charging Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

Batter
y

If your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, the audio system will
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the radio you will see "Code" in
the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page 119).
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the
battery to a charger.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m

Optional for Type-R model

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure theair conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.

The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-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
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 250.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenanc e

AI
R CONDITIONIN G

CONDENSE R
NOTIC
E NOTIC
E

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 224
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 225
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 230 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 230
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 231
Jump Starting................................. 231 If Your Engine Overheats............. 233
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 235Charging System Indicator........... 236
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 237
Brake System Indicator................ 238 Closing the Moonroof................... 239
Fuses............................................... 240 Checking and Replacing........... 241
Emergency Towing....................... 245

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Chargin
g Syste m Indicato r

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, 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 service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
CHARGIN
G SYSTE M INDICATO R

Inde
x

Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130
Additional Safety Precaution.... 131Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 182
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184

Engine Coolant........................... 176
Engine Oil................................... 171

Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 43
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45

How the SRS Indicator Light

Works........................................ 47

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 173

Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 205

Head Restraints........................... 82

Mirrors.......................................... 86

Seats.............................................. 79

Steering Wheel............................ 66

Airbag (SRS)...............................
9, 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 186
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 194
Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 254
Antifreeze....................................... 176
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light..................... 55, 148Operation.................................... 146
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 74

Appearance Care........................... 215 Ashtrays............................................ 91
Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140

Capacity, Fluid........................... 251

Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 54, 236
Jump Starting............................. 231 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 251
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 221
CONTINUED

Inde
x

Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146Break-in, New Linings.............. 123

Fluid............................................ 183
Light, Burned-out...................... 210

Parking.......................................... 87

System Indicator.................. 54, 238
Wear Indicators......................... 145
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 146
System Indicator.................. 55, 148
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 210
Brake Lights............................... 210
Cargo Area Light....................... 212
Ceiling Lights............................. 212
Front Parking Lights................. 208
Front Side Marker Lights......... 208
Headlights.................................. 207
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
License Plate Light.................... 212
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 210 Specifications............................. 251
Spotlights.................................... 212
Turn Signal Lights..................... 208
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 207
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 231
Capacities Chart.................... 250, 251
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Cargo Area Cover............................ 83
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player Care............................................. 118
Operation.................................... 115
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 111

CD Player........................................ 109
Certification Label......................... 248
Chains............................................. 202
Change Oil
How to......................................... 173

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 225
Changing Engine Coolant............. 178
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 236 Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 182
Battery Condition...................... 189
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184

Drive Belts.................................. 195
Engine Coolant........................... 128

Engine Oil................................... 127

Fuses........................................... 241
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21 Cleaner Element, Air..................... 186

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 217

Antenna...................................... 216
Carpeting.................................... 218

Exterior....................................... 216

Fabric.......................................... 218

Interior........................................ 218
Leather........................................ 218

Seat Belts.................................... 218

Vinyl............................................ 218
Windows..................................... 219

Inde
x

Clock, Setting the............................ 88

Clutch Fluid.................................... 183

Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 256

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137

Compact Spare............................... 224

Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 260
Controls, Instruments and............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 176

Checking..................................... 128

Proper Solution.......................... 176

Replacing.................................... 178

Temperature Gauge.................... 59

Corrosion Protection..................... 220

Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 256

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 260
DANGER, Explanation of................
ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 62 Dead Battery, What to Do............ 231
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 263
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 182
Dimensions..................................... 250
Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 182
Engine Oil................................... 127
Directional Signals........................... 63
Disabled, Towing Your Car
If......
245
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145 Disposal of Used Oil...................... 175
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 252
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149 In Foreign Countries................. 255

Economy, Fuel............................... 129

Emergencies on the Road............. 223 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 231
Brake System Indicator............ 238
Changing a Flat Tire................. 225
Charging System Indicator...... 236
Checking the Fuses................... 241
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 237
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 239 Overheated Engine................... 233
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 241
Emissions Controls........................ 256

CONTINUED