So... The odd thing about the Insight-II is that the AC doesn't behave the same way at all stops. I've seen three modes when the car is in idle-stop mode:

-- AC runs at a low level, but cool air comes out.
-- AC runs normally and engine restarts.
-- Fan continues, but air is not cooled.

What determines which three outcomes will occur at any given stop?

 

Indigo,

You hit it on the head with the AC scenarios and it all depends on several different factors. It's a pretty smart little car and when I started reading the owners manual, it opened my eyes to a lot of mysteries.

There is a lot of misconceptions about the "Auto Stop" feature. Break out the owners manual and check it out. Answered all my questions and then some.

Even on the blogs & facebook I see a lot of misunderstandings.

One tip: At red lights on hot days, I pull the parking brake and release the brake pedal. Engine starts up and AC stays crankin..

Cheers,
MAC

 

2010 Insight Auto Stop function as per the owners manuals. Happy reading:

Auto Idle Stop

To help maximize fuel economy, your vehicle has an Auto Idle Stop function. Depending on environmental conditions and vehicle operation, the engine will shut off when you come to a stop

The engine automatically stops when:

The vehicle comes to a stop with the shift lever in the D position and the brake pedal pressed.

The engine may also stop when vehicle speed drops below 7 mph (11 km/h) with the brake pedal pressed


The engine will not stop automatically under the following conditions:

Vehicle speed does not go above 7 mph (11 km/h) after starting the engine

The engine coolant temperature is low

The transmission fluid temperature is low

The vehicle is stopped with the shift position in R, S, or L

When the vehicle is stopped on an incline

The climate control is in use and either defrost* or defrost/feet* is pressed

*The manual actually uses the icons from the climate control here, they won't cut and paste for some reason


The engine may not stop automatically under the following conditions:

The IMA battery charge is low

The IMA battery temperature is excessively high or low

The ECON button is off, and there is a significant difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature setting of the climate control system

The climate control system is in use to dehumidify the moist air inside the vehicle

The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly

When the ECON button is on, the engine is more likely to stop. See page 124 for the ECON button


The engine automatically restarts when:

The brake pedal is released



Under the following conditions, the engine restarts even if the brake pedal is pressed:

The shift position is changed to R or L

The accelerator pedal is pressed

The pressure to the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while stopped on an incline

The IMA battery charge becomes low

The engine coolant temperature becomes low

The pressure on the brake pedal is repeatedly applied and released slightly during a stop

The ECON button is off, and the difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature setting of the climate control system becomes significant

The climate control system starts to dehumidify the interior

This indicator blinks when the Auto Idle Stop system is in operation.*

* Again the picture in the manual won't cut and paste.

If the driver’s door is opened while the indicator is blinking, the buzzer sounds to notify that the Auto Idle Stop system is in operation.


Hope this helps. And remember, when all else fails, RTFM. Cheers.