2000 Acura Integra window

Heatin
g an d Coolin g
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition

clears.

The outside air intakes for the heating and cooling system are atthe base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation

The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the hatch.1. Slide the temperature contro l lever
all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off.
2. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.

CONTINUED

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

FA
N CONTRO L
LEVE R
TEMPERATUR
E
CONTRO L LEVE R

MOD
E BUTTON SRECIRCULATIO
N
BUTTO N
AI
R CONDITIONIN G

BUTTO N

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g an d Coolin g
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control lever is all the way to
the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode.
When the interior has cooled down to a more comfortable temperature,close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 59) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turnoff the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.

To Heat
To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3.
Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control lever.

To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Conditioning

Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning.
3. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the mixture of heated and cooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32° F (0°C).

CONTINUED

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

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To Defog and Defrost
To remove fog from the inside of the windows:
1. Switch the fan on.

2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select Fresh Air mode and
4. Adjust the temperature control

lever so the air flow from the

defroster vents feels warm.
5. Turn on the rear window defogger

to help clear the rear window.

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s FA
N CONTRO L

LEVE R
AI
R CONDITIONIN G
BUTTO N
RECIRCULATIO
N
BUTTO N
MOD
E BUTTON S
TEMPERATUR E
CONTRO L LEVE R

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g an d Coolin g

To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine.

2. Select the Fresh Air mode and 3. Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very colddays), first select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear, select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
fogging the windows. These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base ofthe windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
underneath each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshielddefroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
T
o Turn Everythin g Of f

To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms upenough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

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

Parkin
g
Always use the parking brake when you park your car. The indicator onthe instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; it does not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an

incline.

If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
before you put the transmission inPark. This keeps the car frommoving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission — making it easier to move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put it in first gear.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damagethe rear brakes. Parkin
g Tip s Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn off the lights. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them

with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on

fire.

Drivin g

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-

tions.
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that may seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 100).
CONTINUED
Drivin g

Windshiel
d Washer s

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop
for fuel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The windshield washer reservoir islocated behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather. When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluidon a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.

Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E

WINDSHIEL
D WASHE R RESERVOI R
LEVE L GAUG E