window Acura Integra 2001 User Guide

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

To Defog and Defrost

To remove fog from the inside of the windows:
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select Fresh Air mode and
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the air flow from thedefroster vents feels warm.
5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window.

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s
MOD
E BUTTON S

TEMPERATUR E

CONTRO L LEVE R RECIRCULATIO
N
BUTTO N AI
R CONDITIONIN G
BUTTO N
FA N CONTRO L

LEVE R

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine.
2. Select the Fresh Air mode and 3. Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very colddays), first select the Recirculationmode. Once the windshield is clear,select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
fogging the windows. These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base ofthe windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
underneath each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshielddefroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
T
o Tur n Everythin g Of f

To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

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

Parkin
g
Always use the parking brake when you park your car. The indicator onthe instrument panel shows that theparking brake is not fully released; itdoes not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an

incline.

If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
before you put the transmission in Park. This keeps the car from
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission — making it easier to move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put it in first gear.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parkin
g Tip s Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed. Turn off the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them

with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on

fire.

Drivin g

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain, fog, and snow conditions require 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
conditions. Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem 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 beseen 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

Coolin
g System , Windshiel d Washer s

8. Start the engine and let it run for about 30 seconds. Then turn off
the engine.
9. Fill the radiator with coolant up to the base of the filler neck.
10. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11. Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
12. Start the engine and let it run until the radiator cooling fan comes on
at least twice. Then stop the

engine.

13. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the radiator with coolant up to thebase of the filler neck. 14. Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator fan
comes on. Turn off the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
15. Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully.
16. If necessary, fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap. 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.
Maintenanc e

Spar
k Plugs , Batter y

Specifications :

(SE,
LS,
GS)
NGK: PZFR5F-11

DENSO: PKJ16CR-L11

Plug Gap
:

0.04 in (1.1 mm )

(GS-R)
NGK:
PFR6G-13

DENSO: PK20PR-L13

Plug Gap
:

0.05 in (1.3 mm )

(Type-R)

NGK:

PFR6G-11

DENSO: PK20PR-L11

Plug Gap

:

0.04 in (1.1 mm ) Batter
y
Check the condition of your car's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window, and for corrosion on the terminals. TES
T INDICATO R WINDO W
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Storin
g You r Ca r
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 175). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors). Disconnect the battery.
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the

windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and hatch seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton. Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 164). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenanc e

Appearanc
e Car e
Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Acura helps to keep it "new" looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can do to help prevent corrosion. Exterior Care.................................. 218
Washing...................................... 218
Power Antenna Cleaning.......... 218
Waxing........................................ 219
Aluminum Wheels..................... 219 Paint Touch-up........................... 219
Interior Care................................... 220 Carpeting.................................... 220
Floor Mats.................................. 220
Fabric.......................................... 221
Vinyl............................................ 221
Leather........................................ 221
Seat Belts.................................... 221
Windows..................................... 222
Air Fresheners........................... 222
Corrosion Protection..................... 223
Body Repairs.................................. 224

Appearance Car e

Interio
r Car e

Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. Window
s
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass cleaner. You can also use a mixtureof one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.

The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires. When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.
Ai
r Freshener s
If you want to use an air freshener/ deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi- cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack ordiscolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it does not spill as you drive.

Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC
E