winter tires Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback Owner's Manual

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Tractio n — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when theoutside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause

a skid.
Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.

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

Tire
s

Tir e Rotatio n
To help increase tire life and distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated. When shopping for replacement
tires, you may find that some tiresare "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
Tir
e Wea r
Type-R model only

The tires on your Type-R were
designed and constructed to provide
superior grip during acceleration,
braking, and cornering. They will
wear more rapidly than normal passenger vehicle tires. Tire life may
be less than 15,000 miles (24,000
km), depending on how you drive.
You should carefully inspect your vehicle's tires for wear, damage, and
proper inflation every 2,000 miles (3,200 km), see page 197.
These tires are not suitable for winter driving. Refer to Winte r
Driving , page 201.
Maintenance

Fron
t Front

(Fo r Non-directiona l

Tires an d Wheels )
(Fo r Directiona l
Tires an d Wheels )

Tire
s

Wheel s an d Tire s

Wheels:
(SE)
14 x 5 1/ 2 J J

(LS, GS, GS-R, Type-R)
15x6 JJ

Tires:
(SE)
P195/60R1 4 85 H

(LS,
GS,
GS-R)
P195/55R1 5 84 V

(Type-R)
195/55R1 5 84 V
See page 252 for information about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
Winte
r Drivin g

SE, LS, GS and GS-R models

Tires that are marked "M+S" or "All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate performance in winter driving.For the best performance in snowyor icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under certain conditions.

Type-R model

You should mount winter tires on
your Type-R before winter starts
(before consistent sub-freezing

temperatures). Change back to
"summer" tires after winter weather

has stopped.

Maintenance

CONTINUED

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

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