cooling Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

Carbo
n Monoxid e Hazar d

Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly. Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever: The car is raised for an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust.
The car was in an accident that may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the hatch open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardouscondition. If you must drive with the
hatch open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car, even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a

comfortable setting.

Drive
r an d Passenge r Safet y

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill

you.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Gauge
s

Fue l Gaug e
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off theignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II).
Temperatur e Gaug e
This shows the temperature of the engine'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 233 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.

Instrument s an d Control s

TEMPERATUR
E

GAUG E
TACHOMETE
R


SPEEDOMETE R

FUEL GAUG
E

TRI P METE R
ODOMETE R
TRI
P METE R

RESE T BUTTO N

Comfor
t an d Convenienc e Feature s

The heating and air conditioning* systems in your Acura provide a com-
fortable driving environment in all
weather conditions.
The standard audio system has
many features. This section de-
scribes those features and how to
use them. (If you selected an optional audio system, refer to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
Your Acura has an anti-theft audio system that requires a code number
to enable it.
* Air conditioning is optional on the

Type-R model.
Heating and Cooling........................ 94What Each Control Does............ 94
How to Use the System............... 96
To Turn Everything Off........... 101
Audio System................................. 102
Operating the Radio..................
103
Adjusting the Sound.................. 106
Radio Frequencies..................... 107
Radio Reception......................... 107Operating the CD Player..........
109
Operating the CD Changer...... 111
Protecting Compact Discs........ 112
CD Player Error Indications..... 113
CD Changer Error Indications.............................. 114
Operating the Cassette
Player...................................... 115

Tape Search Functions............. 116
Caring for the Cassette

Player...................................... 118

Theft Protection........................ 119
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

Proper use of the Heating and Cooling system can make the
interior dry and comfortable, and
keep the windows clear for best
visibility.
(Type-R model only)
If your car does not have air
conditioning, it can be installed at
any time. Your dealer will install a Genuine Acura air conditioning
system that meets Acura's high
quality standards and is designed to
exactly fit your car. Please contact
your dealer for more information.
Wha t Eac h Contro l Doe s
Fan Contro l Leve r
Sliding this lever to the right
increases the fan's speed, which
increases air flow. Temperatur
e Contro l Leve r

Sliding this lever to the right
increases the temperature of the air

flow.

Ai r Conditionin g (A/C ) Butto n
This button turns the air condi- tioning ON and OFF. The indicatorin the button lights when the A/C is
on.
Recirculatio
n Butto n

This button controls the source of the air going into the system. Whenthe indicator in this button is lit, air
from the car's interior is sent through the system again (Recircula-
tion mode). When the indicator is off, air is brought in from outside the car (Fresh Air mode).
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s
AI
R CONDITIONIN G

BUTTO N
RECIRCULATIO
N

BUTTO N
MOD
E BUTTON S

FAN CONTRO L

LEVE R

TEMPERATUR
E
CONTRO L LEVE R

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

Ven t Control s

You can adjust the direction of the air coming from the dashboard vents
by moving the tab in the center of each vent up-and-down and side-to-
side.
The vents in the corners of the
dashboard can be opened and closed
with the dials underneath them. Ho
w to Us e th e Syste m
This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heateruses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature sSID
E VEN T
CENTE R VEN T

Heatin
g an d Coolin g
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition

clears.

The outside air intakes for the heating and cooling system are atthe base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation

The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the hatch.1. Slide the temperature contro l lever
all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off.
2. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.

CONTINUED

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

FA
N CONTRO L
LEVE R
TEMPERATUR
E
CONTRO L LEVE R

MOD
E BUTTON SRECIRCULATIO
N
BUTTO N
AI
R CONDITIONIN G

BUTTO N

Heatin
g an d Coolin g
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control lever is all the way to
the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode.
When the interior has cooled down to a more comfortable temperature,close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 59) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turnoff the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.

To Heat
To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3.
Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control lever.

To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Conditioning

Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning.
3. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the mixture of heated and cooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32° F (0°C).

CONTINUED

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Towin
g a Traile r

Additional Trailer Equipment Many states and provinces requirespecial outside mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don't, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation. Pre-To
w Checklis t
When preparing to 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 151 and 152). The hitch, safety chain, and any
other attachments are sucure. All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are workingproperly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page 251),and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Drivin g

Maintenanc
e

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 265 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 158
Important Safety Precautions.. 159
Maintenance Schedule.................. 160
Maintenance Record..................... 167
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 169
Fluid Locations............................... 170

Engine Oil....................................... 171 Adding Oil................................... 171
Recommended Oil..................... 171

Synthetic Oil............................... 173

Additives..................................... 173
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 173
Cooling System.............................. 176
Adding Engine Coolant............. 176Replacing Engine Coolant........ 178
Windshield Washers..................... 181
Transmission Fluid........................ 182 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 182
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 183
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 183 Brake System............................. 184
Clutch System............................ 184
Power Steering............................... 185
Air Cleaner Element...................... 186
Hood Latch..................................... 187

Spark Plugs..................................... 187 Replacement............................... 187
Specifications............................. 189
Battery............................................ 189
Wiper Blades.................................. 192
Air Conditioning System............... 194
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tires................................................ 196 Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 197
Maintenance............................... 198
Tire Rotation.............................. 199
Tire Wear.................................... 199
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 200
Wheels and Tires....................... 201
Winter Driving........................... 201

Snow Tires.............................. 202

Tire Chains............................. 202
Lights.............................................. 203 Headlight Aiming...................... 205
Replacing Bulbs......................... 207
Storing Your Car............................ 214
Maintenance

Coolin
g Syste m

Addin g Engin e Coolan t
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
Antifreeze/Coolant. If it is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. 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 coolingsystem 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.

Maintenanc e
Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.

Always let the engine and radiator cool down before

removing the radiator cap.

MI
N
MAX
RESERV E TAN K