radiator cap Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

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

Coolin
g Syste m

1. Make sure the engine and
radiator are cool.

2. Turn the radiator cap counter-

clockwise, without pressing down on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.

3. Remove the radiator cap by

pushing down and turningcounterclockwise.

4. The 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 MAXand MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e
RESERV
E TAN K
RADIATO
R CA P

Coolin
g Syste m
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.

Replacin g Engin e Coolan t
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside 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). Slidethe heater temperature control
lever to maximum heat. Turn the ignition off.
2. Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to the touch.
3. Remove the radiator cap. 4. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the splash guard. Remove the drainbolt and washer from the engine block.
Maintenanc e DRAI
N PLU G
DRAI
N
BOL T

Coolin
g Syste m
5. Remove the reserve tank from itsholder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
6. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator. Put a new
washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt in theengine block. Tighten it securely.
Tightening torque:
58 Ibf .
ft (78 N .
m , 8.0 kgf .
m)
7. Mix the recommended antifreeze
with an equal amount of purified
or distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:

With 5-speed manual transmission:

(SE,
LS,
GS)

1.16 US gal (4.4 , 0.97 Imp gal)
(GS-R, Type-R)
1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
8. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck.
9. Start the engine and let it run for
about 30 seconds. Then turn off
the engine.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

HOLDE
R RESERV
E
TAN K CA P
RESERV
E TAN K
Fill u p t o her e
FILLE
R NEC K

Coolin
g Syste m

10.Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the filler neck.

11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX

mark. Install the reserve tank cap.

12.Install the radiator cap, and

tighten it to the first stop.

13.Start the engine and let it run until

the radiator cooling fan comes on at least twice. Then stop the
engine.

14.Remove the radiator cap. Fill the

radiator with coolant up to the
base of the filler neck.

15.Start the engine and hold it at

1,500 rpm until the radiator fan
comes on. Turn off the engine. Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.

16.Install the radiator cap, and

tighten it fully.

17.If necessary, fill the reserve tank

to the MAX mark. Install thereserve tank cap.

Maintenanc 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

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.