Acura Integra 2001 Owner's Manual

Exterio
r Car e
Washin g
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners

can damage the paint, metal, and

plastic on your car.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing. Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth. Start at the top and work your waydown. Rinse frequently. Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the car does not need waxing. When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the car, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 219).
Powe r Antenn a Cleanin g
Twice a year, clean the antenna mast with a dry cloth and mild detergent. Scrub the antenna in upward strokes
to avoid bending it. Rinse with water.
Make sure the antenna works smoothly by turning the stereo off
and on several times with the
ignition switch ON (II). The antenna does not need lubricating.
If you use a "drive-through" car wash,
make sure you turn the stereo off
first. This retracts the antenna to
prevent damage from the car wash

brushes.

Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC
E

Exterio
r Car e

Waxin g
Always wash and dry the whole car before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surface in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish andprotects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You should use a wax on your Acura
when it is new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Acura if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax. Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not

need waxing.

Aluminu m Wheel s

On some models

Clean your Acura's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the same
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels. Pain
t Touch-u p
Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on thedriver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chipsor scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips and scratches. More extensive paint damage should be repaired by a
professional.
Appearance Car e

Interio
r Car e
Carpetin g
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the market. Follow the instructions thatcome with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep the carpeting as dry as possible bynot adding water to the foam. Floo
r Mat s
The Genuine Acura driver's floor mat that came with your car wasdesigned to be hooked over the floor
mat anchor. This keeps the floor mat
from sliding forward and possibly interfering with the pedals. If you remove the floor mat, make
sure to re-anchor it when you put it
back in your car.
If you replace it, use a genuine Acura
floor mat that is designed to be used
with the floor mat anchor in your car.
If you use a non-Acura floor mat in
the driver's footwell, make sure it
fits properly and that it can be used
with the floor mat anchor.
Do not put additional floor mats on
top of the anchored mat, otherwise
the additional mats may slide
forward and interfere with the pedals.

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Interio
r Car e
Fabri c
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soapand lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first, to make sure it does not bleachor stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the
cleaner.

Viny l
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water. Use the samesolution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners. Leathe
r

On some models

Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently. Pay particularattention to the pleats and seams.Clean the leather with a soft cloth
dampened with clear water, then
buff it with a clean, dry cloth. If
further cleaning is needed, use a soap specifically for leather, such as
saddle soap. Apply this soap with a
damp, soft cloth. Wipe down and
buff as described above. Sea
t Belt s

LOO P

If your seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye, or cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air- dry before you use the car.
CONTINUED

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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.

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NOTIC
E

Corrosio
n Protectio n

Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of thecar stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car from corroding
by performing some simple periodic
maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them. Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors and body. Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is especially important in areas that
use road salt in winter. It is also a
good idea in humid climates and areas subject to salt air. Cars
equipped with ABS have a sensor
and wiring at each wheel. Be
careful not to damage them. Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.

Appearance Car e

Bod
y Repair s
Body repairs can affect your car's
resistance to corrosion. If your car
needs repairs after a collision, pay
close attention to the parts used in
the repair and the quality of the
work.
Make sure the repair facility uses
Genuine Acura replacement body
parts. Some companies make sheet metal pieces that seem to duplicate
the original Acura body parts, but are actually inferior in fit, finish, and

corrosion resistance. Once installed,

they do not give the same high-
quality appearance.
When reporting your collision to the
insurance company, tell them you
want Genuine Acura parts used in the repair. Although most insurers
recognize the quality of original
parts, some may try to specify that
the repairs be done with otheravailable parts. You should investi-
gate this before any repairs have

begun.

Take your car to your authorized
Acura dealer for inspection after the repairs are completed. Your dealercan make sure that quality materials
were used, and that corrosion- preventive coatings were applied toall repaired and replaced parts.
Appearanc e Car e

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

Compac
t Spar e Tir e

Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use this spare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back on your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be

inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm2)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Usegreater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the

compact spare.

The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to fit

your car. Do not use your spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is

the same make and model.
Type-R model only

Do not drive with the compact spare tire mounted on the front
wheels for a long period; it will
damage the Limited Slip

Differential.
INDICATO
R LOCATIO N MAR K

The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear

indicator bars. The replacement

should be the same size and design

tire, mounted on the same wheel.

The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on a regular

wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
TREA
D WEA R INDICATO R BA R

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.