Maintenanc
e
This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 265 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 158
Important Safety Precautions.. 159
Maintenance Schedule.................. 160
Maintenance Record..................... 167
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 169
Fluid Locations............................... 170
Engine Oil....................................... 171 Adding Oil................................... 171
Recommended Oil..................... 171
Synthetic Oil............................... 173
Additives..................................... 173
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 173
Cooling System.............................. 176
Adding Engine Coolant............. 176Replacing Engine Coolant........ 178
Windshield Washers..................... 181
Transmission Fluid........................ 182 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 182
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 183
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 183 Brake System............................. 184
Clutch System............................ 184
Power Steering............................... 185
Air Cleaner Element...................... 186
Hood Latch..................................... 187
Spark Plugs..................................... 187 Replacement............................... 187
Specifications............................. 189
Battery............................................ 189
Wiper Blades.................................. 192
Air Conditioning System............... 194
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tires................................................ 196 Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 197
Maintenance............................... 198
Tire Rotation.............................. 199
Tire Wear.................................... 199
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 200
Wheels and Tires....................... 201
Winter Driving........................... 201
Snow Tires.............................. 202
Tire Chains............................. 202
Lights.............................................. 203 Headlight Aiming...................... 205
Replacing Bulbs......................... 207
Storing Your Car............................ 214
Maintenance
Tire
s
Wheel s an d Tire s
Wheels:
(SE)
14 x 5 1/ 2 J J
(LS, GS, GS-R, Type-R)
15x6 JJ
Tires:
(SE)
P195/60R1 4 85 H
(LS,
GS,
GS-R)
P195/55R1 5 84 V
(Type-R)
195/55R1 5 84 V
See page 252 for information about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
Winte
r Drivin g
SE, LS, GS and GS-R models
Tires that are marked "M+S" or "All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate performance in winter driving.For the best performance in snowyor icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under certain conditions.
Type-R model
You should mount winter tires on
your Type-R before winter starts
(before consistent sub-freezing
temperatures). Change back to
"summer" tires after winter weather
has stopped.
Maintenance
CONTINUED
Tire
s
Snow Tires
SE, LS, GS and GS-R models
If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, make sure they are radial tires of the same size and load rangeas the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your car's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roadsmay not be as high as your car's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommen-
dations.
Type-R model
Mount winter tires on all four wheels.
The performance capabilities of the winter tires may not be the same as
your vehicle's original-equipmenttires. Check with the tire dealer formaximum speed recommendations. Tire Chains
Mount traction devices (link-type or
cable-type) only when required by
driving conditions or local laws.
Make sure they are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires.
SE model
If link-type traction devices are used,
they must be SAE class "S". Cable-
type traction devices can also be
used.
LS, GS, GS-R, and Type-R models
Because your Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class "S"
cable-type traction devices.
Link-type "chains" should not be
used. No matter how tight they seem
to be installed, they can come into contact with the body andsuspension, causing serious damage.
All Models
When installing traction devices, follow the manufacturer'sinstructions and mount them as
tightly as you can. Drive slowly with
them installed. If you hear them coming in contact with the body or
chassis, stop and investigate. Make
sure the traction devices are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brakes or
suspension.
Remove them as soon as you start driving on cleared roads.
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your car's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.
Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E
Compac
t Spar e Tir e
Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use thisspare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tirerepaired or replaced and put back on
your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm2)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit
your car. Do not use your spare tire on another vehicle unless it is
the same make and model.
Type-R model only
Do not drive with the compactspare tire mounted on the front
wheels for a long period; it will damage the Limited Slip Differential. The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d INDICATO
R LOCATIO N MAR K
TREA D WEA R INDICATO R BA R
Inde
x
Shifting The Automatic Transmission.. 140
The 5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 138
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 140
Shift Lock Release......................... 143 Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 208
Signaling Turns................................ 63
Snow Tires...................................... 202
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 216
Sound System................................. 102
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 224
Specifications............................. 251
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 187
Specifications Charts..................... 250
Speed Control................................... 67
Speedometer.................................... 58
Spotlights.......................................... 92
SRS, Additional Information........... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
SRS Components......................... 45
SRS Service................................... 47
SRS Indicator.............................. 47, 54
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 74
Starting the Engine........................ 137
In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 137
With a Dead Battery................. 231
Steam Coming from Engine......... 233
Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 66
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 74
Stereo Sound System.................... 102
Storing Your Car............................ 214
Supplemental Restraint System...................................
9, 45
Servicing....................................... 47
SRS Indicator.......................... 47, 54
Synthetic Oil................................... 173
Tachometer...................................... 58
Tafflights, Changing Bulbs in....... 210 Taking Care of the Unexpected................................ 213
Tape Player..................................... 115 Technical Descriptions................. 247
Driving in Foreign Countries... 255
Emissions Control Systems...... 256
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 254
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 258
Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Attachment Points.............. 40
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 258
Time, Setting the............................. 88
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tire Chains..................................... 202
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 225
Tires................................................ 196 Air Pressure............................... 196Checking Wear.......................... 197
Compact Spare........................... 224
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 252
Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 197
Maintenance............................... 198
Replacing.................................... 200
Rotating....................................... 199
Snow............................................ 202
Specifications............................. 251
Tire Chains................................. 202