hi, Our 2001 Insight has started to lug quite badly at slower speeds. If for instance you are in a 45 mph speed zone it is almost impossible to let the car cruise without it lugging. We usually have to apply more throttle to keep it from this jerking motion. we took it to a dealer who said we should downshift !!!! ater driving it for 6 years something we didin,t need to be told. I read somewhere ethanol in the petrol could be a cause , now it seems almost impossible here in Virginia to get gas without ethanol .
does anyone have any thoughts ?

 

Clean your EGR valve. It has worked for many Insight owners. Refer to the Herky-Jerky threads on InsightCentral.net for instructions.

 

Yes, sounds like EGR valve! H

 

This is probably a bit late but the problem with Insights is the EGR journals plate between the head and intake manifold are carboned up and need cleaning along with the pintle valve seat of the EGR. And if at all possible change pcv, air filter, oil&filter, and plugs more than regular intervals. And if at all possible do not use ethanol as all of these things can make it tough on catalytics and they cost more than batteries. Stay out of lean burn mode unless you're an experienced hypermiler as lean burn throws excessive nox at the cats and will have tobe recirculated back through the EGR to cool cats and you will then feel the lose of power because of the nox the EGR is putting back in the combustion chamber, hence less power to the wheels when you become leaner and it starts to chug when you start to get good mileage, so giving it gas will stop the lean burn and cool the cats. This is worse for 5 speed transmission as they have lean burn jets that the cvt doesnt. And don't forget the gas cap. LOL