Coolin
g Syste m
5. Remove the reserve tank from itsholder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
6. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator. Put a new
washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt in theengine block. Tighten it securely.
Tightening torque:
58 Ibf .
ft (78 N .
m , 8.0 kgf .
m)
7. Mix the recommended antifreeze
with an equal amount of purified
or distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
With 5-speed manual transmission:
(SE,
LS,
GS)
1.16 US gal (4.4 , 0.97 Imp gal)
(GS-R, Type-R)
1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
1.24 US gal (4.7 , 1.03 Imp gal)
8. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck.
9. Start the engine and let it run for
about 30 seconds. Then turn off
the engine.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
HOLDE
R RESERV
E
TAN K CA P
RESERV
E TAN K
Fill u p t o her e
FILLE
R NEC K
Transmissio
n Fluid , Brak e an d Clutc h Flui d
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as
convenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule. Brak
e an d Clutc h Flui d
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are: Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
FILLE
R BOL T
Correc
t leve l
Storin
g You r Ca r
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.Change the engine oil and filter (see page 173). Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5- speed manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors). Disconnect the battery.
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and hatch seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 162 ). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenanc e
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 Star t
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.Check these things: Your car has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 72 ).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 231. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergenc y Towin g on page 245.)
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 189). You can
then try jump starting the car from a booster battery (see page
231).
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
Inde
x
Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130
Additional Safety Precaution.... 131Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 182
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184
Engine Coolant........................... 176
Engine Oil................................... 171
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 43
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
SRS Components......................... 45
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 173
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 205
Head Restraints........................... 82
Mirrors.......................................... 86
Seats.............................................. 79
Steering Wheel............................ 66
Airbag (SRS)...............................
9, 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 186
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 194
Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 254
Antifreeze....................................... 176
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light..................... 55, 148Operation.................................... 146
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 74
Appearance Care........................... 215 Ashtrays............................................ 91
Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140
Capacity, Fluid........................... 251
Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 54, 236
Jump Starting............................. 231 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 251
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 221
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146Break-in, New Linings.............. 123
Fluid............................................ 183
Light, Burned-out...................... 210
Parking.......................................... 87
System Indicator.................. 54, 238
Wear Indicators......................... 145
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 146
System Indicator.................. 55, 148
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 210
Brake Lights............................... 210
Cargo Area Light....................... 212
Ceiling Lights............................. 212
Front Parking Lights................. 208
Front Side Marker Lights......... 208
Headlights.................................. 207
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
License Plate Light.................... 212
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 210 Specifications............................. 251
Spotlights.................................... 212
Turn Signal Lights..................... 208
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 207
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 231
Capacities Chart.................... 250, 251
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......................... 248
Chains............................................. 202
Change Oil
How to......................................... 173
When to....................................... 162
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 225
Changing Engine Coolant............. 178
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 236 Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 182
Battery Condition...................... 189
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184
Drive Belts.................................. 195
Engine Coolant........................... 128
Engine Oil................................... 127
Fuses........................................... 241
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21 Cleaner Element, Air..................... 186
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 217
Antenna...................................... 216
Carpeting.................................... 218
Exterior....................................... 216
Fabric.......................................... 218
Interior........................................ 218
Leather........................................ 218
Seat Belts.................................... 218
Vinyl............................................ 218
Windows..................................... 219