Accessorie
s an d Modification s
Modifying your car, or installing some non-Acura accessories, can
make your car unsafe. Before you
make any modifications or add any
accessories, be sure to read the
following information.
Accessorie s
Your dealer has Genuine Acura accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These accessories have been designed and
approved for your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Acura accessories are usuallydesigned for universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, andcould adversely affect your car's
handling and stability. (See "Modifications" on the page 131 for
additional information.) When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your car'scomputer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car's electrical system capacity, they can interfere with the operation of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Before installing any accessory: Make sure the accessory does notobscure any lights, or interfere
with proper car operation or
performance. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see page 240). Have the installer contact your
Acura dealer for assistance before installing any electronic accessory.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.
Befor e Drivin g
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car's handling, stability and performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Batter
y
If your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, the audio system will
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the radio you will see "Code" in
the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page 119).
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the
battery to a charger.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E
Chargin
g Syste m Indicato r
This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
CHARGIN
G SYSTE M INDICATO R
Fuse
s
5. Look for a burned wire inside thefuse. If it is burned, replace it with one of the spare fuses of the same
rating or lower.
If you cannot drive the car without
fixing the problem, and you do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse of thesame rating or a lower rating from
one of the other circuits. Make sure
you can do without that circuit temporarily (such as the cigarette
lighter or radio). If you replace the blown fuse with a
spare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment fuse with the proper rating for the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.
6. If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious electrical problem in your car.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your car checked
by a qualified mechanic.
If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see "Code" in the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the five-digit code (see page
119).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
BLOW
N
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
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
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