check engine Acura Integra 2000 Hatchback 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 up briefly
then go out. This tells you that thesystem is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any other time, 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 safely service. 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

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.

S

R
S

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 comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 236.
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 235.
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 146.

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 normal
operation, 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 233 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.

Instrument s an d Control s

TEMPERATUR
E

GAUG E
TACHOMETE
R


SPEEDOMETE R

FUEL GAUG
E

TRI P METE R
ODOMETE R
TRI
P METE R

RESE T BUTTO N

Befor
e Drivin g
Before you begin driving your Acura,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggageor 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................. 124Opening the Hood..................... 125
Oil Check................................ 127
Engine Coolant Check.......... 128
Fuel Economy................................ 129
Vehicle Condition...................... 129Driving 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
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 171. 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 176 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Checks on page 169 for information
on checking other items in your
Acura.

Befor e Drivin g
UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K
MI
N

MA
X

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 169). For
example, an underinflated 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 tocombine 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 to
cut 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 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 electronicallycontrolled 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

Automati
c Transmissio n

Shif t Loc k Releas e
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normalmethod of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the
edge of the cover. 4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on theshift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to Neutral. 6. Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the

cover.

Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.

Driving

RELEAS
E BUTTO N
SHIF T LOC K
RELEAS E SLO T