spare tire Acura Integra 2001 Owner's Manual

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

Tire
s
To safely operate your car, your tires must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and correctly inflated. The following
pages give more detailed information on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Inflatio
n

Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life and riding comfort. Underinflated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handlingand fuel economy, and are more
likely to fail from being overheated. Overinflated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to damage from road hazards, and wear

unevenly.

We recommend that you visually check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it immediately with a tire gauge.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf/cm2) per month. Remember to check the spare tire at
the same time you check all the other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car

has been parked for at least three

hours. If you have to drive the car
before checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered "cold" if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6km).

If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven
several miles), you will see readings

4 to
6 psi (30
to
40 kPa, 0.3
to
0.4
kgf/cm2) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal. Do not let air out to match the specified cold
pressure. The tire will be
underinflated.
You should get your own tire pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a pressure loss is due to a tire problemand not due to a variation between

gauges.

Maintenanc e

Using tires that are excessively

worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.

Follow all instructions in this

owner's manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

Tire
s

Recommended Tire Pressures for Normal Driving

The following chart shows the recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal driving conditions and speeds. Tire pressures for high
speed driving are the same as for
normal driving.
The compact spare tire pressure is:60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm2)
These pressures are also given on the tire information label on thedriver's doorjamb.
Tubeless tires have some ability to self-seal if they are punctured.
However, because leakage is often
very slow, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
Inspectio
n
Every time you check inflation, you should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for: Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions. Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.
Excessive tread wear.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc 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.

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
9. Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off the
ground.
10. Remove the wheel nuts and flat
tire. Temporarily place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface of the wheel facing up.
You could scratch the wheel if you
put it face down.
11. Before mounting the spare tire,wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully, it may be hot from
driving.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

EXTENSIO
N

WHEE L WRENC H

BRAKE HU B

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 )

Changin
g a Fla t Tire , I f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
15. Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.
Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
16. Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt. 17. Secure the flat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
18. Store the jack in its holder with the end bracket facing to the right.
Turn the jack's end bracket to lock
it in place. Store the tool kit.
19. Store the wheel cover or center cap in the cargo area. Make sure it
will not get scratched or damaged.
20. Reinstall the floor mat and spare tire cover, then close the hatch. I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, oroperates very slowly. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

WIN
G BOL T
SPACER
CON E

Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack and tools
securely before driving.

Inde
x
Capacities Chart.................... 254, 255
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Cargo Area Cover............................ 83

Carrying Cargo.............................. 132

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 118

Operation.................................... 115

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii

CD Changer.................................... 111
CD Player........................................ 109

Certification Label......................... 252

Chains............................................. 204

Changing Oil
How to......................................... 175

When to....................................... 162

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227

Changing Engine Coolant............. 180
Charging System Indicator.... 55, 239
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21

Child Seats........................................ 26

Tether Anchorage Points........... 41
Cleaner Element, Air..................... 188
Cleaning

Aluminum Wheels..................... 219

Antenna....................................... 218Carpeting.................................... 220

Exterior....................................... 218

Fabric.......................................... 221

Interior........................................ 220

Leather........................................ 221
Seat Belts.................................... 221

Vinyl............................................221

Windows..................................... 222

Clock, Setting the............................ 88

Clutch Fluid.................................... 185

Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 260 Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 226
Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 266
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding......................................... 178
Checking..................................... 128
Proper Solution.......................... 178
Replacing.................................... 180
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 223

Crankcase Emissions Control

System......................................... 260

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 266
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard.................................... 2, 52

Daytime Running Lights................. 62
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 269
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
Dimensions..................................... 254 Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 183

Engine Oil................................... 127

Directional Signals........................... 63
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 177
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 256