My 2000 Insight 5-speed is currently in the shop due to a variety of issues. The biggest reason I bought the Insight was gas mileage, as I live in L.A. When I bought the vehicle it had a lifetime mileage of 44.5 with only 38k miles. I am the 2nd owner. The best I've seen out of the car is 55 mpg, the worst was 32 mpg, which my old lil' baby car 1990 Honda Civic Hatchback Dx did better! I've read over a lot of the responses to low mileage, and I have to say I don't abusively drive my car. I like to drive fast when I can, but living in L.A. that's rare (and fast is 80 tops). I drive a good mix of city and hwy with the occasional road trip thrown in. I've always driven 5-speeds, even so I had to "relearn" how to drive this car based on how good of gas mileage I'm trying to coax out of it. I don't know what my tires are inflated to, but you can bet I'll pump them up to at least 40 psi. I've had my car in numerous times because of this. No one at honda's service departments seems to know anything. I've had the regular battery replaced, the electric battery replaced, and now who knows what else. I am both excited and infuriated to see that others have had the same problem as I and have not been able to get a straight answer out of Honda. I'm going to continue to read up on this site and others but any comments/ suggestions would be useful. Thank you!!
infuriated w/ low mileage!
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Try and find another Insight owner from your area and let them see if it feels different than theirs. That's the best way to see if something is indeed wrong with the car. Other questions would be is the oil 0w-20 and do the wheels spin fairly freely when up on jackstands? Those could probably rule out engine or drivetrain problems. You could try changing transmission fluid (use Honda brand MTL...it's not hard if you change your own oil). Another thing to try (if you haven't) is to set your A/C to 68 or 70. The amount of compressor on time really hurts gas mileage and I've found 68 can keep me cool even in 95 degree Florida days.
Those are my suggestions. You really should try to find someone on these forums in your area and see if they can help you narrow your search down.
Those are my suggestions. You really should try to find someone on these forums in your area and see if they can help you narrow your search down.
what tires do you have on it? the oems seem to do the best in terms of MPG, but they stink in all other areas, from what i have heard. i just got my insight a couple of months ago, and i tossed the oem tires and put on sumitomos. from all accounts i gave up about 5 to 8 mpg, but they are truly an all-weather tire.
also, how is the wheel alignment? incorrect adjustment or something bent will cause tire wear issues and lower your mpg.
andy g.
also, how is the wheel alignment? incorrect adjustment or something bent will cause tire wear issues and lower your mpg.
andy g.
Lots of conflict here:
" I like to drive fast when I can, but living in L.A. that's rare (and fast is 80 tops). I drive a good mix of city and hwy with the occasional road trip thrown in."
You must slow down if you expect to get great gas mileage, this is true for any vehicle, not just an Insight.
" I don't know what my tires are inflated to"
Well, don't post your first message here complaining about poor MPG's without at least checking the basics!
Questions:
Does the car go into lean burn? Do you drive slow enough for lean burn?
Original tires (LRR) or something else? Tire Pressure?
How many miles on this car? Good mechanical shape?
Is the engine oil level between the marks and not over-filled? Is the engine oil 0W-20 as recommended?
Are you using A/C all the time? Do you use econ mode for the climate control?
Auto-stop working?
Driving habits? Is it lots of city driving, with lots of stop/go? Hill climbs?
Average commute distance?
Did I mention slowing down?
Read up on the forums, and don't give up. Your little car should be capable of much better fuel economy.
Regards,
" I like to drive fast when I can, but living in L.A. that's rare (and fast is 80 tops). I drive a good mix of city and hwy with the occasional road trip thrown in."
You must slow down if you expect to get great gas mileage, this is true for any vehicle, not just an Insight.
" I don't know what my tires are inflated to"
Well, don't post your first message here complaining about poor MPG's without at least checking the basics!
Questions:
Does the car go into lean burn? Do you drive slow enough for lean burn?
Original tires (LRR) or something else? Tire Pressure?
How many miles on this car? Good mechanical shape?
Is the engine oil level between the marks and not over-filled? Is the engine oil 0W-20 as recommended?
Are you using A/C all the time? Do you use econ mode for the climate control?
Auto-stop working?
Driving habits? Is it lots of city driving, with lots of stop/go? Hill climbs?
Average commute distance?
Did I mention slowing down?
Read up on the forums, and don't give up. Your little car should be capable of much better fuel economy.
Regards,
on the getting good mileage part, yes, you should be getting better. the original owner of mine got about 61, and i get 60-65 on a slightly shorter commute in the same area, using the sumitomos.
anyway, keep on it. its a great little commuter car, and a lot of fun too!
andy g.
anyway, keep on it. its a great little commuter car, and a lot of fun too!
andy g.
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75 Posts
Greetings Kapps and Ckeating,
I also live in the LA area as does CalPod, If CKeating has the time in the near Future I would be happy to compare notes and driving tricks for LA traffic. Im a courier so I know them all :wink:
I also live in the LA area as does CalPod, If CKeating has the time in the near Future I would be happy to compare notes and driving tricks for LA traffic. Im a courier so I know them all :wink:
kapps said:
in response to hawkgt647
in response to questions:
Does the car go into lean burn? Do you drive slow enough for lean burn?
Do not know exactly what this means. Can you explain? I know it's when your car is max fuel efficiency... but... I've been too busy looking at my battery charge and mpg meter.
Original tires (LRR) or something else? Sorry, don't know that one. Would guess, no.
Tire Pressure? Just had my car serviced, but based on how the tires looked, I'm gonna guess they are under-inflated.
How many miles on this car? just over 50k
Good mechanical shape? That's a big reason it's in the shop, the battery has been dead now twice for no reason at all. Mystery. Battery and electric battery both are under a year old, no lights, stereo, etc left on.
Is the engine oil level between the marks and not over-filled? yes
Is the engine oil 0W-20 as recommended? yes
Are you using A/C all the time? Do you use econ mode for the climate control? never use a/c. if i want air, i roll the windows down or, if at higher speeds, use the econ fan
Auto-stop working? yes
Driving habits? Is it lots of city driving, with lots of stop/go? probably more city driving than anything else. i live on a hill, but the rest of the area I drive is flat. Hill climbs? little
Average commute distance? varies. 5-20 miles
in response to questions:
Does the car go into lean burn? Do you drive slow enough for lean burn?
Do not know exactly what this means. Can you explain? I know it's when your car is max fuel efficiency... but... I've been too busy looking at my battery charge and mpg meter.
Original tires (LRR) or something else? Sorry, don't know that one. Would guess, no.
Tire Pressure? Just had my car serviced, but based on how the tires looked, I'm gonna guess they are under-inflated.
How many miles on this car? just over 50k
Good mechanical shape? That's a big reason it's in the shop, the battery has been dead now twice for no reason at all. Mystery. Battery and electric battery both are under a year old, no lights, stereo, etc left on.
Is the engine oil level between the marks and not over-filled? yes
Is the engine oil 0W-20 as recommended? yes
Are you using A/C all the time? Do you use econ mode for the climate control? never use a/c. if i want air, i roll the windows down or, if at higher speeds, use the econ fan
Auto-stop working? yes
Driving habits? Is it lots of city driving, with lots of stop/go? probably more city driving than anything else. i live on a hill, but the rest of the area I drive is flat. Hill climbs? little
Average commute distance? varies. 5-20 miles
mileage bad
Use the PM mode to contact other Insighters in your area. Check with "calpod", he wants to get a group togther in the LA area for a meet or "run."
Can hardly wait.............
Use the PM mode to contact other Insighters in your area. Check with "calpod", he wants to get a group togther in the LA area for a meet or "run."
Can hardly wait.............
I live in orange county and drive to the Valley every day.
I drive through 2 hours of LA traffic on my way home, and one hour of smooth driving on my way to work.
I get 55-65mpg in the morning and 45-55mpg in the afternoon... and that's in
A CVT.
Sorry to rub it in.
I drive through 2 hours of LA traffic on my way home, and one hour of smooth driving on my way to work.
I get 55-65mpg in the morning and 45-55mpg in the afternoon... and that's in
A CVT.
Sorry to rub it in.
Your comment that "fast is 80 tops" may be a clue. You make it sound like 80 isn't that fast anyway. IMO, 80 MPH is extremely fast to be driving if you expect good mileage. I usually do about 25 in the city, or 45 on the highway trip out to my house, though I bring that up to 60 if I'm on a long highway trip.
Keeping the car in it's ideal rev range is important too, but it's difficult to give specific advice for this as the ideal revs vary with temperature.
Keeping the car in it's ideal rev range is important too, but it's difficult to give specific advice for this as the ideal revs vary with temperature.
update
So my car is still in the shop. The dealership is unable to "duplicate the problem". The mechanic finally called and spoke with American Honda re: the O2 sensor (he found a code that it was bad; not the same code as the false alarm). American Honda seems to think the O2 sensor may have something to do with both the bad mileage and the dying battery. Does this sound feasible to anyone? They want to replace it to the tune of $500. Also, he insists that 45 mpg is the expected mpg for this car and he's never heard of anyone getting over that for an extended period of time.
Also, just to reply to a comment made by Foxpaw, "I usually do about 25 in the city, or 45 on the highway trip out to my house, though I bring that up to 60 if I'm on a long highway trip;" Foxpaw, just as it's dangerous to drive too fast, it's just as dangerous to drive too slow on the freeway. 45 on the highway? The posted speedlimit around L.A. (with the 101 and 110 being the exception) is 65 mph. And keeping up with traffic is usually around 70-75 mph (I paid strict attention yesterday to the speed around me). I'm surprised you haven't gotten creamed!
Also, iibbmm, it's nice to know that even in horrible L.A. traffic you're still getting 45-55 mpg.
Thanks!
So my car is still in the shop. The dealership is unable to "duplicate the problem". The mechanic finally called and spoke with American Honda re: the O2 sensor (he found a code that it was bad; not the same code as the false alarm). American Honda seems to think the O2 sensor may have something to do with both the bad mileage and the dying battery. Does this sound feasible to anyone? They want to replace it to the tune of $500. Also, he insists that 45 mpg is the expected mpg for this car and he's never heard of anyone getting over that for an extended period of time.
Also, just to reply to a comment made by Foxpaw, "I usually do about 25 in the city, or 45 on the highway trip out to my house, though I bring that up to 60 if I'm on a long highway trip;" Foxpaw, just as it's dangerous to drive too fast, it's just as dangerous to drive too slow on the freeway. 45 on the highway? The posted speedlimit around L.A. (with the 101 and 110 being the exception) is 65 mph. And keeping up with traffic is usually around 70-75 mph (I paid strict attention yesterday to the speed around me). I'm surprised you haven't gotten creamed!
Also, iibbmm, it's nice to know that even in horrible L.A. traffic you're still getting 45-55 mpg.
Thanks!
Is the O2 sensor considered emissions equipment and would that be covered under the emissions warranty? Do you have any warranty left?
Possibly save big bucks.
Tell the service dude that 45 mpg is not anywhere close to what a 5-speed Insight is capable of, even going by the EPA ratings. They are showing their inexperience with Insights. But driving at high speeds, do not expect high numbers. The false statement is saying that no one can do better than 45 mpg for extended periods. Total baloney!
If the traffic around you is going 10-15 over the limit, and you want to stay with them, forget about gas mileage. Just drive it and don't pay any atttention to the FCD.
At those speeds, you are totally beyond lean burn, unless you hook up with a drafting buddy. But it sounds like drafting would not be advisable under those conditions.
Possibly save big bucks.
Tell the service dude that 45 mpg is not anywhere close to what a 5-speed Insight is capable of, even going by the EPA ratings. They are showing their inexperience with Insights. But driving at high speeds, do not expect high numbers. The false statement is saying that no one can do better than 45 mpg for extended periods. Total baloney!
If the traffic around you is going 10-15 over the limit, and you want to stay with them, forget about gas mileage. Just drive it and don't pay any atttention to the FCD.
At those speeds, you are totally beyond lean burn, unless you hook up with a drafting buddy. But it sounds like drafting would not be advisable under those conditions.
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75 Posts
The O2 could cause some of your bat issues and a lot of your MPG issues. I don't know if that is a warranty item, I would call Honda and see if its still covered. Did the previous owner live out of state? 55k miles is a bit fast for that to go. Esp in CA as our fuel is verrrrry clean. Get the part/labor breakdown and call some other dealers. I would stay away from Miller Honda as they run a bit high on the Labor.
Re: update
If, I get rear-ended as a result of someone's bad driving, I get either my repairs completely paid for (including a complete paint job and a new battery pack if it was damaged) or even worse, a completely new car. How tragic. I should ensure that I succumb to the bullying of tailgaters so as not to risk enduring this windfall at a bad driver's expense. :roll:
That is absurd. If someone rear-ends you, it is only because they are not paying attention or not maintaining a safe distance. In both cases it is no fault of the driver travelling slowly. A rear-end collision caused by inattentiveness of the driver behind poses a very low risk to the occupants of the an Insight being rear-ended because the relative speed of the vehicles will not be that high, and the occupants of the Insight are fairly far forward from the back of the car.CKeating said:
If, I get rear-ended as a result of someone's bad driving, I get either my repairs completely paid for (including a complete paint job and a new battery pack if it was damaged) or even worse, a completely new car. How tragic. I should ensure that I succumb to the bullying of tailgaters so as not to risk enduring this windfall at a bad driver's expense. :roll:
Joined
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50 Posts
Re: update
or yours: in california we have a lot of uninsured motorists, your insurance pays for your repairs.[/quote]
That only supports what I was saying, though I don't think that's quite what you meant. In Manitoba, the responsible person(s) insurance pays for the repairs to their own vehicle, and the repairs to any other vehicles or property damaged. If the responsible person(s) do not have insurance, the insurance company still pays out liability and then they recoup the cost as a surcharge on the responsible person(s) license. So, if you are hit by an uninsured driver, you get paid out anyway, and that person cannot get their drivers license back until they have fully repaid the insurance company.
"f, I get rear-ended as a result of someone's bad driving, I get either my repairs completely paid for (including a complete paint job and a new battery pack if it was damaged) or even worse, a completely new car."
Quite apart from any issues of responsibility to others, or even simple good manners, it's blindingly obvious that you haven't actually had the experience of having your Insight rear-ended. I have. (Not going too slow, though: stopped in a left-turn lane.) The insurance company will offer about half the replacement value, then refuse to pay anything unless you sign over title to them.
Quite apart from any issues of responsibility to others, or even simple good manners, it's blindingly obvious that you haven't actually had the experience of having your Insight rear-ended. I have. (Not going too slow, though: stopped in a left-turn lane.) The insurance company will offer about half the replacement value, then refuse to pay anything unless you sign over title to them.
I can't speak for you, but that's not the way insurance works in Manitoba. You get the damage assessed, and the "estimator" decides whether to repair the vehicle or if it's a write-off. If it's a write-off, you get the market value of the car - but if you can demonstrate that no cars of the same make and model with comparable mileage are available for the money they give you, you can get more money. In many cases, the "replacement cost" they give you will actually be well above what a replacement costs. (A friend of mine bought a car for $800 and got $2500 when he crashed it - the car could easily be replaced for $1000 - $1500) If they decide to repair it, you take it to a certified repair shop, and the bill is passed on to the insurance company. So, unless there is damage that is missed by the repair shop, you can't really get stuck with any costs.
CKeating,
I sent you and e-mail a couple days ago, stating that I would be able to help you get your mileage up, I have not received a response yet.
Check you e-mail and let me know if you would like some help, you or any other insight drivers having any mileage problems can just PM me, I believe the Insight is the best car out there as far as mileage, if you are not getting the mileage you want, it's because either you are not trying, or you don't know how. (This is where I come in)
The offer still stands.
I sent you and e-mail a couple days ago, stating that I would be able to help you get your mileage up, I have not received a response yet.
Check you e-mail and let me know if you would like some help, you or any other insight drivers having any mileage problems can just PM me, I believe the Insight is the best car out there as far as mileage, if you are not getting the mileage you want, it's because either you are not trying, or you don't know how. (This is where I come in)
The offer still stands.
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