Massive Insight road trip, what should I know?

[inblackwell]

Hi Everyone,

I'm really excited to be joining the Insight owners community! I just purchased a 2000 MT Insight sight unseen on the internet. I live in Prescott, AZ; the car is near Erie, PA. I'm planning on flying to PA in a couple weeks and driving the car back. It should be quite an adventure. The car has around 215k on it. The check engine and maintenance lights are both on. To my knowledge the IMA and other lights are not illuminating. I'm planning on having the car checked out before I arrive in PA. Should I take to the dealer or an independent shop? Does anyone know a good shop near Erie, PA? What things would you suggest I check out/replace before embarking on a 2000+ mi road trip in a car with completely unknown service history?

If you're in the PA area and want to lend some Insight expertise to a newbie please let me know.

Thanks!

[freezin4]

Welcome to the forum.

Did you at least find out what codes set the CEL off? I would start there.

Since you have already bought the car, I would focus on the things that may prevent me from getting back home.

Check the basics first: belt, tires, fluids, radiator, 12V battery, maybe the 4 grounding straps, spare tire, wiper blades, lights etc.

Make sure you idle the car for 30 minutes to see if it overheats before you get on the road.

Check the dash when you first turn the key on to see if any of your warning lights are burnt out or not.

Then check to see IMA function/health. Do a search on this forum. (Basically, does it charge the battery? Does it provide adequate assist? How many minutes of assist do you get with a fully charged battery?)

HTH...Best of Luck!

[eal]

Originally Posted by inblackwell

Hi Everyone,
What things would you suggest I check out/replace before embarking on a 2000+ mi road trip in a car with completely unknown service history?

Print out the instructions for getting to the IMA battery and disconnecting the BCM and have them with you.

I'd say, be sure to have a toolkit (with the Torx bits and sockets you might need) with you, but since you're flying, it might be a lot easier to stop at whatever automotive store/walmart is nearby and grab a cheap set. While you're at it, grab a 12V tire pump and gauge, so you can pump the tires up and keep them pumped.

Be advised that there's 1 12V "lighter" plug. On a trip like you're taking, that might be surprising, if you're used to cars with multiples.

If you're unfamiliar with Insights, the single biggest thing that hit me was how *loud* it is on the highway - there's no weight wasted with soundproofing, for sure. Might want to toss in some foam earplugs to help with the tedium of the noise.

Good luck!

[inblackwell]

Great advice, thank you.

Originally Posted by freezin4

Did you at least find out what codes set the CEL off? I would start there.

Since you have already bought the car, I would focus on the things that may prevent me from getting back home.

Check the basics first: belt, tires, fluids, radiator, 12V battery, maybe the 4 grounding straps, spare tire, wiper blades, lights etc.

Unfortunately, I don't have a way to determine the codes until I have it towed to a shop or arrive there myself. I have a Bluetooth/OBDII/Android/Torque code reader setup that I will be bringing with me to get codes. My working theory right now is that the previous owner decided to trade it in after getting an IMA battery related code (hopefully P1447?). I currently have an appointment at the dealer for a 90k service ($440). That should include all fluids, filters, and some diagnostics. I’m not sure if it will include reading the codes. I’ve heard this costs $100+ at the dealer? I don't think the 90k service includes spark plugs. Do you think I should do those just in case?

The car is actually missing a rim/tire so I’ve ordered a replacement. I’ve also already ordered a new Bridgestone RE92 but I’m thinking it might be better to get two and carry the extra used tire with me during the trip. It seems like these tires might be hard to track down if I have a blowout somewhere.

Originally Posted by freezin4

Make sure you idle the car for 30 minutes to see if it overheats before you get on the road.

Good call. I’ll make sure to do that.

Originally Posted by eal

Print out the instructions for getting to the IMA battery and disconnecting the BCM and have them with you.

I’ve already reviewed the instructions for IMA battery disconnection. I’ll make sure I have tools to do that if necessary.

Originally Posted by eal

If you're unfamiliar with Insights, the single biggest thing that hit me was how *loud* it is on the highway - there's no weight wasted with soundproofing, for sure. Might want to toss in some foam earplugs to help with the tedium of the noise.

I didn’t realize the Insight was that loud on the highway, that’s going to be a big adjustment. I’m thinking about buying an upgraded stereo in PA due to the duration of the drive (40+ hrs).

[jkbrushaber]

First, let me say congrats and "god's speed".

The maintenance light is nothing to worry about, as it automatically turns on after XXX miles to remind you to change oil etc. If was probably not reset or is due for an oil change.

The check engine light is obviously a greater concern. Check the forums for common issues that turn it on. I don't look here enough, but my first thought would be a possible oxygen sensor.

Best of luck.

[AbCaRed00]

Check and replenish coolant only via the overflow container to the left of the rad.

If you do open the radiator cap just for checking, you can introduce air into the coolant system, and then the engine may then overheat.
If the car's is overheating, check the youtube video on Air Purge [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLm4efPSQaU] accomplished via a bleed atop the engine.

May not need them but a set of booster cables and a flashlight may be useful. Dress for winter.

If you need info on any codes and have computer access try this link: HONDA INSIGHT 2000-2006 OBDII DTC FLASH CODE ETC. SpreadSheet for INSIGHT 2000-2006 Listed therein is a link to how to read codes without a scanner.

Have a safe trip and enjoy your Insight!

[gilbertguy]

Go to Autozone and they will pull the codes for free, you can also perform a blink test and get the codes that way.
Reading Vehicle Error blink codes

[inblackwell]

Originally Posted by AbCaRed00

Check and replenish coolant only via the overflow container to the left of the rad.

If you do open the radiator cap just for checking, you can introduce air into the coolant system, and then the engine may then overheat.
If the car's is overheating, check the youtube video on Air Purge [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLm4efPSQaU] accomplished via a bleed atop the engine.

I'm pretty handy but I think I'm gonna let the dealer handle making sure all of the fluids are replaced/at the proper levels. I'll keep this in mind for the future though.

Originally Posted by AbCaRed00

May not need them but a set of booster cables and a flashlight may be useful.

I hadn't thought about a flashlight. I'm going to make sure I pick one up before I set off.

Originally Posted by AbCaRed00

Dress for winter.

Haha....Living in Arizona there is a good chance I would've forgotten this.

[inblackwell]

Originally Posted by gilbertguy

Go to Autozone and they will pull the codes for free, you can also perform a blink test and get the codes that way.
Reading Vehicle Error blink codes

I've actually got two code readers that I'm going to bring. One traditional (China) cheapo and the Bluetooth/Android/Torque(Torque OBD2 Wiki) that I mentioned before. I'm also going to bring a jumper wire so I can get the subcodes.

The real trouble is getting the codes before I fly into PA so that I'm aware of any problems beforehand. Unfortunately the small independent dealer I bought the car from is selling it "as is" and doesn't have the know-how to do any diagnostics. It looks like my safest bet will be to have the Honda dealer pull the codes (after I have the car towed to them) a few days before I fly in. That way I can have them perform any necessary repairs before I'm due to begin my journey across the country.

[gilbertguy]

If you're having work done by Honda then they will gladly pull the codes and let you know what it is. I bought mine with 240K sight unseen and flew to Friend, NE to pick it up and drive it home. It had the CEL on for O2 sensor, drove it home no issues and replaced the sensor myself with no issues. When I got my car the lifetime MPG was at 49, after I worked on the car and got it up to my standards I reset the LMPG. That was two years ago and it is currently at 59 MPG, I get around 50 MPG during the summer with the AC cranking here in Phoenix and in the winter with no AC or heater I've gotten several 70+ MPG tanks. I really hate the summer here, it kills my MPG.

Sorry, got off topic! So I would recommend a baby pillow to stick behind your lower back while driving, you'll understand why I recommend this once you've driven a couple of hundred miles.