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
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
Engin
e Oi l
Syntheti c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil:energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule. Additive
s
Your Acura does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Changin
g th e Oi l and Filte r
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
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
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
Inde
x
Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130
Additional Safety Precaution.... 131Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 182
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184
Engine Coolant........................... 176
Engine Oil................................... 171
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 43
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
SRS Components......................... 45
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 173
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 205
Head Restraints........................... 82
Mirrors.......................................... 86
Seats.............................................. 79
Steering Wheel............................ 66
Airbag (SRS)...............................
9, 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 186
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 194
Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 254
Antifreeze....................................... 176
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light..................... 55, 148Operation.................................... 146
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 74
Appearance Care........................... 215 Ashtrays............................................ 91
Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140
Capacity, Fluid........................... 251
Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 54, 236
Jump Starting............................. 231 Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 251
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 221
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146Break-in, New Linings.............. 123
Fluid............................................ 183
Light, Burned-out...................... 210
Parking.......................................... 87
System Indicator.................. 54, 238
Wear Indicators......................... 145
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 146
System Indicator.................. 55, 148
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 210
Brake Lights............................... 210
Cargo Area Light....................... 212
Ceiling Lights............................. 212
Front Parking Lights................. 208
Front Side Marker Lights......... 208
Headlights.................................. 207
High-mount Brake Light.......... 209
License Plate Light.................... 212
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 210 Specifications............................. 251
Spotlights.................................... 212
Turn Signal Lights..................... 208
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 207
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 231
Capacities Chart.................... 250, 251
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Cargo Area Cover............................ 83
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player Care............................................. 118
Operation.................................... 115
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 111
CD Player........................................ 109
Certification Label......................... 248
Chains............................................. 202
Change Oil
How to......................................... 173
When to....................................... 162
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 225
Changing Engine Coolant............. 178
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 236 Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 182
Battery Condition...................... 189
Brake Fluid................................. 184
Clutch Fluid................................ 184
Drive Belts.................................. 195
Engine Coolant........................... 128
Engine Oil................................... 127
Fuses........................................... 241
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 183
Power Steering Fluid................. 185
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21 Cleaner Element, Air..................... 186
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 217
Antenna...................................... 216
Carpeting.................................... 218
Exterior....................................... 216
Fabric.......................................... 218
Interior........................................ 218
Leather........................................ 218
Seat Belts.................................... 218
Vinyl............................................ 218
Windows..................................... 219
Inde
x
Clock, Setting the............................ 88
Clutch Fluid.................................... 183
Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 256
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 224
Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 260
Controls, Instruments and............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 176
Checking..................................... 128
Proper Solution.......................... 176
Replacing.................................... 178
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 220
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 256
Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 260
DANGER, Explanation of................
ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 62 Dead Battery, What to Do............ 231
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 263
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 182
Dimensions..................................... 250
Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 182
Engine Oil................................... 127
Directional Signals........................... 63
Disabled, Towing Your Car
If......
245
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145 Disposal of Used Oil...................... 175
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 252
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149 In Foreign Countries................. 255
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 223 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 231
Brake System Indicator............ 238
Changing a Flat Tire................. 225
Charging System Indicator...... 236
Checking the Fuses................... 241
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 237
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 239 Overheated Engine................... 233
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 241
Emissions Controls........................ 256
CONTINUED