jump start Acura CL 2003 Owner's Manual

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation 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 f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .294
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .295
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 300
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .301
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .302
................................
Jump Starting .303
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 306
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 308
..........
Charging System Indicator . 309
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 310
.......................
Readiness Codes .311
...............
Brake System Indicator . 312
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 313
..............................................
Fuses .314
..........
Checking and Replacing . 315
......................
Emergency Towing .320
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed293

When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orNeutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page . Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereisproba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. (See
on page .)If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the car from
a booster battery (see page ).
303 320
259
303
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
301

If your car’s battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: climate control, stereo
system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Remove the battery cover (see
page ).
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
To jump start your car, f ollow these
directions closely:
1. 2.
3.
259
259
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed303
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

µ
´
´ Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
Acura’s battery. Connect the other
end to the positive ( ) terminal
on the booster battery.
5.
4.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed304
P P r
ree m
m i
iuu m
m m
mo
od
de
ell T
Ty
ypp e
e-
-S
S

If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables. Start your car. If the starter motor
still operates slowly, check the
jumper cable connections to make
sure they have good metal-to-
metal contact.
Once your car is running, discon-
nectthenegativecablefromyour
car, then from the booster battery.
Disconnect the positive cable f rom
your car, then the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until all are
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short. 7.
8.
6.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed305
B BO OO OSSTTE
ER
R B
BAA T
TT
TE
ER
RY Y

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 185
................................
Accessories .185
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 186
............................
Modif ications .186
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 117
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 240
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 46, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .254
..............
Air Conditioning System . 122
..............................
Maintenance .264
.................................
Usage .124, 129
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .266
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .158
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .330
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 287
......................................
Antif reeze .243
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 208
...................................
Operation .207
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 157
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .81 ..........................
Anti-thef t System .158
..........................
Appearance Care .285
............................................
Armrest .96
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 156
................................
Audio System .135
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .122
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 71
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .44
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 159
..............
Automatic Transmission . 197
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .326
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 250
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 200
.......................................
Shif ting .198
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 197
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 198
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 204
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 309
............................
Jump Starting .303 ..............................
Maintenance .259
............................
Specif ications .327
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,43
...........................
Beverage Holder .111
...................................
Body Repair .292
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 207
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
....................
Bulb Replacement .278
...........................................
Fluid .252
.......................................
Parking .108
.................
System Indicator . 60,312
........................
Wear Indicators .206
.............................
Braking System .206
........................
Break-in, New Car .178
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 340
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
......
Def rosting the Windows . 128,133
....................................
Dimensions .326
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 250
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 206
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .242
Doors ....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
..............................
Monitor Light .63
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....................................
Drive Belts .265
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .191
....................................
Economy .184
.........................
In Bad Weather .215
................
In Foreign Countries . 331
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .100 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
..............................
Economy, Fuel .184
............
Emergencies on the Road . 293
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 303
...........
Brake System Indicator . 312
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 295
.....
Charging System Indicator . 309
..................
Checking the Fuses . 315
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 308
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 310
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 313
..................
Overheated Engine . 306
.........................
Emergency Brake .108
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .320
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .332
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 335
Engine ............................................
Belts .265
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 310 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 239
...............................
Overheating .306
............................
Specif ications .327
....................
Speed Limiter . 195,203
.......................................
Starting .193
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .330
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 332
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .333
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 286
..........................
Fan, Interior .126, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 179
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 324
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .78
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 333
........................
Immobilizer System .79
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .29
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
.........................................
LATCH .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 266
...................................
Inside Mirror .98
.............................
Inspection, Tire .268
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
...........................
Interior Cleaning .288
...............................
Interior Lights .118
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .297 .......................................
Jack, Tire .295
................................
Jump Starting .303
..................................................
Keys .78
.......................
Label, Certif ication .324
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .289
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .275
........................................
Ceiling .118
.....................................
Courtesy .119
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .70
..................................
Turn Signal .72
.....................................
Load Limit .217
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
........................
Lockout Prevention .83
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179 ....................................
Glove Box .90
.................................
Power Door .82
......
Rear Console Compartment . 90
...........................................
Trunk .87
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 97
........................
Low Coolant Level .183
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
Lubricant Specif ications ..........................................
Chart .326
.........................................
Luggage .187
..................................
Maintenance .225
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
.................................
Record .235-236
......................
Required Indicator .68
..........................................
Saf ety .226
.............................
Schedule .230-234
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,310
...................
Manual Transmission . 194
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 251
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 100
Index
J K
L
M
I
V