check engine Acura Integra 2000 Sedan Owner's Manual

Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t You r SR S

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Work s
The purpose of the SRSlight is to alert you to a
potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that the system is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any other time, you should have thesystem checked by your dealer. For

example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON (II).

If the light stays on after the

engine starts. If the light comes on or flashes on
and off while you drive.
If you see any of these indications,
your airbags may not deploy when
you need them. See your Acura dealer as soon as possible. SR
S Servic e
Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and
there are no parts you can safely
service. However, you must have
your car serviced if:
Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must
be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself.
This must be done by an Acura
dealer or a knowledgeable body

shop.

The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Take your car to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inflate when you need them.

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y
S R S

Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags do not inflate when needed.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if

the SRS light alerts you to a

potential problem.

Indicato
r Light s

Supplementa l Restrain t
Syste m Indicato r
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in the supplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 45.
Anti-lock Brak e Syste m
(ABS ) Indicato r
This light normally comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in the ABS. If this happens, take the
car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete information, see

page 144.
Lo
w Fue l Indicato r
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon. Immobilize r Syste m
Indicato r
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page 69 ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition switch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
Malfunctio
n Indicato r

Lam p

See page 233.

Trunk-ope n Indicato r

This light comes on if the trunk lid is
not closed tightly.
Door-ope n Indicato r
This light comes on if a door is not
closed tightly.

Instrument s an d Control s

S

R
S

A
B S

Gauge
s

Fue l Gaug e
This shows how much fuel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or
hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II). Temperatur
e Gaug e
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise from the bottom white mark to about
the middle white mark. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page 229 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling

system.

Instrument s an d Control s
TRI
P METE R
ODOMETE R
TRI
P METE R
RESE T BUTTO N FUE
L GAUG E
SPEEDOMETE R
TACHOMETE
R
TEMPERATUR
E
GAUG E

Befor
e Drivin g

Before you begin driving your Acura,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 118
Gasoline.......................................... 118
Service Station Procedures.......... 119
Filling the Fuel Tank................. 119
Opening the Hood..................... 120 Oil Check................................ 122
Engine Coolant Check.......... 123
Fuel Economy................................ 124
Vehicle Condition...................... 124
Driving Habits............................ 124
Accessories and Modifications.... 125
Carrying Cargo.............................. 127

Before Drivin g

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Oil Check
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Befor e Drivin g
DIPSTIC
K

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should bebetween the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark, see Addin g Oi l on page 167. Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Addin g
Engin e Coolan t on page 172 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Check s on page 165 for information
on checking other items in your Acura.

Before Drivin g

UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K
RESERVE TAN K

MI
N

MAX

Fue
l Econom y

The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.

Vehicl e Conditio n

Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s (see page 165 ). For

example, an underinflated tire

causes more "rolling resistance,"

which uses fuel. It. also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at

least monthly.

In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning

helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Drivin
g Habit s
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler- ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is

moderate.

Befor e Drivin g

Preparin
g to Driv e
You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its

pressure.

4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 75 ).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 81 ).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 65 ).
8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened

their seat belts (see page 15 ). 10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11.Start the engine (see page 133 ).
12.Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53 ).
Drivin g

Automati
c Transmissio n
Your Acura's transmission has four
forward speeds, and is electronically controlled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift when the converter locks. Shif
t Leve r Positio n Indicato r
This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shift
lever is in.
The "D4" indicator comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-
ation and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Acura
dealer as soon as possible. Shif
t Leve r Position s
The shift lever has seven positions.
It must be in Park or Neutral to start the engine. When you are stopped in
D4, D3, 2,1, N or R, press firmly on
the brake pedal, and keep your foot
off the accelerator pedal.

Drivin g
SHIF
T

LEVE R

Automati
c Transmissio n

Shif t Loc k Releas e
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriveror small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the
edge of the cover. 4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on the
shift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to Neutral. 6. Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the

cover.

Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.

Driving

RELEAS
E BUTTO N
SHIF T LOC K
RELEAS E SLO T