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
Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t
The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations in the maintenance schedule.
Cleanin g (Sever e Conditions )
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to compressed air (such as a servicestation), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Replacemen t
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger's
side of the engine compartment. To replace it:
1. Loosen the three bolts and remove
the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Lift up the old air cleaner element
and pull it out of the duct.
3. Carefully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
4. Attach the new air cleaner element to the duct. Make sure
the tab on the duct fits in the
notch on the air cleaner element.
Install the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing correctly
placing the square part of the
flange on the element in the mating recess on the housing.
5. Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the three bolts.
Maintenanc e
BOLT
S
AIR CLEANE R ELEMEN T
Hoo
d Latch , Spar k Plug s
Hoo d Latc h
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot. Follow the time and distance
recommendations in theMaintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Acura dealer. Spar
k Plug s
The spark plugs in your car are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. They need to be replaced
every 7 years or 105,000 miles (168,000 km), whichever comes first.
Replacement
1. GS-R and Type-R only:
Remove the four nuts, then
remove the plug wire cover.
2. Clean up any dirt and oil around
the spark plug caps.
3. Remove the spark plug cap by
pulling it straight out.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
LATC
H ASSEMBL Y SPARK PLU G CA P
Driv
e Belts , Timin g Bel t
Driv e Belt s
Check the condition of the two or
three drive belts. Examine the edges of each belt for cracks or fraying.Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the following
"play" or deflection.
Alternator belt:
0.35 — 0.43 in (9.0 — 11.0 mm)
Power steering belt:
0.45 — 0.53 in (11.5 — 13.5 mm)
Compressor belt
(On cars with A/C):
0.30 — 0.37 in (7.5 — 9.5 mm)
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Timin
g Bel t
The timing belt should normally be replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions: In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C). In very low temperatures
(under — 20°F, — 29°C).
Maintenance
ALTERNATO
R BEL T
POWER
STEERIN G
BEL T
COMPRESSO
R BEL T
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
Emission
s Control s
The burning of gasoline in your car's engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
form photochemical "smog." Carbon monoxide does not contribute tosmog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.
Th
e Clea n Ai r Ac t
The United States Clean Air Act* sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.Scheduled maintenance is on page
162.
* In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for
Emissions valid at the time they are
manufactured. Crankcas
e Emission s Contro l
Syste m
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps gasses that build up in the engine'scrankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase
Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporativ e Emission s Contro l
Syste m
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during driving.
Technica l Informatio n
Inde
x
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 74
Fuel Fill Door............................. 124
Glove Box..................................... 78
Hatch............................................. 76
Power Door and Hatch............... 75
Low Coolant Level......................... 128
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 54
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 54, 235
Lubricant Specifications Chart................................... 250, 251
Luggage.......................................... 132
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 86
Moonroof.......................................... 85
Closing Manually....................... 239
Operation...................................... 85
Neutral Gear Position.................... 141
New Vehicle Break-in................... 123
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 139
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 248
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 123
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 58
Oil
Change, How to......................... 173
Change, When to....................... 162
Checking Engine....................... 123
Pressure Indicator............... 54, 235 Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 172 ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 74
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 257
Opening the Hatch.......................... 76
Opening the Hood......................... 125
Operation in Foreign Countries... 255
Outside Mirrors............................... 86
Overheating, Engine..................... 233
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 254
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 169
Paint Touch-up............................... 217
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 141
Parking............................................ 144 Parking Brake.................................. 87
Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System.............................. 257
Polishing and Waxing................... 217
Power
Door and Hatch Locks................ 75
Mirrors.......................................... 86
Steering....................................... 185
Maintenance................................... 157
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 169
Record.................................. 167-168
Required Indicator....................... 60 Schedule.............................. 162-164
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 54, 237
Manual Transmission.................... 138
Manual Transmission Fluid......... 183
Meters, Gauges................................ 58 Methanol in Gasoline.................... 254
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