[Aaronius]

Hi all,

I have recently bought a UK 59 plate (2010 model?) Insight ES.

Overall, I am happy with it, but have some questions that I would like you guys to help - am I thinking right, or over-sensitive while learning this new car.

1:
Under throttle, there is often an over rev. I usually notice it from a standing start and at slow speeds while moving. It isn't hard acceleration, but can be around 1500-2500 RPM and then settles into gear properly. To me it feels like a possible clutch slippage, but I can't be sure if it's to do with the change over to/from battery.

2:
Nearly cutting out. When idling in traffic, often the car seems to want to engage Idle Stop, but then changes its mind. It almost cuts out - dropping to less than 500RPM, but then comes back. This takes place even when there is a lot of charge remaining in the IMA battery. Is this normal for these vehicles, or something that can be dealt with?

3:
Overall MPG. When I first got the car, about 6 weeks ago, I was getting around 56MPG, but now down to 47. I appreciate there are external conditions that affect fuel consumption: ventilation, temperature, cabin humidity, AC etc.

But, I try to turn off the ventilation before stopping (thanks for the info in the forum by the way) and almost never use the AC.

Bearing in mind the questions above, can you guys please give some feedback? Am I just being over sensitive to this new car, or is there some advice you can give?

The car only has 46,000 on the clock, has some service history.

Thanks chaps,
Aaron

 

[jime]

Welcome to IC. Please click "User CP" above then "edit my details" on the left side bar to include a city location. It is traditional here on IC and is immensely helpful to all - including yourself

 

[Aaronius]

Hi there, thanks for your reply. That’s done now. I’m in London. Glad to join the forum.

 

[egads]

1. It's a CVT transmission, there are no gears. sometimes it can seem like a rubber band. Recommend you change the fluid. It may have never been done or done a long time ago.
2.It sounds like it may have never had any software updates. These would only have been available at a Honda dealer. Not sure how any of that works in the UK. When I drive our Insight, I turn off ECO or shift to S to keep the auto stop from happening. It drives me nuts.
3. Tyre pressures? Fuel quality? Driving style? The instant read out on the dash is not very accurate. The only way to actually check mileage is to fill the tank, zero out one of the trip meters, then, at the next fill up, divide the miles driven by the gallons used.

 

[Farmerjosh]

I have all three of these issues as well. 2011 EX with 40k. Just did my CVT fluid. Might check at dealer for software update.

 

[gms24ru]

Hi all,

2:
Nearly cutting out. When idling in traffic, often the car seems to want to engage Idle Stop, but then changes its mind. It almost cuts out - dropping to less than 500RPM, but then comes back. This takes place even when there is a lot of charge remaining in the IMA battery. Is this normal for these vehicles, or something that can be dealt with?

This can happen at idle, when the engine revs down to 500 rpm and then again rises to 750 rpm. The reason for this behavior is contaminated throttle. Due to oilfield soak on the walls of the throttle does not completely close, or the opening occurs with sticking.
I recommend cleaning the throttle, as well as the EGR-valve.
After performing the throttle training through the HDS or throw off the negative terminal 12V for a few minutes, then hold 3000 rpm until the radiator fan starts twice.

 

[Aaronius]

Hi again all,

Apologies for the delay in responding - I appreciate the responses.

I will check the fluids after Christmas day - could be a clue there. I did call Honda, and apparently there are no software updates outstanding on my car. :/

As far the as the cleaning (training?) the throttle and EGR valve, I will have to look up how to do that...
@gms24ru: Can you please explain this a little more?:

After performing the throttle training through the HDS or throw off the negative terminal 12V for a few minutes, then hold 3000 rpm until the radiator fan starts twice.

 

[gms24ru]

...I did call Honda, and apparently there are no software updates outstanding on my car. :/

Until you connect the car to the scanner - you will not see if you need an update or not. Unless of course your dealer is not a telepath.

As far the as the cleaning (training?) the throttle and EGR valve, I will have to look up how to do that...

From Service Manual Insight G2

Remove the EGR-valve and clean the surface from carbon. It is not necessary to change the gasket.

 

[Aaronius]

Until you connect the car to the scanner - you will not see if you need an update or not. Unless of course your dealer is not a telepath.

That is true.


Thanks for the links. Very helpful, downloaded.

Thanks

 

[WillS]

dealers telepathic abilities

Yes, the dealer could be lying about the state of your cars update status - how would anyone know?
Honda keeps records of service provided by your cars vin number....
So the dealer you asked looked up your cars vim and saw updates all up to date, or whatever they see in their system..
..
true enough that you wouldn't know if you have the udates recommended for your vehicle until you see the HDS (Honda Diagnostic System) screens for yourself....

But how many of us have ever seen any of the Dealer HDS screens?

Yes, we may have seen the chinese bootleg static screens, but most of them have issues even acessing the IMA data, without a bootleg update that usually doesn't work anyway....

That is if you are brave enough to even chance that the update is clean on your computer.

My remarks above only represent my experiences with the Dealer I purchased 2 honda from and does not represent Honda Dealers as a whole.

But there is a reason a lot of people refer to them as steelers....If you were selling cars how would you run a service department these days?

In my view Honda has a POOR reputation for servicing their hybrids. The cars are fine in my opinion the way they came from the Japanese plants.. US plants, may present other issues. US service sure does (in my opinion),

I have an 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and I experience something like what you mention in your original post regarding the hesitation during acceleration.

Mine results from (as far as I know) from the high voltage battery pack issue.

I have 3 packs that I interchange when the one in the car get too far out of balance.
When my pack is getting messed up I notice the hesitation during acceleration way more (a lot more) than when the pack is balanced

(grid charged and discharged uing Mike Debrosky's "3 cycle deep discharge method") described here in a sticky at the top of the forum...

You have to learn what your Insight has for a high voltage pack. I recommend PeterPerkins since you are in London. He is this forums most knowledgeable Insight mechanic anywhere near you. If you contact him I believe he will give you the BEST info regarding your vehicle that you will ever get anywhere in the UK. Even if it might not be the fix you had hoped might be available or he is too far away from you to make the trip...
These days with ripoffs seemingly everywhere you look, having a person whom puts themselves out there for others is a rarity beyond description.......
Please don't take it fore granted.....

best regards
and also for Ben Huchings the maintainer of my computers kernel
unpresidented service to a free as in freedom project....

 

[Aaronius]

Thanks for the additional pointers.

The deep discharge cycle seems a bit over my head just now, but pointing out PeterPerkins and Ben Huchings sounds very useful.

I will contact Peter first and see what he can reveal, and follow on by visiting Honda in person and see what they say in the new year. Busy, busy!