[Insighted91]

I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about the technical aspect of jacking up the insight.
We have three covers spaced evenly apart between the jack points on each side. Only the jack points are open. The rest of the rail is covered with the covers or body paneling.
Anyone have a clue what these are for?

 

[insightfully]

Attached are the jacking instructions from the Owners Manual, with jacking points listed. I think the other sections of rail are covered/shielded for aerodynamics (?).

 

[Insighted91]

Thanks. I know where the jack points are, was just wondering what those covers are for. I’ll have to ask the dealer when I go in for my first service. The mystery continues.

 

[madrivereric]

Jacking points?

Today was going to check fitment of the '07 Civic wheels on my Insight for a winter tire swap, but am not finding any obvious rear jacking point. The exhaust is blocking the normal point I'd use on the rear suspension...


Reading in the Emergency Response Guide (https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Training/AFV/Emergency-Response-Guides/Honda/Honda-Insight-HEV-2019--ERG.ashx?la=en) which shows the tow points and structural details, there's a spot where a rear tow hook might be which has stronger material. looking at the car, this spot is exposed from the plastic cover and it looks very tempting as a jack point, but I'd rather not find out it doesn't work...


Found some discussion on the Honda Clarity's jack points which suggested that this spot was suggested for that vehicle, but its response guide shows a different structural design, so not sure.


It sounds like others have done their own wheel swaps - where is your jack point?


Thanks!

 

[Wifey'sInsight]

I know I'm digging up an old thread. Most likely answer is aerodynamics, and/or corrosion resistance.

 

[maynyrd150]

they appear to be mounting points for the composite rocker panel covers. they are hinged to it on the outside edge. they have something like a 10mm hex head in the middle. my guess is that they are designed like this to allow some flexibility if the rocker cover was hit to prevent it from being torn away from the bolts. see attached pic and avatar

 

[maynyrd150]

i used those indicated in the manual with hydraulic jack and a strategically placed 2x4 chunk to try to prevent damage to the undercoating.

 

[madrivereric]

I've normally used the side rail locations for the jackstands and was looking for another location for the hydraulic floor jack. So if the side rail is for the hydraulic jack, where does one locate the jack stands?

 

[Wifey'sInsight]

I don't feel comfortable recommending this to everyone, but if you are only using the jack stands as a safety backup, you can always use the lower control arms. This is at your own risk, I would never personally do this to lift all 4 corners off of the ground.

Personally I'd raise only one corner at a time unless you absolutely had to be under the car.

 

[sEXzNsite]

they appear to be mounting points for the composite rocker panel covers. they are hinged to it on the outside edge. they have something like a 10mm hex head in the middle. my guess is that they are designed like this to allow some flexibility if the rocker cover was hit to prevent it from being torn away from the bolts. see attached pic and avatar

I did see those jack points as indicated in the manual, however those points would basically enable one to jack one wheel at a time. When I jacked at the cross member or the rear pumpkin or axle that would lift either the front or rear of the car and I could place jack stands accordingly. If I wanted to rotate the tires myself, using the suggested jack points would be very cumbersome for such a task

 

[maynyrd150]

If I wanted to rotate the tires myself, using the suggested jack points would be very cumbersome for such a task

yes it would.

i do a rotation once a year to each set of wheels and tires. when i take off one season's set, i write the location it came from. the when returning to that seasons set, i put them in rotated locations. this works best for me.

 

[hasarad]

I do mine every 5K miles. Having a compact spare tire allows me to do everything in 30 minutes. I take this time to clean the inside of my wheels while I have them off. With a good floor jack and impact for lug-nut removal, doing one corner at a time isn't an issue - you just need to utilize the spare tire.

 

[1948man]

I do mine every 5K miles. Having a compact spare tire allows me to do everything in 30 minutes. I take this time to clean the inside of my wheels while I have them off. With a good floor jack and impact for lug-nut removal, doing one corner at a time isn't an issue - you just need to utilize the spare tire.

Do you position the floor jack at the same jacking points for the scissors jack (with a piece of wood fitted in the recessed jack point)? I'm considering a floor jack with a minimum height of 5". I'm not sure I could get it in there if the car was sitting lower than normal due to a flat tire. I got a spare tire and rim off Ebay but don't have a jack.
EDIT, maybe I should just get this one.https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-ton-scissor-jack-66907.html

 

[insightfully]

Do you position the floor jack at the same jacking points for the scissors jack (with a piece of wood fitted in the recessed jack point)? I'm considering a floor jack with a minimum height of 5". I'm not sure I could get it in there if the car was sitting lower than normal due to a flat tire. I got a spare tire and rim off Ebay but don't have a jack.
EDIT, maybe I should just get this one.https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-ton-scissor-jack-66907.html

I think 5" would be too tight a fit. The Insight's ground clearance is 5.06" without load and 4.29" with load. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/4864-post13.html

If it helps, the part number for the jack itself is 89310-S5A-013, and has been used in spare tire kits for Honda's dating 1985 forward. Maybe you can find an used one for cheap (since widely available). - https://www.conicellihondaparts.com/oem-parts/honda-jack-assembly-pantograph-89310s5a013

On Amazon, the package height for the jack part number is listed as 3.5"

 

[1948man]

I think 5" would be too tight a fit. The Insight's ground clearance is 5.06" without load and 4.29" with load. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/4864-post13.html

If it helps, the part number for the jack itself is 89310-S5A-013, and has been used in spare tire kits for Honda's dating 1985 forward. Maybe you can find an used one for cheap (since widely available). - https://www.conicellihondaparts.com/oem-parts/honda-jack-assembly-pantograph-89310s5a013

On Amazon, the package height for the jack part number is listed as 3.5"

Okay, thanks. I think the little Harbor Freight scissor jack would work but will check local salvage for an OEM Honda one.

 

[hasarad]

I'm able to get my 20yo Sears Craftsman jack under the car with no issues. I picked up a rubber insert off eBay to grab the scissor jack point. I haven't changed a flat yet, but I doubt my Sears jack would fit. Fortunately, I bought the jack, tools and foam holder from a 2016 Civic when I got the spare tire.

 

[matttelz]

Quick question


What sorta jack are you guys using? I always used the standard honda jack that came with my accord and obviously the insight doesn't have one so I'm kinda at a loss. Ramps sound good but it won't help when I rotate my tires... Im looking at a scissor jack but a ton seem super sketch on amazon. Looks like a bottle jack may work? Most appear to be too tall and won't clear the height of the car...so I'd have to go low profile..

I'm looking to spend <$50

 

[hasarad]

Quick question


What sorta jack are you guys using? I always used the standard honda jack that came with my accord and obviously the insight doesn't have one so I'm kinda at a loss. Ramps sound good but it won't help when I rotate my tires... Im looking at a scissor jack but a ton seem super sketch on amazon. Looks like a bottle jack may work? Most appear to be too tall and won't clear the height of the car...so I'd have to go low profile..

I'm looking to spend <$50

I use ramps when changing the oil. For tire rotation, I use my trusty ol' Sears Craftsman 3-ton jack. Based on the weight of the Insight, you can get away with a Harbor Freight 1.5-ton aluminum jack for tire rotations. Here's a coupon for it - https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3977_ITEM_PITTSBURGH_RAPID_PUMP_1.5_TON_LIGHTWEIGHT_ALUMINUM_FLOOR_JACK_1578085340.7225.jpeg

If you're looking to stay with the "normal" setup, just get a 2016-2019 Civic spare and tools setup. It'll do what you need. I like a proper floor jack though.

 

[matttelz]

I use ramps when changing the oil. For tire rotation, I use my trusty ol' Sears Craftsman 3-ton jack. Based on the weight of the Insight, you can get away with a Harbor Freight 1.5-ton aluminum jack for tire rotations. Here's a coupon for it - https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3977_ITEM_PITTSBURGH_RAPID_PUMP_1.5_TON_LIGHTWEIGHT_ALUMINUM_FLOOR_JACK_1578085340.7225.jpeg

If you're looking to stay with the "normal" setup, just get a 2016-2019 Civic spare and tools setup. It'll do what you need. I like a proper floor jack though.

THat's a great little jack. I've just started looking at floor jacks and they don't seem too unreasonable. I also need an impact driver.. that'll complete my tools for the new car...

 

[hasarad]

That's a great little jack. I've just started looking at floor jacks and they don't seem too unreasonable. I also need an impact driver.. that'll complete my tools for the new car...

Harbor Freight.

https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3587_ITEM_RAPID_PUMP_3_TON_STEEL_HEAVY_DUTY_LOW_PROFILE_FLOOR_JACK_1563976970.5478.png

https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/4028_ITEM_1_2__HEAVY_DUTY_EXTREME_TORQUE_IMPACT_WRENCH_1578345324.8384.png

I have that impact - works GREAT. I've hear good things about their jacks. I still have my old Craftsman jack, or I would buy one from them.