I've been following this site for months now, and have finally been able to purchase a 2001 Insight with 56,000 miles and a LMPG of 58.7. Any advice on driving in the Midwest (specifically Illinois)? It's a great car, but I'm a little concerned about driving it in an Illinois winter followed by pothole season.
Driving an Insight in Midwest
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Joined
·
4,836 Posts
Welcome to the forum! 
Since I'm really not in a "snow" area you will probably do better to wait for posts from members that are correctly "acclimated". <g>
Several northern members purchase a second set of low cost steel rims and swap to snow tires when needed. Also be aware of the under body areodynamic panels that can become clogged with snow and get torn loose. This seems to happen when trying to curb or skim through deep snow. Their not a critical part, but are expensive.
The LMPG likely has room for much improvement in your area depending on driving pattern and style. There are many posts in the MPG and Modifications sections that can help.
HTH!
Since I'm really not in a "snow" area you will probably do better to wait for posts from members that are correctly "acclimated". <g>
Several northern members purchase a second set of low cost steel rims and swap to snow tires when needed. Also be aware of the under body areodynamic panels that can become clogged with snow and get torn loose. This seems to happen when trying to curb or skim through deep snow. Their not a critical part, but are expensive.
The LMPG likely has room for much improvement in your area depending on driving pattern and style. There are many posts in the MPG and Modifications sections that can help.
HTH!
Joined
·
136 Posts
I'm really happy in my first snow season with my Insight, but I'm still a little timid about driving.
This mostly stems from the knowledge that if I trash my insight, I'll probably not be able to afford to replace it with another Insight.
The Insight seems to handle as well or better than my old civic in the snow. I'm considering buying the snow tires, mostly so I feel a little more confident. I don't seem to need them *so far.* :wink:
This mostly stems from the knowledge that if I trash my insight, I'll probably not be able to afford to replace it with another Insight.
The Insight seems to handle as well or better than my old civic in the snow. I'm considering buying the snow tires, mostly so I feel a little more confident. I don't seem to need them *so far.* :wink:
The tread passed me by.
It is a personal preference, but I would not drive through Winter (snow) with 4 season tires on any car. Especially with the Insight as I put more air pressure than a normal car and this leaves less contact to the ground.
I have never had problems with the under body plastic covers but some did. I suppose that I was lucky but I can assure anyone that if something can happen, it always happen to me ( I got rust, corrosion, on a door in 2001)
For potholes, I think that having more PSI in the tire than normal cars and having a lighter car is beneficial to the Insight. Less chance of breaking. But again, some have had problems here as we have Many of those here (salt, above freezing in the day, below freezing in the night). But I had lifted the rear by an inch for better comfort. And this could make a large difference in the pothole season.
Remember that the suspension is really soft and that if you think is is hard, it is because the suspension travel was not enough. It bottomed out.
As with any car, try to avoid potholes.
It is a personal preference, but I would not drive through Winter (snow) with 4 season tires on any car. Especially with the Insight as I put more air pressure than a normal car and this leaves less contact to the ground.
I have never had problems with the under body plastic covers but some did. I suppose that I was lucky but I can assure anyone that if something can happen, it always happen to me ( I got rust, corrosion, on a door in 2001)
For potholes, I think that having more PSI in the tire than normal cars and having a lighter car is beneficial to the Insight. Less chance of breaking. But again, some have had problems here as we have Many of those here (salt, above freezing in the day, below freezing in the night). But I had lifted the rear by an inch for better comfort. And this could make a large difference in the pothole season.
Remember that the suspension is really soft and that if you think is is hard, it is because the suspension travel was not enough. It bottomed out.
As with any car, try to avoid potholes.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
