towing Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback User Guide

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience 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....................... 224
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 225
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 230 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 230
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 231
Jump Starting................................. 231 If Your Engine Overheats............. 233
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 235Charging System Indicator........... 236
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 237
Brake System Indicator................ 238 Closing the Moonroof................... 239
Fuses............................................... 240 Checking and Replacing........... 241
Emergency Towing....................... 245

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Emergenc
y Towin g

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance. Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional towing equipment:

Flat-bed Equipment — The operator

loads your vehicle on the back of a

truck. Thi s i s th e best way o f trans -
portin g you r Acura .

Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Thi s is
a n acceptabl e wa y t o to w you r
Acura .
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged. Thi s metho d o f towin g
i s unacceptable .
If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.

5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.

Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the engine, your vehicle must be trans-
ported with the front wheels off the
ground.

With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Emergenc
y Towin g

If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.

The steering wheel system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns freely before you begin towing. Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle's weight.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

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

Clutch Fluid.................................... 183

Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 256

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137

Compact Spare............................... 224

Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 260
Controls, Instruments and............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 176

Checking..................................... 128

Proper Solution.......................... 176

Replacing.................................... 178

Temperature Gauge.................... 59

Corrosion Protection..................... 220

Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 256

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 260
DANGER, Explanation of................
ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 62 Dead Battery, What to Do............ 231
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 263
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 182
Dimensions..................................... 250
Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 182
Engine Oil................................... 127
Directional Signals........................... 63
Disabled, Towing Your Car
If......
245
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145 Disposal of Used Oil...................... 175
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 252
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149 In Foreign Countries................. 255

Economy, Fuel............................... 129

Emergencies on the Road............. 223 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 231
Brake System Indicator............ 238
Changing a Flat Tire................. 225
Charging System Indicator...... 236
Checking the Fuses................... 241
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 237
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 239 Overheated Engine................... 233
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 241
Emissions Controls........................ 256

CONTINUED

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Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 195 Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................ 54, 237
Oil Pressure Indicator........ 54, 235
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 233
Specifications............................. 250
Engine Speed Limiter........... 139, 142
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 254
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 256
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 216
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 218

Fan, Interior...................................... 94

Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters Air Cleaner................................. 186
Oil................................................ 173

First Gear, Shifting........................ 142

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 225
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 182Brake........................................... 183

Clutch.......................................... 183

Manual Transmission............... 183
Power Steering........................... 185
Windshield Washer................... 181
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 255
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 245

Fuel.................................................. 123
Fill Door and Cap....................... 124
Gauge............................................ 59

Octane Requirement................. 123

Oxygenated................................ 254
Reserve Indicator......................... 54
Tank, Filling the......................... 124
Fuses, Checking the...................... 240
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 129

Gasohol........................................... 254

Gasoline.......................................... 123 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 54
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 123
Tank, Filling the......................... 124
Gas Station Procedures................. 124
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature.... 59
Fuel............................................... 59

Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission
........... 140

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 138
Glass Cleaning............................... 219

Glove Box......................................... 78

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Windows....................................... 84

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19

Protecting Adults............................. 12

Additional Safety Precautions.... 19

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protecting Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 29Protecting Larger Children........ 37
Protecting Small Children.......... 33

Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 40

Radiator Overheating.................... 233
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 102
Rear End Towing........................... 245
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 210
Rear Seat Access............................. 81
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 83
Rear View Mirror............................. 86
Rear Window Defogger.................. 65
Rear Window Washer..................... 65
Rear Window Wiper........................ 65
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 79 Recommended Shift Speeds........ 139
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 186
Coolant........................................ 178
Engine Oil and Filter................. 173
Fuses........................................... 240
Light Bulbs................................. 207
Schedule..................................... 162
Spark Plugs................................. 187
Timing Belt................................. 195
Tires............................................ 200
Wiper Blades.............................. 192
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 43

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 176

Restraint, Child................................ 21

Reverse Gear Position................... 141

Rotation, Tire................................. 199

Safety Belts................................... 8, 42

Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................9

Door Locks................................... 10 Head Restraints........................... 10

Seat Belts........................................ 8

Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt
, Additional Information.. 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 43
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Seat Belts..................................... 8, 42
Cleaning...................................... 218

Maintenance................................. 43

Reminder Light and
Beeper................................. 42, 54

System Components.................... 42
Tether Attachment Points.......... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 16
Seats, Adjusting the.................. 13, 79
Serial Number................................ 248
Service Intervals............................ 162 Service Manual*............................ 265
Service Station Procedures.......... 124
Setting the Clock............................. 88

CONTINUED

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Winter Driving........................... 201
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 225
Towing A Trailer...................................... 151

Emergency................................. 245

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 182
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 183
Fluid Selection............................ 182
Identification Number............... 249
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138

Treadwear..................................... 252

Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63

Underside, Cleaning...................... 220

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 223

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 252

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 218
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 175
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 62

Key in Ignition.............................. 74

Seat Belts................................ 42, 54

WARNING, Explanation of..............
ii
Warning Labels

, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 262

Washer, Windshield

Checking the Fluid Level......... 181
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 216
Waxing and Polishing................... 217

Wheels

Adjusting the Steering................ 66

Alignment and Balance............. 198
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 217

Compact Spare........................... 224

Wrench....................................... 226

Windows
Cleaning...................................... 219

Operating the Power................... 84
Rear, Defogger............................ 65
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 64

Defroster.................................... 100
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 192

Operation...................................... 64

Worn Tires..................................... 197

Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 245
* : U.S. and Canada only

Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 250
Vehicle Identification Number..... 248
Vehicle Storage.............................. 214
Ventilation......................................... 97

VIN.................................................. 248

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 218

Viscosity, Oil................................... 172