washer fluid Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-

tions.
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that may seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 100).
CONTINUED
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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 127.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 128.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 181. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
182.

Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
196.

Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 203.

Maintenance

Windshiel
d Washer s

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop
for fuel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The windshield washer reservoir islocated behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather. When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluidon a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.

Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E

WINDSHIEL
D WASHE R RESERVOI R
LEVE L GAUG E

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

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

Inde
x
Winter Driving........................... 201
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 225
Towing A Trailer...................................... 151

Emergency................................. 245

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 182
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 183
Fluid Selection............................ 182
Identification Number............... 249
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138

Treadwear..................................... 252

Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63

Underside, Cleaning...................... 220

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 223

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 252

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 218
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 175
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 62

Key in Ignition.............................. 74

Seat Belts................................ 42, 54

WARNING, Explanation of..............
ii
Warning Labels

, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 262

Washer, Windshield

Checking the Fluid Level......... 181
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 216
Waxing and Polishing................... 217

Wheels

Adjusting the Steering................ 66

Alignment and Balance............. 198
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 217

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

Wrench....................................... 226

Windows
Cleaning...................................... 219

Operating the Power................... 84
Rear, Defogger............................ 65
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 64

Defroster.................................... 100
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 192

Operation...................................... 64

Worn Tires..................................... 197

Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 245
* : U.S. and Canada only

Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 250
Vehicle Identification Number..... 248
Vehicle Storage.............................. 214
Ventilation......................................... 97

VIN.................................................. 248

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 218

Viscosity, Oil................................... 172