warning Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback User Guide

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Tractio n — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when theoutside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause

a skid.
Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.

Drivin g

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 shoulderof a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
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.

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. JAC
K
SPAR E TIR E
TOOL KI T

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g
Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 137. Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank. There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 240).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245 . Jum
p Startin g
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.
You cannot start an Acura with an automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery(see page 189). 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.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces-

sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E
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.

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s
The pointer of your car's tempera- ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a longsteep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should determine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators.

2. If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray,

leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If the high heat is due to overloading (climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.

4. If the temperature gauge stays at

the red mark, turn off the engine.

5. Wait until you see no more signs

of steam or spray, then open the
hood.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.

2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open

the hood and check the oil level (see page 127). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the

level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 171).

4. Start the engine and watch the oil

pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245.)

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

LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R

DO
T Tir e Qualit y Gradin g (U.S . Cars )
The tires on your car meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform- ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The following explains these gradings.
Unifor m Tir e Qualit y Gradin g
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the maximum section width. For
example:

Treadwea r 20 0
Tractio n A A
Temperatur e A
Treadwea
r

The treadwear grade is a compara- tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate. Tractio
n
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability tostop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.

Technica l Informatio n

DO
T Tir e Qualit y Gradin g (U.S . Cars )
Temperatur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading either separately or in combination, can
cause heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
Technical Informatio n

Inde
x

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

Inde
x

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 207

Hatch................................................. 76
Opening the................................. 76

Open Monitor Light.................... 56

Hazard Warning Flashers.............. 65

Headlights
Aiming......................................... 205Daytime Running Lights............. 62
High Beam Indicator................... 57
High Beams, Turning on............ 62
Low Beams, Turning on............. 62
Reminder Chime.......................... 62
Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 207

Turning on................................... 62

Head Restraints...............................
82

Heating and Cooling........................ 94

High Altitude, Starting at.............. 137

High-Low Beam Switch.................. 62

High-mount Brake Light............... 209

Hood Latch.....................................
187

Hood, Opening the........................
125
Horn..................................................
61

Hot Coolant, Warning About........
176

Hydraulic Clutch............................ 184
Hydroplaning.................................. 150

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 248
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 245
Ignition Keys............................................... 71
Switch............................................ 71
Timing Control System............. 257
Immobilizer System......................... 72
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infant Restraint................................ 21
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 196
Inside Mirror.................................... 86

Inspection, Tire.............................. 197

Instrument Panel......................... 2, 52
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 63
Interior Cleaning............................ 218
Interior Lights.................................. 92
Introduction......................................... i
Jacking up the Car......................... 226

Jack, Tire....................................... 226
Jump Starting................................. 231

Keys................................................... 71

Label, Certification........................ 248
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 63
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 42
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 49
Leather, Cleaning.......................... 218
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 90
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 207

Indicator........................................ 53

Parking.......................................... 62

Turn Signal................................... 63

Limited Slip Differential............... 148
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 74
CONTINUED

Inde
x
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