guys are expensive I paid 9.35 each for them! I did a search an saw people talking about they are only paying 6.50 a quart? Where are you guys buying yours at?

Well anyways I will be changing my tranny fluid and will update everyone if I felt a difference or not. And also how many quarts was added.

[Eli]

Probably online.

Genuine Honda CVT fluid 1 qt.

[Kenpo]

Nice, next time I'll buy it from them. Ok so I just finished changing my tranny fluid. Drained it and exactly 3 quarts camed out. I gotta say, this is one of the cleanest tranny fluid I've seen while working on honda/acura, it literally looked like brand new engine oil. I was impressed! Magnetic drain plug had a bit of junk, but it wasnt bad at all. After, I added 2.75 brand new quarts to see where it was at, and was exactly on the first line I added half a quart more and it was exactly in the middle between the two lines (I usually pour the fluid by taking out the speed sensor but found out I had to take out the battery for that, so I just pourd it into the tranny dipstick). I drove the car around the block and to me it felt better, shifts alot smoother.

I also checked the tire pressure and found all four were off! Front driver side had 22 psi, front passenger side had 28, rear driver side had 18 and rear passender side had 30. So I inflatted 2 front tires @ 45 psi and 2 rears @ 42 psi. Hopefully this mod will help get my mpg UP.

I also checked the spark plugs, the previous owner told me he replaced it and when I pulled it out they were cheap autolite double platinum! Luckily he gave me the old ones and when I looked at them they still looked ok too use, not sure how many miles they had, but I'm assuming they were the original plugs that had 130,xxx miles on them. So I thought I would give it a try to see which one would be better. Started it up and I was surprised, the old NGK IR IL2FR5A11 B, were better than brand new autolite platinums! When I had the autolite plugs on the car, it sounded like it required 3 cranks on and car would start. But with the old NRG plugs one cranks and starts!!! So I'm sticking to the NGK's (with unknown mileage but better than brand new autolite double platinums).

Also checked all mounts and no cracks, and found out that rack and pinion on the insight was also aluminum!

Total time I would say was 1.5 hrs. I let the tranny oil drain for quite a bit and ate subway while it was draining. It was good learning experience. Next project will be check valve lash.

[timny1984]

haha wow impressively low tire pressures! Was he rock crawling with the car? lol
Well i'm sure you'll notice a huge difference. i can't imagine tire pressures at 1/3rd of what i'm running. I would think the car would hate to go 55mph, let alone 80! And the spark plugs are a pretty big deal too. I haven't dealt with them yet, but the correct indexing is a pretty big issue. Well enjoy your new found numbers.

Tim

[Eli]

Wow, you're going to notice a HUGE difference now that your tires are inflated properly.