[glitch]

Hi guys and gals, haven't posted in a while. Just read to catch up. Been real busy lately. Money's tight so I haven't done much with my car. I brought it to the dealer last weekend to have them install the Air Dam things underneath the front bumper and I did notice my mpg go up about 5 mpg, they really made a difference. I'm at the 2000 mile mark, so within another 1000 miles I'll have a broken in motor and hopefully my gas mileage goes up another 10 or so.

The problem is they told me the driver side Air Dam thing, the double sided tape didn't hold so they used glue and held it on/secured it with masking tape which I was to remove 2 days later. When I did I noticed the glue didn't hold so I had to leave this bright orange masking tape on which is somewhat visible on the front bumper. I have to bring it in this weekend to have them re-glue it.

I also noticed that ever since it's been to the dealer my car squeaks now. Now when parked in my driveway, whenever you rock it back and forth slightly in park, you hear a squeaking noise coming out of the front passenger side. Like loose metal or rust or something. Reminds me of a squeaky bed frame. I don't know what it is or what they did to mess it up, should have never brought it there, I was afraid from all these horror stories that they'd cause more problems instead of fixing some.

On the bright side I got a FREE pair of floor matts. When I got the car they were out of stock on floor matts so they put in the computer that I should receive 2 floor matts. 2 weeks later I got a call they were in, so I go to parts and pick them up and install it. They forgot to put it in the computer or something, as when I brought it in to get the Air Dam's installed, whenever they gave it back to me 2 brand new matts were in the back and the service guy said "ohh we gave you the two matts for your car" they never even bothered to look to see the 2 matts already on the floor. So free matts

Last night I picked up those Costco seat covers mentioned in another post. They're only $18.99 and made out of Neoprene, the same material wet suits are made out of. I heard they fit the insight quite nicely and protect the seats very well. I'll take pictures when I install it tomorrow. They were out of gray and black, and red and black I didn't think matched my car so I got blue and black. I'm going to scotch guard my seats first and make sure they're clean (remove any dirty spots with resolve) and then install these seat covers. I can't wait.

 

[Tim Maddux]

You sure it's not just your seat, or the seat belt? My seat belt buckle (the stiff part attached to the seat) sometimes squeaks when it moves.

 

[glitch]

Positive. I had my fiancee behind the car pushing it back and forth and I followed the sound. It's coming from the front, right where the air dams were installed, more toward the passenger side. I'm thinking I'll bring it in on Monday morning.

I installed the cheap $18.99 Costco seat covers today. I swear, for generic seat covers they were made for the Insight! They fit very nicely. Even the cut outs for the seat belts were perfect. They push away a little from the curves of the seat though because of how it's curved, I hope after time they just settle in, otherwise I'll look into velcrow or something. I tested one before puttig it in, I poured water and such on it and put my hand on the other side, perfection, nothing got through. I'll take them off in like a month or two to check the seats underneath them. Even though blue is my favorite color, they're ok in my car but not like grey would look. I'll have to keep checking Costco for the grey ones, then change mine out. I don't know what I'll do with the blue, they'll make a good gift I guess, I have the box. I'll submit a URL later for you all to see how they look installed. Very easy.

 

[Willie Williford]

Seat Covers

How about a brand name and model or part number.

 

[Resist]

The problem with the dealership using glue to secure your air dam is, they won't be able to take it off for replacement down the road. And it will most likely tear the paint and plastic on that area.

It is just a poorly designed part by Honda. They should know better!

 

[Will M]

I remember installing my front air dams on my 2000 Insight with screws and a screwdriver. I don't remember glue or 2-sided tape. Am I remembering poorly, or has the design changed? The screws are already in the car. Unscrew them, put on the dams and reinsert the screws.

Can someone confirm this?

 

[Willie Williford]

Air Dams

I believe he is talking about the Air Dam under the front of the car. Mine is a 2001 and I too had problems with it coming loose. It was held on with two sided tape. I fixed the problem with self tapping screws used to install upholstery trim. They are black and fit pefectly.

 

[Will M]

The reference was to "the air dam things", implying more than one of them. When Insights are shipped, the plastic farings that cover the open air space between the bottom edge of the front bumper and the bottom edge of the front wheel well on each side is not installed. These are wrapped in plastic bags and placed in the trunk. The dealer is supposed to install them before you see the car, but many dealers are clueless on this.

These are the pieces I installed and I thought they were held in place with screws, not two-sided tape. Still, it's been a couple years. Maybe I don't remember well.

 

[boogetyboogety]

Fairings are screwed on...

I just looked... Ours are screwed on, five screws from underneath, and two inside the wheel well inserted towards the front of the car. The screw holes are quite obvious, no mistake possible about where they go. Two sided tape sounds hinky, I would raise hell...

 

[Resist]

Yes they have screws as well as double sided tape! The tape is used because with just the screws the front edges are not flush and smooth. Other Insight sites refer to this bad design problem. Mine looked terrible and had them replaced via warranty.

 

[Jim]

air dam thingies in front of the tires...

The "air dams" in front of the front tires are called strakes. The left strake Honda part #71120-S3Y-000, the right strake part #71110-S3Y-000. I've replaced both of mine due to dealer damage (prior to when I bought the car - different dealer than the one I go to) from reinstalling the forward belly pans and air dam for oil changes. The double stick tape is used to hold the leading edge of the strake - I didn't have any problem with the one on the pass. side, but the one on the driver's side didn't line up quite right (maybe I was in a hurry...). The double stick tape can always be removed and replaced if the rest of the strake is in good shape. Seems like a lot of parts are taped on todays plastic cars. The parts are available and don't cost that much as Honda parts go - probably a few bucks cheaper from B.C. Imports (hparts.com).