Honda Insight & Light: 10 Questions Answered (For Newbies)

It doesn’t take you long to see that the Honda Insight is a unique vehicle. Although it looks and drives like a sedan, the Insight offers better gas mileage than most cars—thanks to its hybrid engine.

The Insight is also comfortable to drive and features cutting-edge technology. If you’re interested in a green vehicle that works well as an everyday car, the Insight is a great option.

When you buy the Insight, knowing how the lights work is crucial. This article explores everything connected to lighting on the Honda Insights—light bulb sizes, fixing light issues, turning off DRLs, and more.

Which Light Bulbs Sizes and Types Do Honda Insight Use?

The Honda Insight has undergone multiple iterations over the years, with each generation of model using different bulbs.

To start with, the first-generation Insight (2000-2006) used a 9003 bulb for both low beam and high beam headlights.

After a 4-year production break, the Insight entered production in 2010. It switched to H11 bulbs for low beams and a 9005 bulb for high beams.

The Insight embarked on another hiatus, stretching from 2015 to 2018.

The latest model, released in 2019, uses LED headlights for both high beams and low beams.

Check here for the price of Honda Insight light bulbs on Amazon

How to Turn Off Daytime Running Lights on a Honda Insight

The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) system safeguards you against collision through increased visibility.

More importantly, it makes your vehicle more visible on the road, reducing safety risks.

But your love for DRLs may sour when you realize that they can wear out your headlights quickly.

Since they are running round-the-clock, they’ll increase power use and reduce gas mileage.

Plus, you can’t really watch a movie at a drive-in with active DRLs. These lights will automatically come on when you start the car to enjoy the A/C.

The good thing is you can turn off the daytime running lights on your Insight. You only have to disable the DRL fuse to switch off the DRLs.

This fuse should be in the power distribution box, under the steering column.

It is usually a 7.5A fuse with the “DRL” or “Daytime” label. Pull it and the DRLs on your Honda Insight will be a thing of history.

Honda Insight Light indicator Symbols Explained

The dashboard on your Honda Insight provides information about vehicle condition and operation.

If your car has a problem, a warning light symbol will pop up to notify you.

Admittedly, these indicators are a little difficult to understand, especially for new owners.

But, really, you don’t have to understand every symbol—just know what the symbol’s color means.

Your Honda Insight has three light indicator colors: green, yellow, and red.

Green light indicators usually signal that a system is working properly. Some green light indicators on the Honda Insight include:

• Cruise Control (indicates that your cruise control is active)
• ECON Mode On (stays on when economy mode is active)
• Fog Lights On (signals that your fog lights are working)

Yellow (amber) light indicators show that a system is malfunctioning, or an equipment needs to be checked. Some yellow lights on the Honda Insight include:

• Anti-Lock Brake System (indicates that your ABS has a fault)
• Check Engine Light (shows that your engine has an issue)
• Tire Pressure Light (Blinks when your tires have low air pressure)

Red light indicators usually illuminate to warn drivers of a critical issue.

If a red indicator appears on your dash, stop driving and attend to the problem immediately.

Here are some red light indicators on the Honda Insight:

• Low Oil Pressure (the engine has low oil, which can get it damaged)
• Brake System Failure (the braking system has suffered failure)
• Charging System (your vehicle’s battery isn’t charging properly)

Make sure to also read our article about how long the Honda Insight lasts. 

How Do You Adjust the Light on a Honda Insight?

Having straightened lights on your Honda Insight will increase visibility at night.

And it shows you have concern for other drivers, as your lights won’t glare in their eyes.

Adjusting the lights on your Honda Insight is easier than you can imagine.

But you need to locate the adjusters first—they are usually near headlight assembly, under the hood.

Once you find the adjuster screws, twist them with a flat-head screwdriver to move the headlights.

You can move the lights up and down with the top adjusting screw, while the side adjusting screw is for moving the headlights from side to side.

Before all these, you should have parked your car some meters away from a wall and turned on the headlight. Thus, you’ll know the current pattern of your headlight’s projection.

Someone (not you) should be in the car while you straighten the headlights.

As you adjust, don’t forget to inspect the light beams on the wall to know if the lights are aimed properly.

Please also read our article about the Honda Insight in snow and winter driving. 

How Does the Auto Light Sensitivity Work?

Your Insight uses auto headlights that illuminate once they detect darkness. However, the Auto Light Sensitivity determine how dark it must be before the lights start operating.

If your lights have high sensitivity, they’ll illuminate once minimal darkness appears, even if it’s not totally dark yet.

It’s reversed for low sensitivity lights: they will illuminate only when darkness is thick and visibility is low.

Honda allows you to set the sensitivity of your Auto Lights, offering up to five settings—including High Sensitivity and Low Sensitivity.

What Can Cause the Drive Light to Blink?

When the Drive (D) Light Indicator blinks, it means your transmission has an issue that must be addressed.

It could be a mechanical issue like a faulty shift solenoid or an electrical problem like a faulty transmission speed sensor.

But it could be something else entirely.

For instance, a dirty (and clogged) strainer/orifice can cause the Drive Light to blink.

A faulty binding mechanism is another transmission-related issue that may be responsible for your Drive Light blinking.

If you fix the aforementioned issues, and the issue pops again, call a tech. He should be able to diagnose the vehicle and recommend a fix.

Also check our article about where Honda Insights are made. 

Can I Use Headlight Covers On an Insight?

Headlight covers are transparent materials that you can slap on headlights, so dust or debris doesn’t affect them.

However, you can only use a headlight cover if your state allows it, or you could be breaking the law.

The dispute over headlights stems from their impact on brightness of light beams.

They can reduce the intensity of headlights, which is why some states ban them.

In case headlight covers are illegal where you live, a headlight cleaning kit is a great tool for keeping your headlights clean.

They are usually affordable and can restore headlights to their original clear state.

The Dome/Interior Light Isn’t Working

Do you have a dome light that’s functioning erratically?

The chances are that the unit has experienced some fault. It could have a shorted circuit, loose switch, or misplaced mounting screw.   

However, you should check if the dome light bulb works; it could be worn, which would explain the erratic performance.

Make sure to rule out all possible causes before you ask for a technician’s help to fix your malfunctioning dome light.

You don’t want to waste your money on a problem you could’ve solved yourself.

Do Honda Insights Have LED Lights?

The newest Honda Insights (post-2019) use LED light bulbs for increased visibility. Compared to halogen, LEDs shine brighter and use lesser energy.

However, not all Insights have LED bulbs.

The older first-gen and second-gen models never came standard with LED headlights.

However, you can buy affordable LED replacement headlights if you own an old Insight.

The Lights Come on But the Car Won’t Start’

When your car refuses to start, but the dash lights illuminate, the ignition system should be the no.1 suspect.

Your ignition switch may be defective or the starter worn—your vehicle won’t start in both cases.

The electrical system on your vehicle may also be responsible for the starting issues. A defective alternator, blown fuse, or a weak battery can make it difficult to start.

Whatever the issue, conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle and fix any problems.

If the problem persists, get a mechanic to diagnose your vehicle.

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