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2000 RL Online Reference Owner's Manual 

Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. 
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com. 

 

Contents 

 

Owner's Identification Form 

Introduction 

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A Few Words About Safety

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ii 

Your Vehicle at a Glance

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Driver and Passenger Safety 

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Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System. 

Instruments and Controls

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51

Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls. 

Comfort and Convenience Features 

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119

How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features. 

Before Driving

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165

What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo. 

Driving 

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177

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer. 

Maintenance

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201

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer. 

Appearance Care

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261

Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs. 

Taking Care of the Unexpected

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269

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them. 

Technical Information

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295

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information. 

Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)

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309

A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us. 

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)

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315

How to order manuals and other technical literature. 

Index

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I

Service Information Summary

A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Summary of Contents for 2000 RL

Page 1: ... to break in your new vehicle and how to load luggage and other cargo Driving 177 The proper way to start the engine shift the transmission and park plus towing a trailer Maintenance 201 The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer Appearance Care 261 Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs Takin...

Page 2: ...f approval for printing Honda Motor Co Ltd reserves the right however to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and with out incurring any obligation whatsoever OWNER ADDRESS STREET CITY STATE PROVINCE ZIP CODE POSTAL CODE V I N DELIVERY DATE Date sold to original retail purchaser DEALER NAME DEALER NO ADDRESS STREET CITY STATE PROVINCE ZIP CODE POSTAL CODE OWNER...

Page 3: ...klet thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights and responsibilities Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps to keep your driving trouble free while it preserves your investment When your car needs maintenance keep in mind that your Acura dealer s staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura Your Acura...

Page 4: ...d judgement You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms including Safety Labels on the car Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These signal words mean You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions You CAN be HUR...

Page 5: ... 98 INSTRUMENT PANEL P 53 DIGITAL CLOCK P 108 CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM P 120 AUDIO SYSTEM P 134 HOOD RELEASE HANDLE P 168 FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE HANDLE P 167 TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON P 86 POWER WINDOW SWITCHES P 105 DRIVING POSITION MEMORY P 100 ...

Page 6: ... S P 68 70 HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS P 70 REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER P 71 FOG LIGHTS P 67 STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS P 71 HEADLIGHTS TUR N SIGNALS P 63 66 INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS P 66 CRUISE CONTROL P 73 VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM OFF SWITCH P 189 ...

Page 7: ...4 ...

Page 8: ...hildren Must Be Restrained 20 Children Should Sit in the Back Seat 21 The Passenger s Front Airbag Poses Serious Risks to Children 21 If You Must Drive with Several Children 23 If a Child Requires Close Attention 23 Additional Safety Precautions 23 General Guidelines for Using Child Seats 24 Protecting Infants 28 Protecting Small Children 32 Protecting Larger Children 35 Using Child Seats with Tet...

Page 9: ...atal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them or are not properly restrained Infants young children and short adults are at the greatest risk Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in this manual See page 9 Don t Drink and Drive Alcohol and driving don t mix Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions and your reaction time gets worse with every additio...

Page 10: ...r to protect you and your passengers during a crash Some safety features do not require any action on your part These include a strong steel framework that forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment front and rear crush zones that are designed to crumple and absorb energy during a crash a collapsible steering column and seat belt tensioners that automatically tighten the front seat belts...

Page 11: ...at Belts Seat belts are the single most effective safely device for adults and larger children Infants and smaller children must be properly restrained in child seats Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash even though your car has airbags In addition most states and all Canadian provinces require you to wear seat belts When properly worn seat be...

Page 12: ...an reduce your risk of serious injury What you should do Always wear your seat belt and make sure you wear it properly Airbags Your car has a Supplemental Restraint System SRS with front airbags to help protect the heads and chests of the driver and a front seat passenger during a moderate to severe frontal collision Your car also has side airbags to help protect the upper torso of the driver or a...

Page 13: ...o affect your safety For example sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard increases the risk of you or your passenger being injured by striking the inside of the car or by an inflating airbag Reclining a seat back too far reduces the seat belt s effectiveness and increases the chance that the seat s occupant will slide under the seat belt in a crash and be seriously injured What you sh...

Page 14: ...eat see page 20 Front seat occupants are sitting upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard see page 12 Seat backs are upright see page 13 Head restraints are properly adjusted see page 14 All doors are closed and locked see page 12 All cargo is properly stored or secured see page 174 The rest of this section gives more detailed information about how you can maximize...

Page 15: ...trument panel to indicate when a specific door is not tightly closed For safety locking the doors reduces the chance that a passenger especially a child will open a door while the car is moving and accidentally fall out It also reduces the chance of someone being thrown out of the car during a crash For security locked doors can prevent an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door when you come to...

Page 16: ...you investigate whether some type of adaptive equipment may help Once your seat is adjusted correctly rock it back and forth to make sure the seat is locked in position See page 93 for how to adjust the front seats 3 Adjust the Seat Backs Adjust the driver s seat back to a comfortable upright position leaving ample space between your chest and the airbag cover in the center of the steering wheel I...

Page 17: ...crash and being seriously injured The farther a seat back is reclined the greater the risk of injury See page 94 for how to adjust seat backs 4 Adjust the Head Restraints Before driving make sure everyone with an adjustable head restraint has properly positioned the head restraint The restraint should be positioned so the back of the occupant s head rests against the center of the restraint A tall...

Page 18: ...isted because a twisted belt can cause serious injuries in a crash Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across your hips then pull up on the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part fits snugly This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance of internal injuries CONTINUED Driver and Passenger Safety Improperly positioning head restraints reduces...

Page 19: ... four positions Never place the shoulder portion of a lap shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back This could cause very serious injuries in a crash If a seat belt does not seem to work as it should it may not protect the occupant in a crash No one should sit in a seat with an inoperative seat belt Anyone using a seat belt that is not working properly can be seriously injured or killed Hav...

Page 20: ...e engine is off Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash For example if an occupant slouches lies down turns sideways sits forward leans forward or sideways or puts one or both feet up the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased In addition an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or fatally injured by striking interior parts of ...

Page 21: ... always wear a seat belt whenever she drives or rides in a car Remember to keep the lap portion of the belt as low as possible across your hips Pregnant women should also sit upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel or dashboard This will reduce the risk of injuries to both the mother and her unborn child that can be caused by a crash or an inflating airbag Each time you have a ...

Page 22: ...s if your front airbag inflates Do not attach or place objects on the front airbag covers Any object attached to or placed on the covers marked SRS AIRBAG in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags Or if the airbags inflate the objects could be propelled inside the car and hurt someone Do not attach hard objects on or ne...

Page 23: ...e accidents are the number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries every state and Canadian province requires that infants and children be restrained whenever they ride in a vehicle Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat See page 24 A larger child should always be restrained with a seat...

Page 24: ...and it inflates with tremendous speed Infants Never put a rear facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger s front airbag If the airbag inflates it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant Small Children Placing a forward facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger s front airbag ca...

Page 25: ...OF CRASHES YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT DO NOT INSTALL REARWARD FACIN G CHILD SEATS IN ANY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITION DO NOT SIT OR LEAN UNNECESSARIL Y CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG DO NOT PLACE ANY OBJECTS OVER THE AIR BAG OR BETWEEN THE AIR BAG AND YOURSELF SEE THE OWNER S MANUAL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS PRECAUTION POUR EVITER DES BLESSURES GRAVES POUR PROFITER D UNE PROTECTION...

Page 26: ...hild requires attention Placing a child in the front seat exposes the child to hazards from the passenger s front airbag and paying close attention to a child distracts the driver from the important tasks of driving placing both of you at risk If a child requires physical attention or frequent visual contact we strongly recommend that another adult ride with the child in the back seat The back sea...

Page 27: ...s for infants and small children Selecting a Child Seat To provide proper protection a child seat should meet three requirements 1 The child seat should meet safety standards The child seat should meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 FMVSS 213 or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 CMVSS 213 Look for the manufacturer s statement of compliance on the box and seat 2 The child seat s...

Page 28: ...he design of child seats vehicle seats and seat belts all child seats will not fit all vehicle seating positions However Acura is confident that one or more child seat models can fit and be properly installed in all recommended seating positions in your car Before purchasing a child seat we recommend that parents test the child seat in the specific vehicle seating position or positions where they ...

Page 29: ... Recommended positions Secure a rear facing child seat with the seat belt see page 28 Small children Recommended positions Secure a front facing child seat with the seat belt see page 32 Driver and Passenger Safety Airbags Pose Serious Risks to Children The passenger s front airbag inflates with enough force to kill or seriously injure an infant in a rear facing child seat A small child in a forwa...

Page 30: ... a child seat does not need to be rock solid In some vehicles or seating positions it may be difficult to install a child seat so that it does not move at all Some side to side or back and forth movement can be expected and should not reduce the child seat s effectiveness If the child seat is not secure try installing it in a different seating position or use a different style of child seat that c...

Page 31: ...ar facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat but not in the front seat Never put a rear facing child seat in the front seat If the passenger s front airbag inflates it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or seriously injure an infant If an infant must be closely watched we recommend that another adult sit in the back seat with the baby Do not...

Page 32: ...e the belt through the child seat according to the seat maker s instructions then insert the latch plate into the buckle 2 To activate the lockable retractor slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops then let the belt feed back into the retractor you might hear a clicking noise as the belt retracts 3 After the belt has retracted tug on it If the belt is locked you wi...

Page 33: ...put weight on the child seat or push on the back of the seat while pulling up on the belt 5 Push and pull the child seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure enough to stay upright during normal driving maneuvers If the child seat is not secure unlatch the belt allow it to retract fully then repeat these steps To deactivate the locking mechanism and remove a child seat unlatch...

Page 34: ...r case we recommend that you place the child seat directly behind the front passenger seat move the front seat as far forward as needed and leave it unoccupied Or you may wish to get a smaller child seat that allows you to safely carry a front passenger Additional Precautions for Infants Never hold an infant on your lap If you are not wearing a seat belt in a crash you could be thrown forward into...

Page 35: ...equipped with a passenger s front airbag can be hazardous If the vehicle seat is too far forward or the child s head is thrown forward during a collision an inflating front airbag can strike the child with enough force to cause very serious or fatal injuries If a small child must be closely watched we recommend that another adult sit in the back seat with the child If it is necessary to put a forw...

Page 36: ...on route the belt through the child seat according to the seat maker s instructions then insert the latch plate into the buckle 2 To activate the lockable retractor slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops then let the belt feed back into the retractor you might hear a clicking noise as the belt retracts 3 After the belt has retracted tug on it If the belt is locked...

Page 37: ...n the child seat or push on the back of the seat while pulling up on the belt 5 Push and pull the child seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure enough to stay upright during normal driving maneuvers If the child seat is not secure unlatch the belt allow it to retract fully then repeat these steps To deactivate the locking mechanism in order to remove a child seat unlatch the...

Page 38: ...hild reaches the recommended weight or height limit for a forward facing child seat the child should sit in the back seat and wear a lap shoulder belt If a child is too short for the shoulder part of the belt to properly fit we recommend that the child use a booster seat until they are tall enough to use the seat belt without a booster The following pages give instructions on how to check proper s...

Page 39: ...oss the neck This could result in serious neck injuries during a crash Do not let a child put the shoulder part of a seat belt behind the back or under the arm This could cause very serious injuries during a crash It also increases the chance that the child will slide under the belt in a crash and be injured Do not put any accessories on a seat belt Devices intended to improve occupant comfort or ...

Page 40: ...ront The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat The back seat is the safest place for a child of any age or size In addition the passenger s front airbag poses serious risks to children If the seat is too far forward or the child s head is thrown forward during a collision or the child ...

Page 41: ...nt a child must be able to follow the rules including sitting properly and wearing the seat belt properly throughout a ride If you decide that a child can safely ride up front be sure to Carefully read the owner s manual and make sure you understand all seat belt instructions and all safety information Move the vehicle seat to the rear most position Have the child sit up straight back against the ...

Page 42: ...her style child seat to the car Since a tether can provide additional security we recommend using a tether whenever one is required or available Attach the tether strap hook to the tether anchorage point as shown in the illustration and tighten the strap according to the child seat maker s instructions Driver and Passenger Safety ...

Page 43: ...s your chest and across your hips To fasten the belt insert the latch plate into the buckle then tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is latched To unlock the belt push the red PRESS button on the buckle Guide the belt across your body to the door pillar After exiting the car be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the door All seat belts have an emergency locking retracto...

Page 44: ...vated the tensioners immediately tighten the belts to help hold the driver and a front passenger in place The tensioners are designed to activate primarily in frontal collisions The tensioners are independent of the airbag system so they can be activated during a collision that might not cause the airbags to deploy In this case the airbags would not be needed but the additional seat belt tension c...

Page 45: ...ly during normal use Please see your Acura Warranty Information booklet for details If a seat belt is worn during a crash you should have your dealer inspect the belt and replace it if necessary A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of protection in a subsequent crash The dealer should also inspect the anchors for damage and replace them if needed Automatic seat b...

Page 46: ...s and records information about the sensors the control unit the airbag activators driver and passenger seat belt use and all related wiring when the ignition is ON II An indicator light on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible problem with the system see page 45 Emergency backup power in case your car s electrical system is disconnected in a crash How Your Front Airbags Work If you e...

Page 47: ...ere with the driver s visibility or the ability to steer or operate other controls The total time for inflation and deflation is approximately one tenth of a second so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps After a crash you may see what looks like smoke This is actually powder from the airbag s surface Although the powder is not ha...

Page 48: ...e the system checked by your dealer For example If the SRS indicator light does not come on after you turn the ignition ON II If the light stays on after the engine starts If the light comes on or flashes on and off while you drive If you see any of these indications your front or side airbags may not deploy your passenger s side airbag automatic cutoff system may not work properly or your seat be...

Page 49: ... side impact the sensors will detect rapid deceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate either the driver s or the passenger s side airbag Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact If the impact is on the passenger s side the passenger s side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger To get the best protection from the side airbags front seat occupants should wear th...

Page 50: ...ouches and leans sideways and the adult s head is in the deployment path of the airbag A front seat passenger should not use a cushion or other object as a backrest It may prevent the cutoff system from working properly If this light comes on you should have the passenger sit upright Once the passenger is out of the deployment path of the side airbag the airbag will turn on and the light will go o...

Page 51: ...dication the airbags might not inflate when you need them Additional Safety Precautions Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags Together airbags and seat belts provide the best protection Do not tamper with airbag components or wiring for any reason Tampering could cause the airbags to deploy possibly causing very serious injury Do not expose the front seat backs to water If rain or spilled wate...

Page 52: ...pen run the engine only long enough to move the vehicle out of the garage With the trunk lid open air flow can pull exhaust gas into your car s interior and create a hazardous condition If you must drive with the trunk lid open open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below If you must sit in your parked car even in an unconfined area with the engine running adjust the clim...

Page 53: ...otential hazards that could cause serious injury Read these labels carefully If a label comes off or becomes hard to read contact your Acura dealer for a replacement Driver and Passenger Safety DASHBOARD U S models only HOOD RADIATOR CAP SUN VISOR U S models Canadian models ...

Page 54: ...73 Remote Audio Controls 76 Keys and Locks 77 Keys 77 Immobilizer System 78 Ignition Switch 80 Power Door Locks 81 Remote Transmitter 82 Childproof Door Locks 85 Trunk 86 Glove Box 87 HomeLink Universal Transmitter 88 Customer Assistance 88 Important Safety Precautions 88 Training the Transmitter 89 Training With a Rolling Code System 91 Erasing Codes 92 Seat Adjustments 93 Driver s Seat Adjustmen...

Page 55: ...POSITION MEMORY P 100 POWER WINDOW SWITCHES P 105 TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON P 86 FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE HANDLE P 167 CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM P 120 AUDIO SYSTEM P 134 HOOD RELEASE HANDLE P 168 Instruments and Controls DIGITAL CLOCK P 108 MIRROR CONTROLS P 98 ...

Page 56: ...DICATOR LAMP VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTA L RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP M...

Page 57: ...nformation see page 282 Charging System Indicator If this light comes on when the engine is running the battery is not being charged For complete information see page 283 Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator This light has two functions 1 It comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON II as a reminder to check the parking brake If the parking brake is not set it goes off after the engine sta...

Page 58: ...ave inserted a properly coded ignition key If it is not a properly coded key the indicator will blink and the engine will not start see page 78 This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignition switch from ON II to ACCESSORY I or LOCK 0 Malfunction Indicator Lamp See page 284 Supplemental Restraint System Indicator This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON II If ...

Page 59: ...at you have turned off the Vehicle Stability Assist VSA system 2 It flashes when VSA is active see page 189 3 It comes on along with the VSA system indicator if there is a problem with the VSA system This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON II See page 189 for more information on the VSA system Anti lock Brake System ABS Indicator This light normally ...

Page 60: ...he bulb as soon as possible since other drivers cannot see that you are signalling When you turn on the Hazard Warning switch both turn signal lights blink All turn signals on the outside of the vehicle should flash Low Fuel Indicator This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon High Beam Indicator This light comes on with the high beam headlights See page 63 for information on the ...

Page 61: ...n kilometers per hour km h The smaller inner numbers are the speed in miles per hour mph Tachometer The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute rpm To protect the engine from damage never drive with the tachometer needle in the red zone MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR TRIP METER OUTSID E TEMPERATUR E INDICATOR RESET BUTTON Instruments and Controls ODOMETER FUEL GAUGE TACHOMETER ...

Page 62: ...ay between the trip meter and the outside temperature press the Select button When you turn the ignition switch to ON II what you last selected is displayed Trip Meter The trip meter shows the number of miles U S or kilometers Canada driven since you last reset it There are two trip meters Trip A and Trip B Switch between these and the outside temperature display by pressing the Select button repe...

Page 63: ...ngine s coolant During normal operation the pointer should rise from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge In severe driving conditions such as very hot weather or a long period of uphill driving the pointer may rise to near the upper white mark If it reaches the red Hot mark pull safely to the side of the road Turn to page 280 for instructions and precautions on checking the engi...

Page 64: ...n you first turn the ignition switch ON II and then flash for ten seconds If you exceed 7 500 miles 12 000 km without having the scheduled maintenance performed this indicator will remain on as a constant reminder Your dealer will reset this indicator after completing the scheduled maintenance If this maintenance is done by someone other than your Acura dealer reset the indicator as follows 1 Turn...

Page 65: ...trols under the left air vent are for the cruise control instrument panel brightness and the VSA System The switches for the rear window defogger and fog lights are under the audio system The steering wheel adjustment switch on the side of the steering column allows you to tilt and telescope the steering wheel Instruments and Controls WINDSHIELD WIPERS WASHER S HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS TUR...

Page 66: ...n switch in ACCESSORY I or LOCK 0 you will hear a reminder chime when you open the driver s door On cars with automatic lighting When the light switch is in either of these positions the Lights On indicator comes on as a reminder This light remains on if you leave the light switch on and turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY I or LOCK 0 To change between low beams and high beams pull the turn sign...

Page 67: ...time The lights will come on automatically when the outside light level becomes low at dusk for example The Lights On indicator comes on as a reminder The lights and indicator will turn off automatically when the system senses high ambient light The lights will remain on when you turn off the ignition switch They will turn off automatically when you open the driver s door To turn them on again eit...

Page 68: ...hting feature is controlled by a sensor located on top of the dashboard Do not cover this sensor or spill liquids on it Daytime Running Lights Canadian Models With the headlight switch off the high beam headlights come on with reduced brightness when you turn the ignition switch to ON II and release the parking brake They remain on until you turn the ignition off even if you set the parking brake ...

Page 69: ...light switch to or Turning the instrument panel brightness control fully to the left past the detent will return the instru ment panel to its full brightness Turn Signals Signal a turn or lane change with this lever Push down on the lever to signal a left turn and up to signal a right turn If you push it up or down all the way the turn signal continues to blink even when you release the lever It s...

Page 70: ...he button The indicator in the button lights to show the fog lights are on You can use the fog lights only when the headlights are on low beam They will go off when you turn the headlights off or onto high beam On cars with automatic lighting With the light switch in the AUTO position you can also use the fog lights when the headlights turn on automatically They will go off when the headlights tur...

Page 71: ...ry few seconds The sweep interval will change slightly with speed getting shorter as you drive faster In low speed and high speed the wipers run continuously You can vary how often the wipers sweep the windshield by turning the INT TIME ring next to the rotary switch If you turn the INT TIME ring to the shortest delay the wipers will change from intermittent to low speed operation when vehicle spe...

Page 72: ...lightly above the edge of the hood This reduces the possibili ty of damage to the wiper arms or windshield wiper motor by a build up of snow and ice Adjust the wiper arms to the winter position by grasping either arm near the pivot Pull on the arm parallel to the windshield until it locks in the higher position Push the arm in the other direction to return the wipers to the summer position A heavy...

Page 73: ... one more sweep of the windshield after you release it Hazard Warning Push the red button to the left of the clock to turn on the hazard warning lights four way flashers This causes all four outside turn signals and both indicators in the instrument panel to flash Use the hazard warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic or if your car is disabled Cars with navigatio...

Page 74: ...ty before starting to drive The defogger and antenna wires on the inside of the rear window can be accidentally damaged When cleaning the glass always wipe side to side Steering Wheel Adjustments See page 17 for important safety information about how to properly position the steering wheel Your Acura s steering wheel is electrically adjustable for angle and distance The adjustment switch is on the...

Page 75: ... wheel reaches the desired position Make sure the steering wheel points towards your chest not toward your face and that you can see the instrument panel gauges and warning lights Automatic Movement AUTO SWITCH The AUTO switch controls automat ic movement of the steering wheel When this switch is in the ON posi tion the steering wheel automatical ly moves fully in and up when you re move the key f...

Page 76: ... for cruising on straight open highways It is not recommended for conditions such as city driving winding roads slippery roads heavy rain or bad weather You should have full control of the car under those conditions Using the Cruise Control CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCH 1 Push in the Cruise Control Master Switch to the left of the steering column The indicator in the switch will light 2 Accelerate ...

Page 77: ...ONTROL light on the instrument panel comes on When climbing a steep hill the automatic transmission may downshift to hold the set speed Changing the Set Speed You can increase the set cruising speed in any of these ways Press and hold the RESUME accel button The car will acceler ate When you reach the desired cruising speed release the button Push on the accelerator pedal Ac celerate to the desire...

Page 78: ...amounts tap the SET decel button repeatedly Each time you do this your car will slow down about 1 mph 1 6 km h Even with the cruise control turned on you can still use the accelerator pedal to speed up for passing After completing the pass take your foot off the accelerator pedal The car will return to the set cruising speed Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause the cruise control to can...

Page 79: ...d then press and release the RESUME accel button The CRUISE CONTROL light comes on The car will accelerate to the same cruising speed as before Pressing the Cruise Control Master Switch turns the system completely off and erases the previous cruising speed from memory To use the system again refer to Using the Cruise Control Remote Audio Controls AUDIO CH BUTTON These buttons let you control some ...

Page 80: ...late with your keys You will need this key number if you ever have to get a lost key replaced Keep the plate stored in a safe place If you need to replace a key use only an Acura approved key blank These keys contain electronic circuits that are activated by the Immobilizer System They will not work to start the engine if the circuits are damaged Protect the keys from direct sunlight high temperat...

Page 81: ...is happens you should contact your Acura dealer If you need a new key made take the key number plate the learning key and all other keys that came with your car to your Acura dealer Immobilizer System The Immobilizer System protects your car from theft A properly coded master or valet key must be used in the ignition switch for the engine to start If an improperly coded key or other device is used...

Page 82: ...vices to it Electrical problems could result that may make your car undriveable If you have lost your key and you cannot start the engine contact your Acura dealer As required by the FCC This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received incl...

Page 83: ...he left or to the right as you turn the key ACCESSORY I In this position you can operate the audio system and the cigarette lighter ON II This is the normal key position when driving All features and accessories on the car are usable Several of the lights on the instru ment panel come on as a test when you turn the ignition switch from ACCESSORY to ON START III Use this position only to start the ...

Page 84: ...o lock any passenger s door when getting out of the car push the lock tab down and close the door To lock the driver s door remove the key from the ignition switch and push the lock tab down or push the master switch down then close the door All doors can be locked from the outside by using the key in either front door To unlock only the driver s door from the outside insert the key in the driver ...

Page 85: ... with the remote transmitter When you push the LOCK button all doors lock You will hear a beep and the parking lights taillights and license plate lights will flash once When you push the UNLOCK button once only the driver s door unlocks The remaining doors unlock when you push the button a second time You will hear two beeps and the outside lights will flash twice each time you push the button Th...

Page 86: ... off the beep the exterior lights will still flash To turn this feature off stand near the car with the remote transmitter Press and hold the Trunk Release button then press the Lock button within one second You should see the LED on the remote transmitter come on for one second Release the buttons after the LED goes out To turn this feature on repeat the above procedure You should see the LED bli...

Page 87: ... battery remove the round cover on the back of the trans mitter by turning it counterclockwise with a coin Remove the old battery and note the polarity Make sure the polarity of the new battery is the same side facing up then insert it in the transmitter Reinstall the cushion ring Align the mark on the cover with the mark on the transmitter then set the cover in place and turn it clockwise Instrum...

Page 88: ...severe shock to the trans mitter such as dropping or throwing it Also protect it from extreme hot or cold temperatures Clean the transmitter case with a soft cloth Do not use strong cleaners or solvents that could harm the case Immersing the transmitter in any liquid will harm the trans mitter and cause it to not function properly If you lose a transmitter you will need to have the replacement pro...

Page 89: ...ress down on the trunk lid See page 174 for cargo loading and weight limit information Keep the trunk lid closed at all times while driving to avoid damaging the lid and to prevent exhaust gas from getting into the interior See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 49 To protect items in the trunk when you need to give the key to someone else 1 Disable the trunk release button on the driver s door by tur...

Page 90: ...ster key or the remote transmitter Glove Box Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle Close it with a firm push Lock or unlock the glove box with the master key The glove box light comes on only when the parking lights are on Instruments and Controls An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger in a crash even if the passenger is wearing the seat belt Always keep the ...

Page 91: ... that came with your garage door opener or other equipment you intend to operate with the HomeLink Universal Transmitter If you do not have this information you should contact the manufacturer of the equipment While training or using the transmitter make sure you have a clear view of the garage door or gate and that no one will be injured by its movement If your garage door opener was manufactured...

Page 92: ...he HomeLink transmitter Make sure you are not blocking your view of the red light in the transmitter 3 Select the transmitter button you want to train 4 Press the button on the remote control and the button on the transmitter at the same time Hold down both buttons 5 The red light in the transmitter should begin flashing It will flash slowly at first then rapidly 6 When the red light flashes rapid...

Page 93: ...mitter stores the code in a permanent memory There should be no need to retrain the transmitter if your car s battery goes dead or is disconnected Retraining a Button To train an already programmed transmitter button to operate a new device 1 Select the transmitter button you want to train 2 Press and hold the transmitter button until the red light begins to flash slowly approximately 20 seconds 3...

Page 94: ...n your garage door opener motor control unit The location will vary depending on the manufacturer The manufacturer s documentation may help 3 Press the Training button on the motor control unit until the Training light comes on then release it 4 Press and release the desired button on the HomeLink transmitter 5 Press and release the HomeLink transmitter button again This should turn off the traini...

Page 95: ...This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment This device complies with Industry Canada Standard RSS 210 Operation is subject to the followi...

Page 96: ... adjust the power seats with the ignition switch in any position Driver s Seat Adjustments The long horizontal switch adjusts the seat bottom in several directions The short vertical switch adjusts the seat back angle Push the horizontal switch forward or backward to move the seat forward or backward Pull up or push down on the front of the switch to move the seat bottom s front edge up or down Pu...

Page 97: ...le by pushing the rear switch in the direction you want to move The driver s seat includes a memory feature Two seat positions can be stored in separate memories You can then select a memorized position by pushing the appropriate memory button Refer to page 100 for how to memorize and select the seat positions Instruments and Controls ...

Page 98: ...h forward or backward to move the seat bottom in that direction Adjust the seat back angle by pushing the vertical switch in the direction you want to move Head Restraints See page 14 for important safety information and a warning about how to properly position the head restraints The head restraints help protect you and your passengers from whiplash and other injuries They are most effective when...

Page 99: ...emove a head restraint for cleaning or repair pull it up as far as it will go Push the release button and pull the restraint out of the seat back The lid of the console compartment can be used as an armrest at the high or low position To raise the armrest push the button on the lid Make sure the armrest is securely latched To lower it press the button and push the armrest down until it latches Mak...

Page 100: ...ushing or pulling on the cover To close the cover swing it up and push firmly on the top Make sure it latches properly Make sure all items in the trunk and those extending through the pass through are secured For security this cover can be locked and unlocked only with the master key To lock the cover insert the key and turn it clockwise Never drive with this cover open and the trunk lid open See ...

Page 101: ...dicator will light When the mirror senses light from the headlights of the car behind you the mirror surface will automatically darken to reduce the glare Adjusting the Power Mirrors Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment button on the driver s door armrest 1 Turn the ignition switch ON II 2 Move the selector switch to L driver s side or R passenger s side Instruments and Controls SENSOR A...

Page 102: ... can t move a mirror out of position by accidentally bumping the button Outside mirror positions can be stored in the driving position memory system see page 100 HEATED MIRROR BUTTON The outside mirrors are heated to re move fog and frost With the ignition switch ON II turn on the heaters by pressing the button The light in the button comes on as a reminder Press the button again to turn the heate...

Page 103: ...annot add a new driving position in the memory unless the ignition switch is ON II You can recall a memorized position with the ignition switch in any position 2 Adjust the seat to a comfortable position see page 93 Adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable position see page 71 Adjust the outside mirrors for best visibility see page 98 MEMO BUTTON 3 Press and release the MEMO button on the contro...

Page 104: ... goes dead or is disconnected Selecting a Memorized Position You can select memorized positions as follows 1 Make sure the parking brake is set and the shift lever is in Park 2 Insert the key in the ignition switch If you do not insert the key in the ignition switch the steering wheel will not adjust to the memorized position until you do 3 Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 until you hear a b...

Page 105: ...n the ignition switch You will hear two beeps when it is complete If desired you can use the adjust ment switches to change the posi tions of the seat steering wheel or outside mirrors after they are in their memorized position To keep this driving position for later use you must store it in the driving posi tion memory Seat Heaters SEAT HEATERS Both front seats are equipped with seat heaters The ...

Page 106: ...he passenger s seat back Follow these precautions whenever you use the seat heaters Use the HI setting only to heat the seats quickly Select the LO setting when the seats feel warm The HI setting draws large amounts of current from the battery Do not use the seat heaters even on the LO setting if the engine is left idling for an extended period They can weaken the battery causing hard starting Ski...

Page 107: ...e center console 5 Use the strap on the ski sleeve to secure it tightly to the rear seat armrest Follow these precautions when you use the ski sleeve Do not transport skis that are longer or heavier than these limits Maximum length 84 in 215 cm Maximum weight 55 Ibs 25 kg After use make sure the ski sleeve is dry both inside and out before folding it up for storage This will help to prevent mildew...

Page 108: ...RIVER S WINDOW SWITCH MAIN SWITCH The driver s door armrest has a master power window control panel To open any of the passengers win dows push down on the appropriate switch and hold it down until the window reaches the desired position To close the window pull back on the window switch Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want CONTINUED Instruments and Controls Closing a p...

Page 109: ...this switch off the passengers windows cannot be raised or lowered The MAIN switch does not affect the driv er s window Keep the MAIN switch off when you have children in the car so they do not injure themselves by operating the windows unintentional ly The lights inside the switches come on when you turn the parking lights or headlights on The power window system has a key off delay function The ...

Page 110: ...rom opening all the way push the switch forward briefly To open the moonroof partially pull the OPEN CLOSE switch backward lightly and hold it until the moonroof reaches the desired position The AUTO function only works to open the moonroof TILT UP SWITCH When you push and hold the TILT UP switch the rear of the moonroof will tilt up To close it push the OPEN CLOSE switch forward If you pull the s...

Page 111: ...parking brake the ABS indicator may come on and the ABS may not work properly The VSA system indicator will also come on along with the ABS indicator see page 187 Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles Digital Clock 3 5 RL without Navigation System The digital clock displays the time with the ignition switch ON II To see the time with the ignition off p...

Page 112: ...ress and hold the MIN button until the numbers advance to the desired time You can use the RESET button to quickly set the time to the nearest hour If the displayed time is before the half hour pressing RESET button sets the clock back to the previous hour If the displayed time is after the half hour pressing the RESET button sets the clock for ward to the beginning of the next hour For example 1 ...

Page 113: ...ure the holder is closed while you are driving Some larger styles of sunglasses may not fit in the holder You may also store small items in this holder Make sure they are small enough to let the holder close and latch and that they are not heavy enough to cause the holder to pop open while driving Instruments and Controls SUNGLASSES HOLDER Push ...

Page 114: ...Be careful when you are using the beverage holder A spilled liquid that is very hot can scald you or your passengers Spilled liquids can also damage the upholstery carpeting and electrical components in the interior The rear seat also has a beverage holder in the center armrest To use it pivot the armrest down Instruments and Controls ...

Page 115: ...own until it latches You can put small items in the tray located in the console compartment lid To use the tray pull the right lever and lift up the armrest pad Coin Box The coin box is located under the air vent To open the coin box push on the front To close it push it in until it clicks Instruments and Controls LEVER COIN BOX LEVER CONSOLE COMPARTMENT ...

Page 116: ...this position the sun visor can be extended by sliding out the extension Make sure you put the sun visor back in place when you are getting into or out of the car Do not use the sun visor extension over the rear view mirror Vanity Mirror To use a vanity mirror on the back of the sun visor pull up the cover The light beside the mirror comes on when you pull up the cover Instruments and Controls EXT...

Page 117: ... II This socket is intended to supply power for 12 volt DC accessories that are rated 120 watts or less 10 amps It will not power an automotive type cigarette lighter element Use the notch in the edge of the console compartment to route the wire to the accessory power socket Instruments and Controls ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET NOTCH ...

Page 118: ...by pushing on it The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY I or ON II for the cigarette lighter to work To heat up the lighter push it in It will pop out when it is ready for use Do not hold the lighter in while it is heating up you could cause it to overheat Instruments and Controls CIGARETTE LIGHTER Push ...

Page 119: ...r ashtrays are in the front lower corner of each door Open the ashtray by swinging the upper edge of the lid down To remove the ashtray for emptying open it then lift up and out Use the ashtray only for cigarettes cigars and other smoking materials To prevent a possible fire and damage to your car don t put paper or other things that can burn in the ashtray Instruments and Controls TAB INNER TRAY ...

Page 120: ...ade out in about 10 seconds In the ON position far FRONT right the main lights stay on continuously Turn on the spotlights in the front and rear ceiling lights by pushing the grey button next to each light Push the button again to turn it off You can use the front spotlights at all times The rear spotlights only light when the parking lights or head lights are on REAR On cars with automatic lighti...

Page 121: ... the switch in the center position come on when you unlock the door with the key lock tab on the driver s door master door lock switch or remote transmitter see page 82 If you relock the driver s door or close the driver s door with the key in the ignition switch the lights turn off immediately Otherwise they remain on then fade out in about 10 seconds The door courtesy lights and ceiling lights w...

Page 122: ...utomatic Operation 128 Rear Ventilation 132 Sunlight Sensor Temperature Sensor 133 Audio System 134 AM FM Cassette Stereo Audio System 134 3 5 RL without Navigation System Operating the Radio 135 Adjusting the Sound 138 Audio System Lighting 139 Operating the Cassette Player 139 Tape Search Functions 140 Operating the CD Changer 142 3 5 RL with Navigation System Operating the Radio 145 Adjusting t...

Page 123: ...adjustable Move the tab in the center of each vent up and down and side to side The side vents can be opened and closed with the dials next to them In the rear seat you can also adjust the ventilation when the climate con trol system is on see page 132 CENTER VENTS The climate control system draws air through the exterior vents at the bottom of the windshield Keep these vents clear of leaves and o...

Page 124: ...ClimateControl System Comfort and Convenienc e Features ...

Page 125: ...perature When you set the temperature to its lower limit 60 F 18 C or its upper limit 90 F 32 C the system runs at full cooling or heating only It does not regulate the interior temperature When the temperature is set between the lower and upper limits the system regulates the interior temperature to the set value In cold weather the fan will not come on automatically until the car has been driven...

Page 126: ...OFF or A C ON When you turn the A C off the sys tem cannot regulate the inside tem perature if you set the dial below the outside temperature With the A C on use the temperature control dial to adjust the temperature of the air flow to a comfortable setting TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON RECIRCULATE D AIR With the A C in economy mode you will see A C ECON in the system s display ...

Page 127: ...an Control Dial You can manually select the fan speed by turning the fan control dial When you turn the dial clockwise the fan is taken out of automatic mode and starts to run at its lowest speed Turning the dial fully clockwise increases the fan s speed which increases air flow MODE BUTTON FAN CONTROL DIAL RECIRCULATE D AIR Mode Button Use the MODE button to select the vents the air flows from So...

Page 128: ...vents and de froster vents at the base of the wind shield The main air flow comes from the floor vents The main air flow is divided between the dashboard vents and the floor vents The main air flow comes from the dashboard vents CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 129: ... When you select the A C turns on automatically and the system selects Fresh Air mode For faster defrosting manually set the fan speed to high You can also increase air flow to the windshield by closing the side vents in the dashboard When you turn off by pressing the button again the system returns to its former settings Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 130: ...t temperature When you set the temperature to its lower limit 60 F 18 C or its upper limit 90 F 32 C the system runs at full cooling or heating only It does not regulate the interior temperature FAN CONTROL DIAL FULL AUTO DISPLAY When the temperature is set between the lower and upper limits the system regulates the interior temperature to the set value In cold weather the fan will not come on aut...

Page 131: ...ECON A C OFF or A C ON When you turn theA C off the sys tem cannot regulate the inside tem perature if you set the dial below the outside temperature With the A C on use the temperature control dial to adjust the temperature of the air flow to a comfortable setting AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL RECIRCULATIO N BUTTON With the A C in economy mode you will seeA C ECON in the system...

Page 132: ... Dial You can manually select the fan speed by turning the fan control dial When you turn the dial clockwise the fan is taken out of automatic mode and starts to run at its lowest speed Turning the dial fully clockwise increases the fan s speed which increases air flow FAN CONTROL DIAL MODE BUTTON RECIRCULATIO N BUTTON Mode Button Use the MODE button to select the vents the air flows from Some air...

Page 133: ...loor vents and de froster vents at the base of the wind shield The main air flow comes from the floor vents The main air flow is divided between the dashboard vents and the floor vents The main air flow comes from the dashboard vents Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 134: ...m selects Fresh Air mode For faster defrosting manually set the fan speed to high You can also increase air flow to the windshield by closing the side vents in the dashboard When you turn off by pressing the button again the system returns to its former settings Rear Window Defogger Button This button turns the rear window defogger on and off see page 71 REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON Comfort and Con...

Page 135: ...r vents Slide this lever upward to increase the amount of air flow Upper position Maximum Center position Moderate Lower position Off Mode Control Lever Use the mode control lever to select the air flow level Air flows into the rear seat at three levels Upper position Air flows from the upper vents in the back of the center console Center position Air flow is divided between the upper vents and th...

Page 136: ...ate control system has two sensors A sunlight sensor is located in the top of the dashboard and a temperature sensor is next to the steering column Do not cover the sensors or spill any liquid on them Comfort and Convenience Features SUNLIGHT SENSOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR ...

Page 137: ...CrO2 tape and autoreverse for continuous play Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo ration DOLBY and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation The anti theft feature will disable the system if it is disconnected from the car s battery To get the system working again you must enter a code number see page 162 3 5...

Page 138: ...io stations on the selected band TUNE SEEK or the Preset buttons TUNE Use the TUNE knob to tune the radio to a desired frequency Turn the TUNE knob to the right to tune to a higher frequency or to the left to tune to a lower frequency Turn the knob right or left until the display reaches the desired frequen cy SEEK The SEEK function searches the band for a station with a strong signal To activate ...

Page 139: ...ress the button and hold it until you hear a beep 4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total of six stations on AM and twelve on FM Once a station s frequency is stored simply press and release the proper Preset button to tune to it The preset frequencies will be lost if your car s battery goes dead is disconnected or the radio fuse is removed PWR VOL KNOB SEEK SKIP BUTTONS PRESET BUTTONS Comfort and ...

Page 140: ...u are in a remote area Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations If this happens you will see a 0 displayed when you press any preset button that does not have a station stored AUTO SELECT INDICATOR AM FM BUTTON AUTO SELECT BUTTON SEEK SKIP BUTTONS PRESET BUTTONS With Auto Select on you cannot manually store any frequencies in the preset buttons If you do not lik...

Page 141: ...er and adjust the side to side sound to your liking Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it BASS FADER CONTROL TREBLE BALANC E CONTROL Treble Bass Use these controls to adjust the tone to your liking To adjust the Treble level push on the TREBLE BALANCE control knob to get it to pop out Without pulling it out farther turn the knob to adju...

Page 142: ...serted facing upward is now playing If you want to play the other side press the PROG PLAY button Dolby B noise reduction turns on when you insert a cassette The indicator will light in the dis play If the tape was not recorded with Dolby B noise reduction turn it off by pressing the button When the system reaches the end of the tape it will automatically reverse direction and play the other side ...

Page 143: ... You will see FF displayed Press the PROG PLAY button to take the system out of rewind or fast forward When the system reaches the end of the tape it reverses direction and begins to play if in fast forward or it begins to play if in rewind Comfort and Convenience Features AM FM BUTTON PWR VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TMS INDICATOR DOLBY INDICATOR TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR EJECT BUTTON REPEAT INDICATOR T...

Page 144: ...n the display as the tape rewinds To find the beginning of the next song push the FF button You will see FF flashing in the display as the tape fast forwards When the system finds the beginning of a song or pas sage it goes back to PLAY mode Press the TMS button again to turn it off CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features CASSETTE SLOT TMS INDICATOR EJECT BUTTON REPEAT INDICATOR REPEAT BUTTON T...

Page 145: ... a song or passage These features may not work to your satisfaction if there is almost no gap between selections a high noise level between selections or a silent period in the middle of a selection Caring for Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems See page 154 for information on cassette care and protection Operating the CD Changer A Compact Disc changer is s...

Page 146: ... disc in the magazine is loaded and played After the last disc finishes the system returns to disc 1 To select a different disc press the appropriate preset button 1 6 If you select an empty slot in the magazine the changer will after finding that slot empty try to load the CD in the next slot This continues until it finds a CD to load and play CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features A SELECT I...

Page 147: ...ed plays the tracks on a CD in random order rather than in the order they are recorded on the CD To activate Random Play press the A SELECT button You will see A SELECT in the display The sys tem will then select and play tracks randomly on the current disc When all tracks on that disc have been played the next disc is loaded and played randomly This continues un til you deactivate Random Play by ...

Page 148: ...hree methods to find radio stations on the selected band TUNE SEEK or the Preset buttons TUNE Use the TUNE bar to tune the radio to a desired frequency Push and release the appropriate side of the bar quickly The frequency numbers will change in small increments SEEK The SEEK function searches the band for a station with a strong signal To activate it push either of the SEEK bar or until you hear ...

Page 149: ...ation Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep 4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total of six stations on AM and twelve on FM Once a station s frequency is stored simply press and release the proper Preset button to tune to it The preset frequencies will be lost if your car s battery goes dead is disconnected or the radio fuse is removed Comfort and Convenience Features STEREO INDICATOR P...

Page 150: ...s If you are in a remote area Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations If this happens you will see a 0 displayed when you press any preset button that does not have a station stored With Auto Select on you cannot manually store any frequencies in the preset buttons If you do not like the stations found by Auto Select you can use the TUNE and SEEK functions to f...

Page 151: ...er and adjust the side to side sound to your liking Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it Treble Bass Use these controls to adjust the tone to your liking To adjust the Treble level push on the TREBLE BALANCE control knob to get it to pop out Without pulling it out farther turn the knob to adjust the treble level Push the knob back in w...

Page 152: ...gh the announcer may identify the station as FM101 RadioReception How well your Acura s radio receives stations is dependent on many factors such as the distance from the station s transmitter nearby large objects and atmospheric conditions A radio station s signal gets weaker as you get farther away from its transmitter If you are listening to an AM station you will notice the sound volume becomi...

Page 153: ...tion can be affected by atmospheric conditions such as thunderstorms high humidity and even sunspots You may be able to receive a distant radio station one day and not receive it the next day because of a change in conditions Electrical interference from passing vehicles and stationary sources can cause temporary reception problems As required by the FCC Changes or modifications not expressly appr...

Page 154: ...cassette from the drive press the EJECT button If you turn the system off while a tape is playing either with the PWR VOL knob or by turning off the ignition the cassette will remain in the drive When you turn the system back on the tape will begin playing where it left off To switch to the radio or CD changer while listening to a tape press the AM FM or CD TAPE but ton To change back to the casse...

Page 155: ...de You will see TMS indicator and the indicator in the REW button flashing To find the beginning of the next song push the bar on the side You will see TMS indicator and the indicator in the FF button flashing Comfort and Convenience Features TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR CASSETTE SLOT PWR VOL KNOB EJECT BUTTON TMS INDICATOR DOLBY BUTTON AM FM BUTTON CD TAPE BUTTON REWIND BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON FAST FORW...

Page 156: ...urns to PLAY mode It will continue to repeat this same program until you deactivate REPEAT by pressing the button again Pressing the REW or FF button also turns off REPEAT The TMS and REPEAT functions use silent periods on the tape to find the end of a song or passage These features may not work to your satisfaction if there is almost no gap between selections a high noise level between selections...

Page 157: ... peeling off remove it from the cassette or it could cause the cassette to jam in the player Never try to insert a warped or damaged cassette in the player When they are not in use store cassettes in their cases to protect them from dust and moisture Never place cassettes where they will be exposed to direct sunlight high heat or high humidity If a cassette is exposed to extreme heat or cold let i...

Page 158: ...m in the drive or cause other problems To operate the CD changer the igni tion switch must be in ACCESSORY I or ON II Select the CD mode by pressing the CD TAPE button You will see CD in the display The system will start to play the first track of the first disc in the magazine You will see the disc and track number displayed When that disc ends the next disc in the magazine is loaded and played A...

Page 159: ...EAT in the display as a reminder Press the REPEAT button again to turn it off RANDOM PLAY This feature when activated plays the tracks on a CD in random order rather than in the order they are recorded on the CD To activate Random Play press the A SELECT button You will see A SELECT in the display The sys tem will then select and play tracks randomly on the current disc When all tracks on that dis...

Page 160: ...The CD changer is located in the trunk on the driver s side 1 Slide the lid to open the CD changer 2 Push the EJECT button to remove the CD magazine The magazine will pop up automatically CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Slide EJECT BUTTON ...

Page 161: ...he printed surface up as shown 5 Reinstall the tray in the magazine Repeat this procedure for the oth er five trays 6 Store all six trays in the magazine and then reinstall the magazine in the CD changer as shown in the il lustration 7 Slide the lid closed until it clicks Comfort and Convenience Features TAB TRAY ...

Page 162: ...page keep CDs out of direct sunlight and extreme heat To clean a disc use a clean soft cloth Wipe across the disc from the center to the outside edge A new CD may be rough on the inner and outer edges The small plastic pieces causing this roughness can flake off and fall on the re cording surface of the disc causing skipping or other problems Remove these pieces by rubbing the inner and outer edge...

Page 163: ...ications If you see an error indication in the display while operating the CD changer find the cause in the chart to the right If you cannot clear the error indication take the car to your Acura dealer Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 164: ...tton to change stations Each time you press this button the system advances to the next preset station on the band you are listening to You will see the number of the selected Preset button in the display To change bands press the AM FM button on the audio system s front panel If you are playing a cassette use the AUDIO CH button to advance to the next selection You will see FF blinking in the dis...

Page 165: ...r Acura dealer To do this you will need the system s serial number If your car s battery is disconnected or goes dead or the radio fuse is removed the audio system will disable itself If this happens you will see Code in the frequency display the next time you turn on the system Use the Preset buttons to enter the five digit code If it is entered correctly the radio will start playing If you make ...

Page 166: ...linking immediately to show you the system is setting itself SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT Once the security system is set opening any door without using the key or the remote transmitter or the hood will cause it to alarm It also alarms if the radio is removed from the dashboard or the wiring is cut With the system set you can still open the trunk with the master key or the remote transmitter without tri...

Page 167: ...164 ...

Page 168: ...formation in this section will help you If you plan to add any accessories to your car please read the information in this section first Break in Period 166 Gasoline 166 Service Station Procedures 167 Filling the Fuel Tank 167 Opening the Hood 168 Oil Check 169 Engine Coolant Check 170 Fuel Economy 171 Car Condition 171 Driving Habits 171 Accessories and Modifications 172 Carrying Cargo 174 Before...

Page 169: ...e number of 91 or higher If you are unable to find premium unleaded gasoline you may substi tute an unleaded regular gasoline The engine will compensate for the lower octane but you may notice a slight decrease in power as a result We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car s emissions ...

Page 170: ...g the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off Do not try to top off the tank leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes Your car has an on board refueling vapor recovery system to help keep fuel vapors from going into the atmosphere If the fuel pump keeps clicking off even though the tank is not full there may be a problem with this system Consult your dealer CONTI...

Page 171: ... 6 Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches Opening the Hood 1 Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake Pull the hood release handle located under the lower left corner of the dashboard The hood will pop up slightly LATCH HANDLE 2 Standing in front of the car reach in between the hood and the front bumper with your finger Slide the latch handle Before Driving HOOD RELEASE HANDLE ...

Page 172: ...ll lift it up the rest of the way and hold it up To close the hood lower it to about a foot 30 cm above the fender then press down firmly with your hands After closing the hood make sure it is securely latched Oil Check Check the engine oil level every time you fill the vehicle with fuel Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil 1 Remove the dipstick orange handle 2 ...

Page 173: ...ing Oil on page 215 Engine Coolant Check Look at the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank Make sure it is between the MAX and MIN lines If it is below the MIN line see Adding Engine Coolant on page 219 for information on adding the proper coolant Refer to Owner Maintenance Checks on page 213 for information on checking other items in your Acura Before Driving RESERVE TANK UPPER MARK LOWER MA...

Page 174: ...t cornering and hard braking use more fuel Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler ate smoothly Depending on traffic conditions try to maintain a constant speed Every time you slow down and speed up your car uses extra fuel Use the cruise control when appropriate to increase fuel economy A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine It is not necessary to warm ...

Page 175: ... powered audio systems should not interfere with your car s computer controlled systems such as the SRS and anti lock brake system However if electronic accessories are improperly installed or exceed your car s electrical system capacity they can interfere with the operation of your car or even cause the airbags to deploy Before installing any accessory Make sure the accessory does not obscure any...

Page 176: ...your steering wheel or any other part of your Supplemental Restraint System Modifications could make the system ineffective Additional Safety Precautions Do not attach or place objects on the front airbag covers Any object attached to or placed on the covers marked SRS AIRBAG in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags Or...

Page 177: ...e glove box and the pockets in the front doors and seat back are designed for small lightweight items The trunk is intended for larger heavier items However carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your car s handling stability and operation and make it unsafe Before carrying any type of cargo be sure to read the following pages Before Driving ...

Page 178: ...re all items that could be thrown around and hurt someone during a crash Do not put any items on top of the rear shelf They can block your view and be thrown around the car during a crash Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the seats and interfere with the driver s ability to operate the pedals or with the proper operation of the seats Keep the glove box clos...

Page 179: ... large items that prevent you from closing the trunk lid exhaust gas can enter the passenger area To avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning follow the instructions on page 49 If you can carry any items on a roof rack be sure the total weight of the rack and the items does not exceed the maximum allowable weight Please contact your Acura dealer for further information Before Driving ...

Page 180: ...ow a trailer Preparing to Drive 178 Starting the Engine 179 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude 179 Automatic Transmission 180 Shift Lever Position Indicator 180 Shift Lever Positions 180 Engine Speed Limiter 182 Shift Lock Release 183 Parking 184 The Braking System 185 Brake Wear Indicators 185 Brake System Design 186 Anti lock Brakes 186 Important Safety Reminders 187 ABS Indicator 187 Veh...

Page 181: ...with you inside are stored properly or fastened down securely 5 Check the adjustment of the seat see page 93 6 Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors see page 98 7 Check the adjustment of the steering wheel see page 71 8 Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked 9 Fasten your seat belt Check that your passengers have fastened their seat belts see page 15 10 Turn the igniti...

Page 182: ...ar flooding As before keep the ignition key in the START III position for no more than 15 seconds Return to step 5 if the engine does not start If it starts lift your foot off the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude Above 8 000 feet 2 400 meters An engine is harder to start in cold weather The thinner air found at high altitude above 8 000 feet 2...

Page 183: ...tion the shift lever is in The D4 indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON II If it flashes while driving in any shift position it indicates a possible problem in the transmission Avoid rapid acceler ation and have the transmission checked by an authorized Acura dealer as soon as possible Shift Lever Positions The shift lever has seven positions It must be in Park ...

Page 184: ... page 183 To avoid transmission damage come to a complete stop before shifting into Park The shift lever must be in Park before you can remove the key from the ignition switch Reverse R To shift to Reverse from Park see the explanation under Park To shift to Reverse from Neutral come to a complete stop and then shift Push down on the shift lever before shifting into Reverse from Neutral Neutral N ...

Page 185: ...o gears depending on your speed Second 2 This position locks the transmission in second gear It does not downshift to first gear when you come to a stop Second gives you more power when climbing and increased engine braking when going down steep hills Use second gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow It will help reduce wheelspin First 1 To shift from Second to First push dow...

Page 186: ...etal plate neither are included in the tool kit to remove the cover Carefully pry off the edge of the cover 4 Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release slot 5 Push down on the key and move the shift lever out of Park to Neutral 6 Remove the key from the Shift Lock Release slot then reinstall the cover Make sure the notch on the cover is on the right side Depress the brake pedal and restart the engi...

Page 187: ... the car is facing uphill turn the front wheels away from the curb If the car is facing downhill turn the front wheels toward the curb Make sure the parking brake is fully released before driving away Driving with the parking brake partially set can overheat or damage the rear brakes Parking Tips Make sure the moonroof and the windows are closed Turn off the lights Place any packages valuables etc...

Page 188: ...the engine to assist the brakes by downshifting to a lower gear and taking your foot off the accelerator pedal Check your brakes after driving through deep water Apply the brakes moderately to see if they feel normal If not apply them gently and frequently until they do Since a longer distance is needed to stop with wet brakes be extra cautious and alert in your driving Brake Wear Indicators All f...

Page 189: ...lock up and helps you retain steering control by pumping the brakes rapidly much faster than a person can do it The ABS also balances the front to rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading You should never pump the brake pedal this defeats the purpose of the ABS Let the ABS work for you by always keeping firm steady pressure on the brake pedal as you steer away from the hazard This is...

Page 190: ...ent can still cause your car to veer into oncoming traffic or off the road A vehicle with ABS may require a longer distance to stop on loose or uneven surfaces such as gravel or snow than a vehicle without anti lock Slow down and allow a greater distance between vehicles under those conditions ABS Indicator U S indicator shown The ABS is self checking If anything goes wrong the ABS indicator on th...

Page 191: ...t down Test your brakes as instructed on page 285 If the brakes feel normal drive slowly and have your car repaired by your dealer as soon as possible Avoid sudden hard braking which could cause the rear wheels to lock up and possibly lead to a loss of control The VSA system indicator may come on along with the ABS indicator if there is a problem with the anti lock brake system Driving ...

Page 192: ...e does not respond to the accelerator in the same way it does at other times You will also see the VSA Activation Indicator blink For a technical description of the Vehicle Stability Assist System see page 300 The VSA system cannot enhance the car s driving stability in all situations and does not control your vehicle s entire braking system It is still your responsibility to drive and corner at r...

Page 193: ... the VSA system inspected by your Acura dealer If the indicator does not come on when the ignition switch is turned ON II there may be a problem with the VSA system Have your dealer inspect your car as soon as possible Without VSA your car will have normal braking and cornering ability but it will not have VSA traction and stability enhancement VSA Off Switch This switch is under the left vent Pre...

Page 194: ...function When replacing tires make sure they are of the same size and type as your original tires see page 245 Deactivate the VSA system if you need to drive with the compact spare tire installed see page 270 If you install winter tires make sure they are the same size as those that were originally supplied with your car Exercise the same caution during winter driving as you would if your car was ...

Page 195: ...m just barely damp Apply smooth even pressure to all the controls Abrupt steering wheel movements or sudden hard appli cation of the brakes can cause loss of control in wet weather Be extra cautious for the first few miles kilometers of driving while you adjust to the change in driving conditions This is especially true in snow A person can forget some snow driving techniques during the summer mon...

Page 196: ...or wear and proper pressure Both are important in preventing hydroplaning loss of traction on a wet surface In the winter mount snow tires on all four wheels for the best handling Watch road conditions carefully they can change from moment to moment Wet leaves can be as slip pery as ice Clear roads can have patches of ice Driving conditions can be very hazardous when the outside temperature is nea...

Page 197: ... is too heavy can seriously affect your car s handling and performance It can also damage the engine and drivetrain Tongue Load The weight that the tongue of a fully loaded trailer puts on the hitch should be approximately 10 percent of the trailer weight Too little tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway Too much tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control ...

Page 198: ... Loads The best way to confirm that vehicle and trailer weights are within limits is to have them checked at a public scale Using a suitable scale or a special tongue load gauge check the tongue load the first time you set up a towing combination a fully loaded vehicle and trailer then recheck the tongue load whenever the conditions change Driving Exceeding load limits or improperly loading your v...

Page 199: ...ty chain Make sure that it is secured to both the trailer and hitch and that it crosses under the tongue so it can catch the trailer if it becomes unhitched Leave enough slack to allow the trailer to turn corners easily but do not let the chain drag on the ground Trailer Brakes Acura recommends that any trailer having a total weight of 1 000 Ibs 450 kg or more be equipped with its own electric or ...

Page 200: ...e of each pin If you use a converter you can get the connector and pins that mate with the connector in your vehicle from your Acura dealer Since lighting and wiring vary with trailer type and brand you should also have a qualified technician install a suitable connector between the vehicle and the trailer CONTINUED Driving GROUND BLACK BACK UP LIGHT GREEN BLACK LEFT TURN SIGNAL PINK BLUE RIGHT TU...

Page 201: ...tow and before driving away be sure to check the following The vehicle has been properly serviced and the tires brakes suspension and cooling system are in good operating condition All weights and loads are within limits see pages 194 and 195 The hitch safety chain and any other attachments are secure All items on and in the trailer are properly secured and cannot shift while you drive The lights ...

Page 202: ...owly and wider than normal The trailer tracks a smaller arc than your vehicle and it can hit or run over something the vehicle misses Allow more time and distance for braking Do not brake or turn suddenly as this could cause the trailer to jackknife or turn over Driving on Hills When climbing hills closely watch your temperature gauge If it nears the red Hot mark turn the air conditioning off redu...

Page 203: ... steering or braking corrections Backing Up Always drive slowly and have someone guide you when backing up Grip the bottom of the steering wheel then turn the wheel to the left to get the trailer to move to the left and turn the wheel right to move the trailer to the right Parking Follow all normal precautions when parking including putting the transmission in Park and firmly setting the parking b...

Page 204: ...uired Maintenance Record 211 Owner Maintenance Checks 213 Fluid Locations 214 Engine Oil 215 Adding Oil 215 Recommended Oil 215 Synthetic Oil 216 Additives 216 Changing the Oil and Filter 217 Cooling System 219 Adding Engine Coolant 219 Replacing Engine Coolant 221 Windshield Washers 225 Automatic Transmission Fluid 226 Differential Oil 227 Brake Fluid 227 Brake System 228 Power Steering 228 Hood ...

Page 205: ...ified mechanic Some of the most important safety precautions are given here However we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing maintenance Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task Maintenance Improperly maintaining this car or failing to correct a problem before driving can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed Always ...

Page 206: ...xhaust system cool before touching any parts Injury from moving parts Do not run the engine unless in structed to do so Read the instructions before you begin and make sure you have the tools and skills required To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion be careful when working around gasoline or batteries Use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner not gasoline to clean parts Keep...

Page 207: ... your car s load limit This puts excess stress on the engine brakes and many other parts of your car The load limit is shown on the label on the driver s doorjamb Operate your car on reasonable roads within the legal speed limit Drive your car regularly over a distance of several miles kilometers Always use unleaded gasoline with the proper octane rating see page 166 Which Schedule to Follow Servi...

Page 208: ...nuine Honda parts and fluids whenever you have maintenance done These are manufactured to the same high quality standards as the original components so you can be confident of their performance and durability U S Vehicles Maintenance replacement or repair of emissions control devices and systems may be done by any automotive repair establishmen t or individual using parts that are certified to EPA...

Page 209: ...nditions Maintenance Schedule do not apply NOTE If you only OCCASIONALLY drive under a severe condition you should follow the Normal Conditions Maintenance Schedule Canadian Owners Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions See information on maintenance and emissions warranty last column page 205 Maintenance ...

Page 210: ...ollow this schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply Canadian owners Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions Maintenance See information on maintenance and emissions warranty last column page 205 NOTE Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop page 244 ...

Page 211: ...ons Extensive idling or long periods of stop and go driving Trailer towing driving with a roof rack or driving in mountainous conditions Driving on muddy dusty or de iced roads Canadian Owners Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions See information on maintenance and emissions warranty last column page 205 1 Refer to page 241 for replacement information under special driving conditio...

Page 212: ...ms in A B C D as required for each distance time Severe Conditions Driving less than 5 miles 8 km per trip or in freezing temperatures driving less than 10 miles 16 km per trip Driving in extremely hot over 90 F 32 C conditions Extensive idling or long periods of stop and go driving Trailer towing driving with a roof rack or driving in mountainous conditions Driving on muddy dusty or de iced roads...

Page 213: ...rranty last column page 205 1 See Timing Belt on page 241 to determine need for replacement 2 See Air Conditioning Filter on page 240 for replacement information under special conditions NOTE Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop Maintenance ...

Page 214: ...vere Schedules You or the servicing dealer can record all completed maintenance here whether you follow the schedule for normal conditions page 206 or severe conditions page 208 Keep the receipts for all work done on your car Maintenance CONTINUED ...

Page 215: ...Required Maintenance Record for Normal and Severe Schedules Maintenance ...

Page 216: ...heck the level in the reservoir monthly If weather conditions cause you to use the washers frequently check the reservoir each time you stop for fuel See page 225 Automatic transmission Check the fluid level monthly See page 226 Brakes Check the fluid level monthly See page 228 Tires Check the tire pressure monthly Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects See page 241 Lights Check the operat...

Page 217: ...OMATIC TRANSMISSIO N FLUID DIPSTICK Yellow loop POWER STEERING FLUID Red cap RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID Gray cap ENGINE OIL FILL CAP ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR WASHER FLUID Blue cap ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK Orange loop Maintenance ...

Page 218: ... vehicle for as long as you own it You can determine an oil s SAE viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oil container A fuel efficient oil is recommended for your Acura This is shown on the API Service label by the words Energy Conserving This oil is formulated to help your engine use less fuel The API Service label also tells you the service classification of the ...

Page 219: ... in your area never goes below 20 F 7 C Synthetic Oil You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements given for conventional motor oil energy conserving a service classification of SJ and the proper weight as shown on the chart When using synthetic oil you must follow the oil and filter change intervals given in the maintenance schedule Additives Your Acura does not need any oi...

Page 220: ...ce station type hydraulic lift for this service Unless you have the knowledge and proper equipment you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic 1 Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature then shut it off 2 Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from the bottom of the engine Drain the oil into an appropriate container...

Page 221: ...o out within five seconds If it does not turn off the engine and reinspect your work 8 Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt and oil filter for leaks 9 Turn off the engine let it sit for several minutes then check the oil level If necessary add oil to bring the level to the upper mark on the dipstick Improper disposal of engine oil can be harmful to the environment If you...

Page 222: ...acement Make sure it is a high quality coolant recommended for aluminum engines However continued use of any non Honda coolant can result in corrosion causing the cooling system to malfunction or fail Have the cooling system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze coolant as soon as possible If the reserve tank is completely empty you should also check the coolant level in the radiator 1 Make s...

Page 223: ...coolant level should be up to the base of the filler neck Add coolant if it is low 5 Put the radiator cap back on Tighten it fully 6 Pour coolant into the reserve tank Fill it to halfway between the MAX and MIN marks Put the cap back on the reserve tank Do not add any rust inhibitors or other additives to your car s cooling system They may not be compatible with the coolant or engine compo nents M...

Page 224: ...e of the car Unless you have the tools and knowledge you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic 1 Turn the ignition ON II Turn the heater temperature control dial to maximum heat climate control to 90 F 32 C Turn off the ignition Open the hood Make sure the engine and radiator are cool to the touch 2 Remove the radiator cap DRAIN PLUG 3 Loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the r...

Page 225: ... in its holder 6 When the coolant stops draining tighten the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator Put the drain cap back in place tightly then reinstall the clip on the drain cap securely 7 Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purified or distilled water in a clean container The cooling system capacity is 1 61 US gal 6 1 l 1 34 Imp gal Maintenance CLIP DRAIN CAP RESERVE TANK ...

Page 226: ...engine Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck Tighten the bleeder bolt when coolant comes out in a steady stream with no bubbles 10 Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark Install the reserve tank cap 11 Check the level in the radiator add coolant if needed CONTINUED Maintenance NUTS BOLTS BLEEDER BOLT Fill up to here FILLER NECK ...

Page 227: ...cooling fan comes on at least twice Then stop the engine 15 Remove the radiator cap Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck and into the reserve tank up to the MAX mark 16 Start the engine and hold it at 1 500 rpm until the cooling fan comes on Turn off the engine Check the coolant level in the radiator and add coolant if needed 17 Install the radiator cap and tighten it f...

Page 228: ...hield washer fluid This increases the cleaning capability and prevents freezing in cold weather Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar water solution in the windshield washer reservoir Antifreeze can damage your car s paint while a vinegar water solution can damage the windshield washer pump Use only commercially available windshield washer fluid When you refill the reservoir clean the edges of...

Page 229: ...elow the lower mark add fluid into the tube to bring it to the upper mark Always use Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF If it is not available you may use a DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid as a temporary replacement However continued use can affect shift quality Have the transmission drained and refilled with Honda ATF as soon as it is convenient 6 Insert the dipstick b...

Page 230: ...id gear oil API service classified GL4 or GL5 only in the differential Viscosity SAE 90 above 0 F 18 C SAE 80W 90 below 0 F 18 C The differential oil should be drained and refilled with new oil according to the time and distance recommenda tions in the maintenance schedule Brake Fluid Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir monthly The brake fluid should be replaced according to the tim...

Page 231: ...ur car s braking system and can cause extensive damage Brake System The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir If the level is at or below the MIN mark your brake system needs attention Have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn brake pads Power Steering You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir monthly Check the level when th...

Page 232: ...Clean the hood latch assembly with a mild cleaner then lubricate it with a multipurpose grease Lubricate all the moving parts as shown including the pivot Follow the time and distance recommendations in the Maintenance Schedule If you are not sure how to clean and grease the latch contact your Acura dealer Air Cleaner Element The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the t...

Page 233: ...ver 2 Remove the air cleaner housing cover Do not disconnect the air intake tube from the air cleaner housing cover 3 Remove the old air cleaner element 4 Carefully clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp rag 5 Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing 6 Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover snap the four hold down clamps back into place Maintenance CLAMPS AIR ...

Page 234: ...he maintenance schedule Replacement 1 Remove the two bolts and the three nuts with a 7 16 inch 10 mm wrench then remove the engine cover 2 Remove the two bolts and the four nuts with a wrench and remove the tower bar Then remove the A C tube from the three clips 3 Clean up any dirt and oil that have collected around the ignition coils CONTINUED Maintenance NUTS BOLTS NUTS BOLTS NUTS ...

Page 235: ...Use a wrench to remove the two bolts holding the ignition coil Remove the ignition coil by pulling it straight out 6 Remove the spark plug with a five eighths inch 16 mm spark plug socket 7 Put the new spark plug into the socket then screw it into the hole Screw it in by hand so you do not crossthread it Maintenance IGNITION COIL CONNECTOR LOCK TAB BOLTS IGNITION COIL ...

Page 236: ... head 9 Install the ignition coil Reinstall the two hold down bolts 10 Push the wire connector onto the ignition coil Make sure it locks in place 11 Repeat this procedure for the other five spark plugs 12 Put the A C tube back in place 13 Install the tower bar and tighten the two bolts and the four nuts Tightening torque 16 lbf ft 22 N m 2 2 kgf m 14 Install the engine cover First tighten the two ...

Page 237: ...he condition of your car s battery monthly You should check the color of the test indicator window and for corrosion on the terminals Check the battery condition by looking at the test indicator window on the battery The label on the battery explains the test indicator s colors Maintenance TEST INDICATOR WINDOW ...

Page 238: ...d remove the cables from the terminals Always disconnect the negative cable first and recon nect it last Clean the battery termi nals with a terminal cleaning tool or wire brush Reconnect and tighten the cables then coat the terminals with grease If you need to connect the battery to a charger disconnect both cables to prevent damage to the car s electrical system CONTINUED Maintenance The battery...

Page 239: ...comes on at least twice and let it idle for five more minutes Your audio system will also disable it self when the battery is disconnected or goes dead The next time you turn on the radio you will see Code in the frequency display Use the Pre set buttons to enter the five digit code see page 162 Charging the battery with the cables connected can seriously damage your car s electronic controls Deta...

Page 240: ...eave streaks and unwiped areas when used To replace the blade 1 Turn the ignition ON II switch the wipers to INT or low position then turn the ignition OFF when the wiper arm is approximately midway in its travel 2 Disconnect the blade assembly from the wiper arm by pushing in the lock tab Hold it in while you push the blade assembly toward the base of the arm CONTINUED Maintenance WIPER ARMS LOCK...

Page 241: ...rcement along the back edge remove the metal reinforcement strips from the old wiper blade and install them in the slots along the edge of the new blade 5 Slide the new wiper blade into the holder until the tabs lock 6 Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm Make sure it locks in place 7 Turn the ignition switch ON II and return the windshield wipers to their park position Maintenance BL...

Page 242: ...ft bristle brush to clean them Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather months Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at normal operating temperature This circulates the lubricating oil con tained in the refrigerant If the air conditioning does not get as cold as before have your dealer check the system Recharge the syst...

Page 243: ...ften if air flow from the climate control system becomes less than usual Have the air conditioning filter re placed by your Acura dealer Drive Belts Check the condition of the three drive belts Examine the edges of each belt for cracks or fraying Check the tension of each belt by pushing on it with your thumb midway between the pulleys The belts should have the following play or deflection Alterna...

Page 244: ...tires for damage and wear and what to do when your tires need to be replaced Inflation Keeping the tires properly inflated provides the best combination of handling tread life and riding comfort Underinflated tires wear unevenly adversely affect handling and fuel economy and are more likely to fail from being overheated Overinflated tires can make your car ride more harshly are more prone to damag...

Page 245: ...ll see readings 4 to 6 psi 30 to 40 kPa 0 3 to 0 4 kgf cm2 higher than the cold reading This is normal Do not let air out to match the specified cold pressure The tire will be underinflated You should get your own tire pressure gauge and use it whenever you check your tire pressures This will make it easier for you to tell if a pressure loss is due to a tire problem and not due to a variation betw...

Page 246: ... of these conditions Cuts splits or cracks in the side of the tire Replace the tire if you can see fabric or cord Excessive tread wear Your car s tires have wear indicators molded into the tread When the tread wears down to that point you will see a 1 2 inch 12 7 mm wide band running across the tread This shows there is less than 1 16 inch 1 6 mm of tread left on the tire A tire that is this worn ...

Page 247: ...e installer balances the wheels when you have new tires installed This increases riding comfort and tire life Your car s original tires were dynamic or spin balanced at the factory For best results have the installer perform a dynamic balance Improper wheel weights can damage your vehicle s aluminum wheels Use only Genuine Acura wheel weights for balancing Tire Rotation To help increase tire life ...

Page 248: ...e same size load range speed rating and maximum cold tire pressure rating as shown on the tire s sidewall Mixing radial and bias ply tires on your car can reduce its braking ability traction and steering accuracy It is best to replace all four tires at the same time If that is not possible or necessary then replace the two front tires or the two rear tires as a pair Replacing just one tire can ser...

Page 249: ... your Acura dealer Wheels and Tires Wheels 1 6 x7 JJ Tires P215 60R1694 V See page 301 for information about DOT Tire Quality Grading Winter Driving Tires that are marked M S or All Season on the sidewall have an all weather tread design They should be suitable for most winter driving conditions Tires without these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions They may not provide a...

Page 250: ...equired by driving conditions or local laws Make sure they are the correct size for your tires Metal link type chains should not be used No matter how tight they seem to be installed they can come into contact with the body and suspension causing serious damage When installing cables follow the manufacturer s instructions and mount them as tightly as you can Drive slowly with them installed If you...

Page 251: ... once a month A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your car s visibility and the ability to signal your intentions to other drivers Maintenance HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT TURN SIGNAL PARKING LIGHT SIDE MARKER LIGHT ...

Page 252: ...icense plate light Side marker lights High mount brake light Daytime running lights Canadian models If you find any bulbs are burned out replace them as soon as possible Refer to the chart on page 299 to determine what type of replacement bulb is needed Maintenance HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS BACK UP LIGHT STOP TAIL LIGHTS ...

Page 253: ... replaced Halogen bulbs are used for the high beam headlight bulbs When replacing a high beam headlight bulb handle it by its base and protect the glass from contact with your skin or hard objects If you touch the glass clean it with denatured alcohol and a clean cloth Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit Oil perspiration or a scratch on the glass can cause the bulb to overheat and shatter 1 Open t...

Page 254: ...Pivot the hold down wire back in place and clip the end into the slot 6 Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly Make sure it is right side up it is marked 7 Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb Replacing a Fog Light Bulb Your car uses halogen fog light bulbs See page 250 for information on replacing a halogen bulb CONTI...

Page 255: ... Insert the new bulb into the hole making sure the bulb is right side up and the nubs on the bulb base fit in the indentations in the fog light assembly Pivot the hold down wire back in place and clip the end into the slot 7 Install the rubber seal over the back of the fog light assembly Make sure it is right side up it is marked 8 Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb Turn on the front ...

Page 256: ...ner fender cover back 4 Remove the socket from the headlight assembly by turning it one quarter turn counterclockwise 5 To remove the front turn signal parking light bulb push it in slightly and turn it counterclockwise To remove the side marker bulb pull it straight out of its socket 6 Install the new bulb in the socket 7 Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly Turn it clockwise to loc...

Page 257: ...ack up light or turn signal 3 Remove the socket by turning it one quarter turn counterclockwise 4 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms 5 Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise until it locks 6 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working 7 Reinstall the trunk lining Make sure it is installed under...

Page 258: ...s the center is flush with the head Replacing a High mount Brake Light Bulb 1 Open the trunk and remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one quarter turn counter clockwise 2 Remove the bulb by pushing it in slightly and turning it counter clockwise Install the new bulb in the socket 3 Reinstall the socket Turn it clockwise until it locks 4 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb ...

Page 259: ...e squeezing the tabs on both sides of the holder 3 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb in until it bottoms in the socket 4 Turn on the parking lights and check that the new bulb is working 5 Put the lens back on the bulb holder and push it until it latches 6 Slide the right side of the light assembly into the hole Push on the left side to latch the assembly into place Mainte...

Page 260: ...the edge of the lens with a fingernail file or a small flat tip screwdriver Do not pry on the edge of the housing around the lens Door light Pry on the top middle of the lens Front ceiling light Pry on the front edge of the lens in the middle Rear ceiling light Pry on the rear edge of the lens in the middle Remove the bulb cover by pulling it straight down CONTINUED Maintenance DOOR LIGHT FRONT RE...

Page 261: ...ght Bulb 1 Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in the middle with a fingernail file or a small flat tip screwdriver Do not pry on the edge of the housing around the lens 2 Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs 3 Push the new bulb into the metal tabs Snap the lens back in place Maintenance VANITY MIRROR LIGHT TRUNK ...

Page 262: ...ndoors Disconnect the battery Support the front wiper blade arms with a folded towel or rag so they do not touch the windshield To minimize sticking apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door and trunk seals Also apply a vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and trunk seals Cover the car with a breathable cover one made from a porous material such as cotton Nonporous m...

Page 263: ...260 ...

Page 264: ...the paint brightwork wheels and interior Also included are several things you can do to help prevent corrosion Exterior Care 262 Washing 262 Waxing 263 Aluminum Wheels 263 Paint Touch up 263 Interior Care 264 Carpeting 264 Fabric 264 Vinyl 264 Leather 264 Seat Belts 264 Wood Trim 265 Windows 265 Air Fresheners 265 Corrosion Protection 266 Body Repairs 267 Appearance Care ...

Page 265: ...er Mix in a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid or a product made especially for car washing Wash the car using the water and detergent solution and a soft bristle brush sponge or soft cloth Start at the top and work your way down Rinse frequently Check the body for road tar tree sap etc Remove these stains with tar remover or turpentine Rinse it off immediately so it does not harm the finis...

Page 266: ...r insects etc with removers also takes off the wax Remember to re wax those areas even if the rest of the car does not need waxing Aluminum Wheels Clean your Acura s aluminum alloy wheels as you do the rest of the exterior Wash them with the same solution and rinse them thoroughly The wheels have a protective clear coat that keeps the aluminum from corroding and tarnishing Using harsh chemicals in...

Page 267: ... that come with the cleaner Vinyl Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum cleaner Wipe the vinyl with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild soap and water Use the same solution with a soft bristle brush on more difficult spots You can also use commercially available spray or foam type vinyl cleaners Leather Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently Pay particular attention to the pleats an...

Page 268: ... will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the windows Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear plastic surfaces The rear window defogger and antenna wires are bonded to the inside of the glass Wiping vigorously up and down can dislodge and break these wires When cleaning the rear window use gentle pressure and wipe side to side Air Fresheners If you want to use an ...

Page 269: ... and scratches in the paint as soon as you discover them Inspect and clean out the drain holes in the bottom of the doors and body Check the floor coverings for dampness Carpeting and floor mats may remain damp for a long time especially in winter This dampness can eventually cause the floor panels to corrode Use a high pressure spray to clean the underside of your car This is especially important...

Page 270: ...ce installed they do not give the same high quality appearance When reporting your collision to the insurance company tell them you want Genuine Acura parts used in the repair Although most insurers recognize the quality of original parts some may try to specify that the repairs be done with other available parts You should investi gate this before any repairs have begun Take your car to your auth...

Page 271: ...268 ...

Page 272: ...t you will also find instructions on getting your car towed Compact Spare Tire 270 Changing a Flat Tire 271 If Your Engine Won t Start 276 Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates Very Slowly 276 The Starter Operates Normally 277 Jump Starting 278 If Your Engine Overheats 280 Low Oil Pressure Indicator 282 Charging System Indicator 283 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 284 Brake System Indicator 285...

Page 273: ...re Use greater caution while driving on this tire Do not mount snow chains on the compact spare The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit your car Do not use your spare tire on another vehicle unless it is the same make and model Turn off the VSA system see page 190 Driving with the compact spare tire may activate the VSA system The compact spare tire has a shorter tread li...

Page 274: ...and turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 Have all the passengers get out of the car while you change the tire 3 Open the trunk Raise the trunk floor by lifting up on the back edge To keep the trunk floor out of the way attach the hook into the slot in the trunk lid 4 Take the tool kit out of the trunk 5 Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpe...

Page 275: ... wrench 8 Locate the jacking point nearest the tire you need to change It is pointed to by a mark molded into the underside of the body Place the jack under the jacking point Turn the end bracket clockwise until the top of the jack contacts the jacking point Make sure the jacking point tab is resting in the jack notch Taking Care of the Unexpected JACK JACKING POINT WHEEL WRENCH ...

Page 276: ...rily place the flat tire on the ground with the outside surface of the wheel facing up You could scratch the wheel if you put it face down 11 Before mounting the spare tire wipe any dirt off the mounting surface of the wheel and hub with a clean cloth Wipe the hub carefully it may be hot from driving CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected EXTENSION WHEEL WRENCH BRAKE HUB ...

Page 277: ...until the wheel is firmly against the hub Do not try to tighten them fully 13 Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack 14 Tighten the wheel nuts securely in the same crisscross pattern Have the wheel nut torque checked at the nearest automotive service facility Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 lbf ft 108 N m 11 kgf m Taking Care of the Unexpected ...

Page 278: ...e storing the flat tire in the trunk well 17 Place the flat tire face down in the spare tire well 18 Wrap the spacer cone and spare tire wing bolt with cloth or paper and store them in the trunk well CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected SPACER BASKET CENTER CAP FLAT TIRE RING SPACER CONE WING BOLT ...

Page 279: ... operating normally or the starter motor sounds like it is spinning faster than normal but the engine does not start up and run Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates Very Slowly When you turn the ignition switch to START III you do not hear the normal noise of the engine trying to start You may hear a clicking sound or series of clicks or nothing at all Check these things Your car has the ...

Page 280: ...ons are corroded Check the condition of the battery and terminal connec tions see page 234 You can then try jump starting the car from a booster battery see page 278 The Starter Operates Normally In this case the starter motor s speed sounds normal or even faster than normal when you turn the ignition switch to START III but the engine does not run Are you using the proper starting procedure Refer...

Page 281: ...ck the condition of the electrolyte If it seems slushy or like ice do not try jump starting until it thaws If a battery sits in extreme cold the electrolyte inside can freeze Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture 2 Turn off all the electrical acces sories climate control stereo system lights etc Put the transmission in Neutral or Park and set the parking brake Taki...

Page 282: ... connect this jumper cable to any other part of the engine 5 If the booster battery is in another vehicle have an assistant start that vehicle and run it at a fast idle 6 Start your car If the starter motor still operates slowly check the jumper cable connections to make sure they have good metal to metal contact 7 Once your car is running discon nect the negative cable from your car then from the...

Page 283: ...should take immediate action 1 Safely pull to the side of the road Put the transmission in Neutral or Park and set the parking brake Turn off the climate control and all other accessories Turn on the hazard warning indicators 2 If you see steam and or spray coming from under the hood turn off the engine 3 If you do not see steam or spray leave the engine running and watch the temperature gauge If ...

Page 284: ...t pushing down to the first stop This releases any remaining pressure in the cooling system After the pressure releases push down on the cap and turn it until it comes off 10 Start the engine and set the temperature control dial to maximum climate control to FULL AUTO at 90 F 32 C Add coolant to the radiator up to the base of the filler neck If you do not have the proper coolant mixture available ...

Page 285: ...as soon as you can safely get the car stopped 1 Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine Turn on the hazard warning indicators 2 Let the car sit for a minute Open the hood and check the oil level see page 169 Although oil level and oil pressure are not directly connected an engine that is very low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving maneuvers 3 If necessary add oil ...

Page 286: ...rear defogger cruise control etc Try not to use other electrically operated controls such as the power windows Keep the engine running and take extra care not to stall it Starting the engine will discharge the battery rapidly By eliminating as much of the electrical load as possible you can drive several miles kilometers before the battery is too discharged to keep the engine running Drive to a se...

Page 287: ...mes Replace the fuel fill cap if it is missing Tightening the cap will not make the indicator turn off immediately it takes three driving trips If the indicator remains on past three driving trips or the fuel cap was not loose or missing have the car checked by the dealer as soon as possible Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem Avoid full throttle acceleration and driving at...

Page 288: ...rake pedal does not feel normal you should take immediate action Because of the brake system s dual circuit design a problem in one part of the system will still give you braking at two wheels You will feel the brake pedal go down much farther before the car begins to slow down and you will have to press harder on the pedal The distance needed to stop will be much longer Slow down by shifting to a...

Page 289: ...diately or the moonroof motor still does not operate you can close the moonroof manually 3 Get the moonroof wrench out of the tool kit in the trunk 4 Remove the lens from the rear ceiling light see page 257 5 Remove the plug in the center of the rear ceiling light 6 Insert the moonroof wrench into the socket behind this plug Turn the wrench until the moonroof is fully closed 7 Remove the wrench Re...

Page 290: ...fuses are located in two fuse boxes The interior fuse box is underneath the dashboard on the driver s side To open it turn the knob as shown The under hood fuse box is located in the engine compartment next to the battery To open it push the tab as shown Taking Care of the Unexpected INTERIOR KNOB UNDER HOOD TAB ...

Page 291: ... fuses and check the component s operation 1 Turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 Make sure the headlights and all other accessories are off 2 Remove the cover from the fuse box FUSE 3 Check each of the large fuses in the under hood fuse box by looking through the top at the wire inside Removing these fuses requires a Phillips head screw driver 4 Check the smaller fuses in the under hood fuse box an...

Page 292: ...h one of the correct rating as soon as you can Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the chances of damaging the electrical system If you do not have a replace ment fuse with the proper rating for the circuit install one with a lower rating 6 If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time there is probably a serious electrical problem in your car Le...

Page 293: ...Fuses UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX Taking Care of the Unexpected ...

Page 294: ...Fuses Taking Care of the Unexpected INTERIOR FUSE BOX 1 On Canadian models ...

Page 295: ...h hooks on the ends These hooks go around parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that end of the car off the ground Your car s suspension and body can be seriously damaged This method of towing is unacceptable If your Acura cannot be transported by flat bed it should be towed by wheel lift equipment with the front wheels off the ground If due to damage your car must be towed with the...

Page 296: ...e sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not run down the battery The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked Leave the ignition switch in Accessory I and make sure the steering wheel turns freely before you begin towing Trying to lift or tow your car by the bumpers will cause serious damage The bumpers are not designed...

Page 297: ...294 ...

Page 298: ...SA System 300 DOT Tire Quality Grading U S Cars 301 Treadwear 301 Traction 301 Temperature 302 Oxygenated Fuels 303 Driving in Foreign Countries 304 Emissions Controls 305 The Clean Air Act 305 Crankcase Emissions Control System 305 Evaporative Emissions Control System 305 Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery 305 Exhaust Emissions Controls 306 PGM FI System 306 Ignition Timing Control System 306 Exhau...

Page 299: ...icensing and insuring your car The easiest place to find the VIN is on a plate fastened to the top of the dashboard You can see it by looking through the windshield on the driver s side It is also on the Certification label attached to the driver s doorjamb and is stamped on the engine compartment bulkhead The VIN is also provided in bar code on the Certification label Technical Information VEHICL...

Page 300: ...ers The Engine Number is stamped into the engine block It is on the front left below the valve cover The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission Technical Information TRANSMISSION NUMBER ENGINE NUMBER ...

Page 301: ...ication s 1 Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine Reserve tank capacity 0 172 US gal 0 65 l 0 143 Imp gal 2 Excluding the oil remaining in the engine Technical Information ...

Page 302: ...Specification s Technical Information page 291 page 290 page 234 ...

Page 303: ...en calculate how much wheelspin if any to allow It signals the ECU to reduce fuel flow and retard ignition timing This reduces available engine power The ECU will also apply braking at the wheels as necessary When wheelspin has been controlled braking and engine control return to normal Controlling Traction During Cornering VSA monitors steering input and the car s expected response to that input ...

Page 304: ...e a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half 1 1 2 times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100 The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual condi tions of their use however and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate Traction The traction grades from highest to l...

Page 305: ...ve temperature can lead to sudden tire failure The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 109 Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law Warning The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly infla...

Page 306: ...l or grain alcohol You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name Gasohol MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether You may use gasoline containing up to 15 percent MTBE by volume METHANOL methyl or wood alcohol Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel that contains methanol Methanol can corrode metal parts in the fuel system a...

Page 307: ...ilable be aware that using leaded gasoline in your Acura will affect perfor mance and fuel mileage and damage its emissions controls It will no longer comply with U S and Canadian emissions regulations and will be illegal to operate in North America To bring your car back into compliance will require the replace ment of several components such as the oxygen sensors and the three way catalytic conv...

Page 308: ...ith the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards CMVSS for Emissions valid at the time they are manufactured Crankcase Emissions Control System Your car has a Positive Crankcase Ventilation System This keeps gasses that build up in the engine s crankcase from going into the atmosphere The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intake manifold They are then d...

Page 309: ...ming reducing the amount of HC CO and NOx produced Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR System The Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system takes some of the exhaust gas and routes it back into the intake manifold Adding exhaust gas to the air fuel mixture reduces the amount of NOx produced when the fuel is burned Three Way Catalytic Converter The three way catalytic converter is in the exhaust system Throug...

Page 310: ...place It can set on fire any com bustible materials that come near it Park your car away from high grass dry leaves or other flammables A defective three way catalytic converter contributes to air pollution and can impair your engine s per formance Follow these guidelines to protect your car s three way catalytic converter Always use unleaded gasoline Even a small amount of leaded gasoline can con...

Page 311: ......

Page 312: ...ty and Customer Relations Customer Relations Information 310 Canada Zone Office Map 311 Warranty Coverages 312 Reporting Safety Defects U S Vehicles 313 Authorized Manuals 315 Warranty and Customer Relations ...

Page 313: ...rs Acura Automobile Division Client Services Office American Honda Motor Co Inc 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 or telephone 800 382 2238 In Puerto Rico and the U S Virgin Islands Vortex Motor Corp Bella International P O Box 190816 San Juan PR 00919 0816 787 250 4327 Canadian Owners Refer to the Canadian Zone Office Map on the next page When you call or write please give us this informa...

Page 314: ...MER RELATIONS RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTELE Honda Canada Inc 715 Milner Avenue Toronto ON M1B 2K8 Tel 1 888 9 ACURA 9 Fax Toll free 1 877 939 0909 Toronto 416 287 4776 Warranty and Customer Relations Honda Canada Inc National Office ...

Page 315: ... specified time period with no mileage limit Accessory Limited Warranty Genuine Acura Accessories are covered under this warranty Time and mileage limits depend on the type of accessory and other factors Please read your warranty manual for details Replacement Parts Limited Warranty covers all Genuine Acura replacement parts against defects in materials and workman ship Replacement Battery Limited...

Page 316: ...igation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you your dealer or Acura Automobile Division American Honda Motor Co Inc To contact NHTSA you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll free at 1 800 424 9393 or 366 0123 in Washington D C area or write to NHTSA ...

Page 317: ...314 This page left intentionally blank ...

Page 318: ...er on the form For manuals prior to the year shown below contact Helm Incorporated P O Box 07280 Detroit Michigan 48207 or call 1 800 782 4356 Valid only for sales within the U S Canadian owners should contact their authorized Acura dealer By completing this form you can order the materials desired You can pay by check or money order or charge to your credit card Mail to Helm Incorporated at the a...

Page 319: ... covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components It is written for the Journeyman mechanic but is simple enough for most mechanically inclined owners to under stand Electrical Troubleshootin g Manual This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in depth troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in your vehicle Body Repair Manual Th...

Page 320: ...at Belt Maintenance 42 Seat Belt System Components 40 Additional Information About Your Side Airbags 46 How The Side Airbag Indicator Light Works 47 How Your Side Airbags Work 46 Additives Engine Oil 216 Adjustments Head Restraints 95 Mirrors 98 Seats 93 Steering Wheel 71 Airbag SRS 9 43 46 Air Cleaner Element 229 Air Conditioning Filter 240 Air Conditioning System 120 Maintenance 239 Usage 122 12...

Page 321: ...166 Brightness Control Instruments 66 Brights Headlights 63 Bulb Replacement Back up Lights 254 Brake Lights 254 Ceiling Lights 257 Courtesy Lights 257 Fog Lights 251 Front Side Marker Lights 253 Headlights 250 High mount Brake Light 255 License Plate Lights 256 Specifications 299 Trunk Light 258 Turn Signal Lights 253 Bulbs Halogen 250 Cables Jump Starting With 278 Cancel Button 75 Capacities Cha...

Page 322: ...per Solution 219 Replacing 221 Temperature Gauge 60 Corrosion Protection 266 Courtesy Lights 118 Crankcase Emissions Control System 305 Cruise Control Operation 73 Customer Relations Office 310 DANGER Explanation of ii Dashboard 2 52 Daytime Running Lights 65 Dead Battery What to Do 278 Defects Reporting Safety 313 Defogger Rear Window 71 Defrosting the Windows 126 131 DEXRON III Automatic Transmi...

Page 323: ...ating 280 Specifications 299 Speed Limiter 182 Engine Speed Limiter 182 Ethanol in Gasoline 303 Evaporative Emissions Controls 305 Exhaust Fumes 49 Exhaust Gas Recirculation System 306 Expectant Mothers Use of Seat Belts by 18 Exterior Cleaning the 262 Fabric Cleaning 264 Fan Interior 124 129 Features Comfort and Convenience 119 Filling the Fuel Tank 167 Filters Air Cleaner 229 Air Conditioning 24...

Page 324: ...am Indicator 57 High Beams Turning on 63 Lights On Indicator 55 Low Beams Turning on 63 Reminder Chime 63 Replacing Halogen Bulbs 250 Turning on 63 Head Restraints 95 Heating and Cooling 120 High Altitude Starting at 179 High Low Beam Switch 63 High mount Brake Light 255 HomeLink Universal Transmitter 88 Hood Latch 229 Hood Opening the 168 Horn 62 Hot Coolant Warning about 219 Hydroplaning 193 Ide...

Page 325: ...runk 86 Trunk Pass through Cover 97 Low Coolant Level 170 Low Fuel Indicator 57 Low Oil Pressure Indicator 54 282 Lubricant Specifications Chart 298 Luggage 174 Maintenance 201 Owner Maintenance Checks 213 Record 211 212 Required Indicator 61 Safety 202 Schedule 206 210 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 55 284 Memory Driving Position 100 Meters Gauges 58 Methanol in Gasoline 303 Mirrors Adjusting 98 Moon...

Page 326: ...ety Checklist 11 Pregnancy Using Seat Belts 18 Protecting Adults 12 Additional Safety Precautions 19 Advice for Pregnant Women 18 Protecting Children 20 Protecting Infants 28 Protecting Larger Children 35 Protecting Small Children 32 Using Child Seats with Tethers 39 Radiator Overheating 280 Radio Cassette Sound System 134 Rear End Towing 292 Rear Lights Bulb Replacement 254 Rear Seat Armrest 97 R...

Page 327: ...ntervals 206 Service Manual 315 Service Station Procedures 167 Setting the Clock 108 Shifting the Automatic Transmission 180 Shift Lever Position Indicator 180 Shift Lock Release 183 Side Airbags 46 How The Side Airbag Indicator Light Works 47 How Your Side Airbags Work 46 Side Marker Lights Bulb Replacement in 253 Signaling Turns 66 Ski Sleeve 103 Snow Tires 247 Solvent type Cleaners 262 Sound Sy...

Page 328: ...Vehicle Stability Assist VSA System 300 Temperature Gauge 60 Tensioners Seat Belts 41 Tether Anchorage Points 39 Theft Deterrent System 163 Theft Protection 162 Three Way Catalytic Converter 307 Time Setting the 108 Timing Belt 241 Tire Chains 247 Tire How to Change a Flat 271 Tires 241 Air Pressure 242 Balancing 244 Checking Wear 243 Compact Spare 270 DOT Tire Quality Grading 301 Inflation 241 In...

Page 329: ...tion 120 VIN 296 Vinyl Cleaning 264 Warning Beepers Headlights on 63 Key in Ignition 80 Seat Belts 40 54 WARNING Explanation of ii Warning Labels Location of 50 Warranty Coverages 312 Washer Windshield Checking the Fluid Level 225 Operation 70 Washing 262 Waxing and Polishing 263 Wheels Adjusting the Steering 71 Alignment and Balance 244 Cleaning Aluminum Alloys 263 Compact Spare 270 Wrench 272 Wi...

Page 330: ...Fluid Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid preferred or a DEXRON III ATF as a temporary replacement see page 226 Power Steering Fluid Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid preferred or another brand of power steering fluid as a temporary replacement Do not use ATF see page 228 Brake Fluid Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid preferred or a DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary replacemen...

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