2000 Acura Integra coolant level

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
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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 127.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 128.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 181. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
182.

Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
196.

Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 203.

Maintenance

Coolin
g Syste m

Addin g Engin e Coolan t
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
Antifreeze/Coolant. If it is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the coolingsystem to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible. If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.

Maintenanc e
Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.

Always let the engine and radiator cool down before

removing the radiator cap.

MI
N
MAX
RESERV E TAN K

Coolin
g Syste m

1. Make sure the engine and
radiator are cool.

2. Turn the radiator cap counter-

clockwise, without pressing down on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.

3. Remove the radiator cap by

pushing down and turningcounterclockwise.

4. The coolant level should be up to

the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.

5. Put the radiator cap back on.

Tighten it fully.

6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.

Fill it to halfway between the MAXand MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e
RESERV
E TAN K
RADIATO
R CA P

Coolin
g Syste m

10.Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the filler neck.

11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX

mark. Install the reserve tank cap.

12.Install the radiator cap, and

tighten it to the first stop.

13.Start the engine and let it run until

the radiator cooling fan comes on at least twice. Then stop the
engine.

14.Remove the radiator cap. Fill the

radiator with coolant up to the
base of the filler neck.

15.Start the engine and hold it at

1,500 rpm until the radiator fan
comes on. Turn off the engine. Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.

16.Install the radiator cap, and

tighten it fully.

17.If necessary, fill the reserve tank

to the MAX mark. Install thereserve tank cap.

Maintenanc e

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you continue driving (see Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245).

7. If you don't find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page 124). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.

8. If there was no coolant in the

reserve tank, you may also have to add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check- ing the radiator.

9. Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap

counterclockwise, without pushing

down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on

the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
10.Start the engine and set the

temperature control lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water. Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.

11.Put the radiator cap back on

lightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine needs repair. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 245.)

12.If the temperature stays normal,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.