ECU Acura Integra 2001 Owner's Guide

Towin
g a Traile r

Checkin g Load s
The best way to confirm that vehicle and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public

scale.

Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the first time you set up a
towing combination (a fully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Towin
g Equipmen t an d

Accessorie s

Towing can require a variety of equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailersales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is properly installed and that it meets
federal, state, province, and localregulations. Hitches
Any hitch used on your vehicle must be properly bolted to the underbody.
Safety Chains
Always use safety chains. Make sure they are secured to both the trailer and hitch, and that they cross under
the tongue so they can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do
not let the chains drag on the ground.
CONTINUED
Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r

Additional Trailer Equipment
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don't,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your

towing situation.
Pre-To
w Checklis t
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, be sure to check the
following: The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages 151 and 152). The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure. All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are workingproperly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page 255),and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.

Driving

Engin
e Oi l
Addin g Oi l
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommende
d Oi l
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Honda Motor Oil in
your vehicle for as long as you own it.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oil container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Acura. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as CD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVIC E LABE L

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

ENGIN
E OI L FIL L CA P

Coolin
g Syste m

5. Remove the reserve tank from its holder by pulling it straight up.Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder. 6. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator. Put a new
washer on the drain bolt, thenreinstall the drain bolt in the engine block. Tighten it securely.
Tightening torque:
58 Ibf.ft (78 N.m , 8.0 kgf.m)

7. Pou
r Honda All Season
Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 into the radiator up to the base of the
filler neck. This coolant is amixture of 50 percent antifreeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required. The cooling system capacity is:
With 5-speed manual transmission:

(SE,
LS,
GS)

1.16 US gal (4.4 , 0.97 Imp gal)

(GS-R, Type-R
)

1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
Maintenanc
e

CONTINUED

Fil
l u p
t
o her e

RESERV
E

TAN K CA P

HOLDE R

RESERV
E TAN K
FILLE
R NEC K

Transmissio
n Flui d
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the filler hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (AutomaticTransmission Fluid). If it
is not available, you may use a
DEXRON ®
III automatic
transmission fluid as a temporary replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have the
transmission flushed and refilled
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.

To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this three times. Then drain and refill the
transmission a final time. 6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.

Maintenanc e
UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

Transmissio
n Fluid , Brak e an d Clutc h Flui d
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it isnot, add Honda Manual Transmis-sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as it is

convenient.

The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule. Brak
e an d Clutc h Flui d
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are: Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

FILLE
R BOL T

Correc
t leve l

Light
s

Replacin g a High-moun t Brak e
Ligh t Bul b
LS model
1. Undo the cover fasteners by pushing on the center of each
fastener's head until it pops in. Remove the cover.
2. Determine which bulb is burned out. 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its

socket.

Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
4. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working. 5. Reset each fastener by pushing on
the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
6. Reinstall the cover. Secure each fastener by pushing on the centeruntil it locks (the center is flush
with the head).
Maintenance

Light
s

8. Reset each fastener by pushing on the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Reinstall the cover. Secure each fastener by pushing on the center
until it locks (the center is flush
with the head). Replacin
g a Rea r Licens e Plat e
Bul b
1. Remove the two screws and remove the license plate light
assembly.

2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
4. Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is

working.

5. Reinstall the license light assem-
bly. Install the two screws and

tighten them securely.

Maintenanc 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

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

12. Put on the spare tire. Put the wheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully. 13. Lower the car to the ground and
remove the jack.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts securely in

the same crisscross pattern. Havethe wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service

facility.

Tighten the wheel nuts to:

80 lbf.ft (108 N.m , 11 kgf.m)

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d (Excep
t Type-R )

(Type-R )