check engine Acura Integra 2001 Owner's Manual

Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t You r SR S

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Work s
The purpose of the SRSlight is to alert you to a
potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light briefly then
go out. This tells you that the systemis working properly.
If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignitionON (II). If the light stays on after the
engine starts. If the light comes on or flashes on
and off while you drive.
If you see any of these indications,
your airbags may not deploy when
you need them. See your Acura dealer as soon as possible. SR
S Servic e
Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and
there are no parts you can safelyservice. However, you must have
your car serviced if:

Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must
be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself.
This must be done by an Acura dealer or a knowledgeable body

shop.
The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Take your car to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inflate when you need them.

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

S

R
S

Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or

death if the airbags do not
inflate when needed.

Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

Indicato
r Light s

The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car. Lo
w Fue l Indicato r
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.
Seat Bel t Reminde r Ligh t
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is areminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition. Parkin
g Brak e
an d Brak e

Syste m

Indicato r
This light has two functions:
1. This indicator comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not fully released can damage the brakes and tires.
2. If the indicator remains lit after you have fully released theparking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page 241.

Instrument s an d Control s
Canad
a

U.S
.

BRAK E

Indicato
r Light s
Supplementa l Restrain t
Syste m Indicato r
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in the supplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 47.
Chargin
g Syste m

Indicato r
If this light conies on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete information, see page 239.
Low Oi l Pressur e
Indicato r
The engine can be severely damaged if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 238.
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lam p

See page 240.
Anti-loc
k Brak e
Syste m (ABS )
Indicato r

Only on models equipped with ABS (see

page 146)

This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III).
If this light comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the ABS.
If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, your car still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock. For complete information, see page 148.
Instrument s an d Control s

S

R
S
U.S
.
Canad
a

A
B S

Gauge
s

Fue l Gaug e
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off theignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II). Temperatur
e Gaug e
This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 236 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling

system.

Instrument s an d Control s

TEMPERATUR
E

GAUG E
TACHOMETE
RSPEEDOMETE R
FUEL GAUG E
TRI P METE R
TRI
P METE R
RESE T BUTTO N
ODOMETE R

Befor
e Drivin g
Before you begin driving your Acura,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels ofimportant fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in thissection will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. General Precautions...................... 122
Break-in Period.............................. 123
Gasoline.......................................... 123
Service Station Procedures.......... 124 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 124
Opening the Hood..................... 125 Oil Check................................ 127
Engine Coolant Check.......... 128
Fuel Economy................................ 129 Vehicle Condition...................... 129
Driving Habits............................ 129
Accessories and Modifications.... 130
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132

Before Drivin g

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Oil Check

DIPSTICK

Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.

CONTINUED

Befor e Drivin g

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

UPPE R MAR K

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower

marks.

If it is near or below the lower mark, see Addin g Oi l on page 173. Engine Coolant Check

RESERV E TAN K

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Addin g
Engin e Coolan t on page 178 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Check s on page 171 for information
on checking other items in your
Acura.

Befor e Drivin g
LOWE
R MAR K
MA
X
MI N

Fue
l Econom y
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicl e Conditio n
Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s (see page 171 ). For
example, an under-inflated tire causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Drivin
g Habit s
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C tocut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.

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

Automati
c Transmissio n
Your Acura's transmission has four forward speeds, and is electronically controlled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift
when the converter locks. Shif
t Leve r Positio n Indicato r
This indicator on the instrument panel shows which position the shift
lever is in.
The "D4" indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position), it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-ation and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Acuradealer as soon as possible. Shif
t Leve r Position s
The shift lever has seven positions. It must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D4, D3, 2, 1, N or R, press firmly on
the brake pedal, and keep your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Drivin g
SHIF
T

LEVE R

RELEAS
E

BUTTO N