engine overheat Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

5-spee
d Manua l Transmissio n

The manual transmission is syn- chronized in all forward gears forsmooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth to Reverse. When shifting up or down, make sure you push the clutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shifting, do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster. Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into Reverse with the car moving. Pushdown the clutch pedal, and pause for
a few seconds before shifting into
Reverse, or shift into one of the
forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they won't "grind."
When slowing down, you can get extra braking from the engine byshifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear.

Drivin g
Rapid slowing or speeding-up

can cause loss of control on

slippery surfaces. If you crash,

you can be injured.

Use extra care when driving on

slippery surfaces.

Towin
g a Traile r
Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
The added weight, length, and height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance, so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and

techniques.

For your safety and the safety ofothers, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the open road, and follow the guidelines

discussed below.

Towing Speeds and Gears
Driving slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use D4 position when towing a trailer
on level roads. D3 is the proper shift
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See "Driving on Hills" in the next column for
additional gear information.)
Making Turns and Braking

Make turns more slowly 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 nearsthe red mark, turn the air conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shift to
D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake. Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator, as this can cause the transmission to

overheat.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow down and stop when towing a trailer.

CONTINUED

Drivin g

Spar
k Plug s
4. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
5. Put the new spark plug into thesocket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not crossthread it.

6. Torque the spark plug. (If you do

not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
13 lbf .
ft (18 N .
m , 1.8 kgf .
m)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

7. Install the spark plug cap.
8. Repeat this procedure for the
other three spark plugs.

(GS-R and Type-R)

Reinstall the plug wire cover and
tighten the four nuts.

Maintenanc 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

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s
The pointer of your car's tempera- ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a longsteep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should determine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you 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 heating and cooling system 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 the high heat is due to overloading (climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.

4. If the temperature gauge stays at

the red mark, turn off the engine.

5. Wait until you see no more signs

of steam or spray, then open the
hood.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you continue driving (see Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245).

7. If you don't find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page 124). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.

8. If there was no coolant in the

reserve tank, you may also have to add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check- ing the radiator.

9. Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap

counterclockwise, without 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 lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water. Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.

11.Put the radiator cap back on

lightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine needs repair. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245.)

12.If the temperature stays normal,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
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.

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

Inde
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Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 195 Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................ 54, 237
Oil Pressure Indicator........ 54, 235
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 233
Specifications............................. 250
Engine Speed Limiter........... 139, 142
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 254
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 256
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 216
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 218

Fan, Interior...................................... 94

Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters Air Cleaner................................. 186
Oil................................................ 173

First Gear, Shifting........................ 142

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 225
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 182Brake........................................... 183

Clutch.......................................... 183

Manual Transmission............... 183
Power Steering........................... 185
Windshield Washer................... 181
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 255
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 245

Fuel.................................................. 123
Fill Door and Cap....................... 124
Gauge............................................ 59

Octane Requirement................. 123

Oxygenated................................ 254
Reserve Indicator......................... 54
Tank, Filling the......................... 124
Fuses, Checking the...................... 240
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 129

Gasohol........................................... 254

Gasoline.......................................... 123 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 54
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 123
Tank, Filling the......................... 124
Gas Station Procedures................. 124
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature.... 59
Fuel............................................... 59

Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission
........... 140

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 138
Glass Cleaning............................... 219

Glove Box......................................... 78

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Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 74
Fuel Fill Door............................. 124
Glove Box..................................... 78

Hatch............................................. 76
Power Door and Hatch............... 75
Low Coolant Level......................... 128
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 54
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 54, 235
Lubricant Specifications Chart................................... 250, 251
Luggage.......................................... 132
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 86

Moonroof.......................................... 85

Closing Manually....................... 239

Operation...................................... 85
Neutral Gear Position.................... 141
New Vehicle Break-in................... 123
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 139
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 248
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 123
Odometer.......................................... 58

Odometer, Trip................................ 58

Oil
Change, How to......................... 173

Change, When to....................... 162
Checking Engine....................... 123
Pressure Indicator............... 54, 235 Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 172 ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 74

Onboard Refueling Vapor

Recovery..................................... 257

Opening the Hatch.......................... 76

Opening the Hood......................... 125

Operation in Foreign Countries... 255

Outside Mirrors............................... 86
Overheating, Engine..................... 233

Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 254

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 169

Paint Touch-up............................... 217

Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 141
Parking............................................ 144 Parking Brake.................................. 87
Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System.............................. 257
Polishing and Waxing................... 217

Power
Door and Hatch Locks................ 75

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

Steering....................................... 185
Maintenance................................... 157
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 169

Record.................................. 167-168

Required Indicator....................... 60 Schedule.............................. 162-164
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 54, 237

Manual Transmission.................... 138

Manual Transmission Fluid......... 183
Meters, Gauges................................ 58 Methanol in Gasoline.................... 254

Inde
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Windows....................................... 84

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19

Protecting Adults............................. 12

Additional Safety Precautions.... 19

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protecting Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 29Protecting Larger Children........ 37
Protecting Small Children.......... 33

Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 40

Radiator Overheating.................... 233
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 102
Rear End Towing........................... 245
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 210
Rear Seat Access............................. 81
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 83
Rear View Mirror............................. 86
Rear Window Defogger.................. 65
Rear Window Washer..................... 65
Rear Window Wiper........................ 65
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 79 Recommended Shift Speeds........ 139
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 186
Coolant........................................ 178
Engine Oil and Filter................. 173
Fuses........................................... 240
Light Bulbs................................. 207
Schedule..................................... 162
Spark Plugs................................. 187
Timing Belt................................. 195
Tires............................................ 200
Wiper Blades.............................. 192
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 43

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 176

Restraint, Child................................ 21

Reverse Gear Position................... 141

Rotation, Tire................................. 199

Safety Belts................................... 8, 42

Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................9

Door Locks................................... 10 Head Restraints........................... 10

Seat Belts........................................ 8

Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt
, Additional Information.. 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 43
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Seat Belts..................................... 8, 42
Cleaning...................................... 218

Maintenance................................. 43

Reminder Light and
Beeper................................. 42, 54

System Components.................... 42
Tether Attachment Points.......... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 16
Seats, Adjusting the.................. 13, 79
Serial Number................................ 248
Service Intervals............................ 162 Service Manual*............................ 265
Service Station Procedures.......... 124
Setting the Clock............................. 88

CONTINUED