towing Acura Integra 2001 User Guide

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 226
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 231 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 232
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 233
Jump Starting................................. 233 If Your Engine Overheats............. 236
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 238Charging System Indicator........... 239
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 240
Brake System Indicator................ 241 Closing the Moonroof................... 242
Fuses............................................... 243 Checking and Replacing........... 244
Emergency Towing....................... 248

Takin g Care o f th e Unexpecte d

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
JAC
K

SPAR E TIR E

TOOL KI T

1. Park the car on firm, level and non-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual). Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. 2. Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
3. Open the hatch. Pull up the floor mat and remove the spare tire
cover.

4. Take the tool kit out of the spare tire well.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

The car can easily roll off the

jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.

Follow the directions for

changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.

Emergenc
y Towin g

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car 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 car on the back of a truck.

Thi s is th e bes t wa y to transpor t

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 to 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 car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged.
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
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 (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported 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 thespeed below 35 mph (55 km/h).

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

Emergenc
y Towin g

If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I)so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and anyelectrical accessories are turned off
so they do not run down the battery.

The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freely before you begin towing. Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.

Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

NOTIC E

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Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149
In Foreign Countries................. 259
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 225 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 233
Brake System Indicator............ 241
Changing a Flat Tire................. 227
Charging System Indicator...... 239
Checking the Fuses................... 244
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 238
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 240
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 242 Overheated Engine................... 236
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 248
Emissions Controls........................ 260 Emissions Testing, State.............. 263
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 197
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 240
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 238
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 236
Specifications............................. 254
Starting........................................ 137
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 258
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 260
Exhaust Fumes................................
49

Expectant Mothers
, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 218
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 221

Fan, Interior...................................... 94

Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 188
Oil................................................ 175

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 185
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 227
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183Brake........................................... 185
Clutch.......................................... 185
Manual Transmission............... 185
Power Steering........................... 187
Windshield Washer................... 182
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 259
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
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Technical Descriptions................. 251 Emissions Control Systems...... 260Oxygenated Fuels...................... 258
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 262

Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Anchorage Points............... 41
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 262
Time, Setting the............................. 88
Timing Belt..................................... 197
Tire Chains..................................... 204
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 227
Tires................................................ 198 Air Pressure............................... 198Checking Wear.......................... 199
Compact Spare........................... 226
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 256
Inflation....................................... 198
Inspection................................... 199
Maintenance............................... 200
Replacing.................................... 202
Rotating....................................... 201

Snow............................................ 204

Specifications............................. 255
Tire Chains................................. 204
Winter Driving........................... 203 Tools, Tire Changing.................... 227
Towing
A Trailer...................................... 151

Emergency................................. 248

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 183
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 185
Fluid Selection.................. 184,
185

Identification Number..............
. 253
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138

Treadwear...................................... 256

Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63
Underside, Cleaning...................... 223
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 225

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 256
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 220
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 177 Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 254
Vehicle Identification Number..... 252
Vehicle Storage.............................. 216
Ventilation......................................... 97
VIN 252
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 221

Viscosity, Oil................................... 174
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 268
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 182
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 218
Waxing and Polishing................... 219
Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 66
Alignment and Balance............. 200
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 219

Compact Spare........................... 226
Wrench....................................... 228
Windows Cleaning...................................... 222Operating the Power................... 84
Rear, Defogger............................ 65
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 64
Defroster.................................... 100
Washers........................................ 64
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 194
Operation...................................... 64
Worn Tires..................................... 199
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 248
* : U.S. and Canada only
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