suspension Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

Genera
l Precaution s
Type-R model

Your Acura is designed to give you optimum handling and performanceon well-maintained roads. As part of
this design, your car has a minimum of ground clearance.
Use caution if you should drive
your car on very rough or rutted roads. You could damage thesuspension and underbody by
bottoming out. Going too fast over
parking lot "speed bumps" can also cause damage. Curbs and steep inclines could
damage the front and rear
bumpers. Low curbs that do not affect the average car may be high
enough to hit the bumper on your
Acura. The front or rear bumper may scrape when trying to driveonto an incline, such as a steep
driveway or trailer ramps.

Befor e Drivin g

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

Tire
s
Snow Tires

SE, LS, GS and GS-R models

If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, make sure they are radial tires of the same size and load rangeas the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your car's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roadsmay not be as high as your car's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommen-
dations.

Type-R model
Mount winter tires on all four wheels.
The performance capabilities of the winter tires may not be the same as
your vehicle's original-equipmenttires. Check with the tire dealer formaximum speed recommendations. Tire Chains
Mount traction devices (link-type or
cable-type) only when required by
driving conditions or local laws.
Make sure they are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires.

SE model

If link-type traction devices are used,
they must be SAE class "S". Cable-
type traction devices can also be
used.
LS, GS, GS-R, and Type-R models

Because your Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class "S"
cable-type traction devices.
Link-type "chains" should not be
used. No matter how tight they seem
to be installed, they can come into contact with the body andsuspension, causing serious damage.
All Models

When installing traction devices, follow the manufacturer'sinstructions and mount them as
tightly as you can. Drive slowly with
them installed. If you hear them coming in contact with the body or
chassis, stop and investigate. Make
sure the traction devices are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brakes or
suspension.

Remove them as soon as you start driving on cleared roads.

Traction devices that are the wrong

size or improperly installed can

damage your car's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop

driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

Light
s

5. Check the vertical angle gauge.
The bubble should be centered underneath the longest scribemark on the gauge.

6. If either indicator is not aligned

with its "0" mark as described, an
adjustment can be made using a
Phillips-head screwdriver to
realign it with the "0" mark. Please
refer to the illustrations.

7. If you cannot get an indicator to

align, have your Acura dealer
inspect the car for body damage or suspension problems.

Maintenanc e

VERTICA
L ANGL E GAUG E
HORIZONTA
L ADJUSTMEN T

VERTICAL ADJUSTMEN T

Emergenc
y Towin g

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance. Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional towing equipment:

Flat-bed Equipment — The operator

loads your vehicle on the back of a

truck. Thi s i s th e best way o f trans -
portin g you r Acura .

Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Thi s is
a n acceptabl e wa y t o to w you r
Acura .
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged. Thi s metho d o f towin g
i s 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 front wheels on the ground, do the following.

5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.

Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the engine, your vehicle must be trans-
ported with the front wheels off the
ground.

With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E