I am new to the Insight family. I just bought a 2004 with a manual transmission. My first day i drove it around 200 miles and got about 60mpg... love it. I did some research on boosting your mpg's in this car before buying. I am planning on making the following mods:
- Grid Charger
- Cruise Control
- MIMA
- Passenger Airbag Shutoff
My questions are:
How much does the Grid Charger cost for my insight?
Does anyone know of a good mod for the airbag? I would like to have a switch that's easily accessible.
Lastly, what other mods, if any, would you suggest?
One could buy the parts and build a simple "dumb" grid charger for $100-$150. Or one could buy a "smart" grid charger for ~$800 with the option to add a smart discharger for ~$135.
If I were buying an Insight now, I'd make sure it had a Fumoto oil drain valve that prevents the fragile magnesium alloy oil drain hole threads from being stripped when the oil is changed.
I would also buy an OBDIIC&C gauge that can monitor all sorts of things in real time while driving, can report and reset any diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's), and can log operating parameters over time.
__________________
Aloha,
Art Isbell
2000 Insight A/C #559
Genesis One MIMA+FAS and grid charger, OBDIIC&C, Rostra, Fumoto, DEFA engine block heater, Philips LED DRL's, Honda security system
Why do you want to disconnect the SRS? [I just thought of it, you probably want to carry a child seat. Right?]
Also, the "Cadillac of Chargers" is Mike D's smart charger. Lots of safety features and programmable options. I think the main advantage is that you can actually dishcharge your battery safely and slowly with this machine. See more info: http://99mpg.com/Projectcars/gridcharger/
Rostra makes the Cruise control for the car, but it will probably NOT help you get better MPGs. (I've never tried, so I could be wrong, but others with the system will help answer this.)
Some general and generic ideas for getting higher MPGs:
Slow down.
Learn your car's sweet spot for Lean Burn.
Slow down more.
Use non-ethanol gas if available vs 10% blend.
For highest MPG ratings, you want to ensure you have the Bridgestone Potenzas with "higher than normal" PSI of air or Nitrogen inside. SOme use 40 PSI, some 50, and some even more. Please do some research and reconcile with your comfort zone.
Do you have underbody shields? You should have 3 covers under the engine, and two long ones under the seats/trunk area.
Partial grill block will help smooth airflow, and reduce drag.
Make sure you are using the HVAC system correctly (NO A/C!)
Use the correct 2.6 qts of 0W20 oil. Do not allow anyone to overfill.
Ensure you have the proper specs of wheel alignement.
Also, please enter a location for your "User CP". i.e. What state, ? Country? are you from?
Enjoy the car! All the best!
__________________ Silver 2001 Insight 5spd - #0160
264+K miles
(Has some bruises, needs some stuff...but I still love it.) Citrus w/ A/C - #2083
270+K miles
(Still needs some stuff...but I already love it.)
Last edited by freezin4; 02-04-2013 at 04:11 PM.
Reason: Reason for SRS D/C.
This old thread may still be useful Passenger Airbag Kill Switch?
_________
Agreed on above comments and to indicate using Rostra Cruise Control for comfort alone as indicated driving manually will usually save more in fuel economy and [ima battery too] depending on Rostra set up and mostly the 'set' road speed.
If you get a Rostra unit there's a user who designed a d-i-y mount of aluminum for the first gen insight that fits great without drilling the car; fwiw: the only problem with the Rostra install other than initial installation contortions [tight pedal area] being the narrow spade foot connection to the fuse box for power source. Once fixed no probs.
______
Congrats on your vehicle choice and welcome!
Welcome to the forum. I bought & installed a few passenger airbag kill switches on various cars for around $30 on eBay. I can't find it online at the moment, but I will check out the kit when I get home and post the info.
A grid charger is a wise investment that will significantly improve the life of your battery.
There are three main options on where/how to get a grid charger.
(1) You can build a 'simple' one yourself. Here is a good thread with info.
(2) You can have a 'simple' charger built for you - I build them and offer them for sale. Here is more info.
(3) The third option is Mike's 'complex' Genesis One charger. It has many features that the 'simple' units do not have, but is understandably more expensive. Here is more info.
All three are great options. Making the decision is a personal choice that really boils down to how much you want to spend, whether you want to build it yourself, and which features you feel are necessary.
__________________
FS: Simple Grid Chargers - 00-06 Insight & 03-05 Civic Hybrid HybridAutomotive.com (Now Includes the Insight/Civic IMA Battery Instructions)
Citrus 2000 MT MIMA, Silver 2000 MT Beater
Best Tank: 90.2MPG over 918.7 miles 010MCM/030BCM, No MIMA. Details: My Commute MPGs
Current score: Bought/Selling/Sold/Dismantled six silvers, one blue, and a Citrus to keep for myself.
__________________
FS: Simple Grid Chargers - 00-06 Insight & 03-05 Civic Hybrid HybridAutomotive.com (Now Includes the Insight/Civic IMA Battery Instructions)
Citrus 2000 MT MIMA, Silver 2000 MT Beater
Best Tank: 90.2MPG over 918.7 miles 010MCM/030BCM, No MIMA. Details: My Commute MPGs
Current score: Bought/Selling/Sold/Dismantled six silvers, one blue, and a Citrus to keep for myself.
One could buy the parts and build a simple "dumb" grid charger for $100-$150. Or one could buy a "smart" grid charger for ~$800 with the option to add a smart discharger for ~$135.
If I were buying an Insight now, I'd make sure it had a Fumoto oil drain valve that prevents the fragile magnesium alloy oil drain hole threads from being stripped when the oil is changed.
I would also buy an OBDIIC&C gauge that can monitor all sorts of things in real time while driving, can report and reset any diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's), and can log operating parameters over time.
Love the Fumoto oil drain valve. Will the same one fit on the insight as will a f350 (that's the vehicle the link took me to)?
What does the OBDIIC&C gauge? What benefits would it bring?
Why do you want to disconnect the SRS? [I just thought of it, you probably want to carry a child seat. Right?]
Also, the "Cadillac of Chargers" is Mike D's smart charger. Lots of safety features and programmable options. I think the main advantage is that you can actually dishcharge your battery safely and slowly with this machine. See more info: http://99mpg.com/Projectcars/gridcharger/
Rostra makes the Cruise control for the car, but it will probably NOT help you get better MPGs. (I've never tried, so I could be wrong, but others with the system will help answer this.)
Some general and generic ideas for getting higher MPGs:
Slow down.
Learn your car's sweet spot for Lean Burn.
Slow down more.
Use non-ethanol gas if available vs 10% blend.
For highest MPG ratings, you want to ensure you have the Bridgestone Potenzas with "higher than normal" PSI of air or Nitrogen inside. SOme use 40 PSI, some 50, and some even more. Please do some research and reconcile with your comfort zone.
Do you have underbody shields? You should have 3 covers under the engine, and two long ones under the seats/trunk area.
Partial grill block will help smooth airflow, and reduce drag.
Make sure you are using the HVAC system correctly (NO A/C!)
Use the correct 2.6 qts of 0W20 oil. Do not allow anyone to overfill.
Ensure you have the proper specs of wheel alignement.
Also, please enter a location for your "User CP". i.e. What state, ? Country? are you from?
Enjoy the car! All the best!
Yes, kids are the reason for wanting to disconnect. However, after thinking more about it i don't think that is going to work for various reasons.
Do you have a link for a good partial grill block?
Welcome to the forum. I bought & installed a few passenger airbag kill switches on various cars for around $30 on eBay. I can't find it online at the moment, but I will check out the kit when I get home and post the info.
A grid charger is a wise investment that will significantly improve the life of your battery.
There are three main options on where/how to get a grid charger.
(1) You can build a 'simple' one yourself. Here is a good thread with info.
(2) You can have a 'simple' charger built for you - I build them and offer them for sale. Here is more info.
(3) The third option is Mike's 'complex' Genesis One charger. It has many features that the 'simple' units do not have, but is understandably more expensive. Here is more info.
All three are great options. Making the decision is a personal choice that really boils down to how much you want to spend, whether you want to build it yourself, and which features you feel are necessary.
What features do you have and what do you feel is needed? I understand cars and engines but you throw electricity in the mix and i'm a lost ball in tall weeds.
Love the Fumoto oil drain valve. Will the same one fit on the insight as will a f350 (that's the vehicle the link took me to)?
The Fumoto Website will tell you which model fits all Hondas. If you order the 'N' version, a convenient nipple is included that allows one to attach a hose to direct the oil to its drain pan without removing the lower engine cover.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Small205
What does the OBDIIC&C gauge? What benefits would it bring?
Search for "OBDIIC&C" in the Google search field on the upper left edge of the page to find everything you need to know.
__________________
Aloha,
Art Isbell
2000 Insight A/C #559
Genesis One MIMA+FAS and grid charger, OBDIIC&C, Rostra, Fumoto, DEFA engine block heater, Philips LED DRL's, Honda security system
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Best "First Step" Mods
