steering wheel Acura Integra 2001 User Guide

Instrument
s an d Control s
This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of

your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach.

Control Locations............................ 52

Indicator Lights................................ 53
Gauges.............................................. 58

Speedometer................................ 58

Tachometer.................................. 58

Odometer...................................... 58

Trip Meter.................................... 58
Fuel Gauge................................... 59

Temperature Gauge.................... 59 Maintenance Required
Indicator.................................... 60

Controls Near the Steering Wheel........................................ 61

Headlights....................................
62

Daytime Runnin
g Lights............. 62
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 63
Turn Signals................................. 63
Windshield Wipers...................... 64

Windshield Washers................... 64

Rear Window Wiper and
Washer...................................... 65

Hazard Warning........................... 65
Rear Window Defogger..............

65

Steering Whee
l Adjustment....... 66

Steering Wheel Controls................

67

Cruise Control.............................
.

67

Keys
an
d Locks................................

71

Keys...............................................
7
1Immobilizer System..................... 72

Ignition Switch............................. 73

Door Locks................................... 75
Power Door/Hatch Locks.......... 75

Hatch............................................. 76

Glove Box..................................... 78

Seat Adjustments............................. 79
Front Seat Adjustments.............. 79
Driver's Seat Height
Adjustment............................... 80

Driver's Lumbar Support............ 80
Rear Seat Access......................... 81

Head Restraints........................... 82

Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Cargo Area Cover............................ 83

Power Windows............................... 84

Moonroof.......................................... 85

Mirrors.............................................. 86
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 86

Parking Brake..................................

87

Digital Clock....................................
. 88

Beverage Holder.............................. 89

Console Compartment.................... 90

Cigarette Lighter............................. 90

Ashtrays............................................ 91

Interior Lights.................................. 92

Instrument s an d Control s

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals, headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The controls on the dashboard to the right of the steering column are for
the instrument panel brightness,
hazard warning lights and rear
window defogger.
The moonroof switch and cruise control switch are to the left of the
steering column.

The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.

Instruments an d Control s

CRUIS
E

CONTRO L
INSTRUMEN
T PANE L
BRIGHTNES S HAZAR
D WARNIN G
LIGHT S REA
R WINDO W

DEFOGGE R

MOONROO F
HEADLIGHTS /
TUR N SIGNAL S HOR
N
BUTTON S

TIL T ADJUSTMEN T
WINDSHIEL
D

WIPERS/WASHER S

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l

Make sure the rear window is clear and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of the rear window can be accidentallydamaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side to side.
Steerin
g Whee l Adjustmen t

See page 17 for important safety
information about how to properly

position the steering wheel.

Make any steering wheel adjustment
before you start driving.
To adjust the steering wheel upwardor downward:
1. Push the lever under the steering column all the way down.

Instrument s an d Control s
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a

crash.

Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Wheel , Steerin g Whee l Control s

2. Move the steering wheel to the desired position, making sure the
wheel points toward your chest, not toward your face. Make sure
you can see the instrument panel gauges and the indicator lights.
3. Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in that position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down. Cruis
e Contro l

LS, GS and GS-R models

Cruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for conditions such as city driving,
winding roads, slippery roads, heavy rain, or bad weather. You should
have full control of the car under
those conditions.
The cruise control, as it operates,
moves the accelerator pedal. You can
damage your car's accelerator
mechanism by resting your foot under the pedal and blocking the movement.

CONTINUED

Instrument s an d Control s

NOTIC
E

Improper use of the cruise

control can lead to a crash.

Use the cruise control only

when traveling on open
highways in good weather.

Steerin
g Whee l Control s
Using the Cruise Control
1. Push in the Cruise Control Master Switch to the left of the steering
column. The indicator in theswitch will light.
2. Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph (40 km/h). 3. Press and release the SET/decel
button on the steering wheel. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel comes on to show the system is now activated. The cruise control may not hold the
set speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to slow down to the desired speed. This
will cancel the cruise control. To
resume the set speed, press the RESUME/accel button. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel comes on.
When climbing a steep hill, the automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed.

Instrument s an d Control s
RESUME
/

acce l

SET/dece l

Key
s an d Lock s

LOC K (0 ) — You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key inslightly as you turn it. If your car has
an automatic transmission, the shift
lever must also be in Park. The anti-
theft lock will lock the steering column when you remove the key.
If the front wheels are turned, theanti-theft lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to the right as you turn the key. ACCESSOR
Y (I ) — In this position,
you can operate the audio system and the cigarette lighter.
O N (II ) — This is the normal key
position whe n driving. All features
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch from
ACCESSORY to ON. STAR
T (III ) — Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key's coding (see page 72).

You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.
Instrument s an d Control s Removing the key from the

ignition switch while driving

locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when

parked.

Accessorie
s an d Modification s

Modification s
Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change theride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock
brakes and other systems. In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make thesystem ineffective. Additiona
l Safet y Precautio n

Do not attach or place objects on the

airbag covers. Any object attached to

or placed on the covers marked "SRS
AIRBAG," in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the
dashboard, could interfere with the
proper operation of the airbags. Or,
if the airbags inflate, the objects
could be propelled inside the car and
hurt someone.

Before 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 hatch 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 79 ).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 86 ).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 66 ).
8. Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 16 ). 10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 137).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).
Drivin g

Th
e Brakin g Syste m
Your Acura is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing themto build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind

you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower gear and taking your foot off theaccelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brak
e Wea r Indicator s
All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing, you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."

Driving

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Brak e Syste m Desig n
The hydraulic system that operates the brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking at two wheels.
Anti-loc
k Brake s

The Integra LS, GS, GS-R and
Type-R models have an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) as standard
equipment.
ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retain steering control.
When the front tires skid, you lose steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much faster than a
person can do it.
Drivin g Fron
t