2000 Acura Integra flat tire

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 220
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 226
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 226
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 227
Jump Starting................................. 227
If Your Engine Overheats............. 229Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 231
Charging System Indicator........... 232
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 233
Brake System Indicator................ 234
Closing the Moonroof................... 235
Fuses............................................... 236 Checking and Replacing........... 237
Emergency Towing...................... 241

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Compac
t Spar e Tir e
Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use this spare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired 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:6 0 ps i (42 0 kP a , 4. 2 kgf/cm 2
)

Follow thes
e 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 folding spare tire
is designed especially to fit your
car. Do not use your spare tire on
another car unless it is the same

make and model.
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 replacementshould 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

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the car on firm, level, non-slippery ground away from traffic.
Put the transmission in Park.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire. 3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of the trunk.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

TOO
L KI T

SPAR E TIR E
JAC
K

The car can easily roll off the

jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.

Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it

is supported only by the jack.

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
9. Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off the
ground.
10.Remove the wheel nuts and flat
tire. Temporarily place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface of the wheel facing up.
You could scratch the wheel if you put it face down. 11.Before mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully, it may be hot from
driving.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

EXTENSIO
N
WHEE L WRENC H BRAK
E HU B

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

15.Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.

Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
16.Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put itback on the bolt.
17.Secure the flat tire by screwing the wing bolt back into its hole. 18.Store the jack in its holder with
the end bracket facing to the right.
Turn the jack's end bracket to lock
it in place. Store the tool kit.
19.Store the wheel cover or centercap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

SPACE
R
CON E

WIN
G BOL T

Loose items can fly around the

interior in a crash and could

seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack and tools
securely before driving.

Emergenc
y Towin g

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.

There are three popular methods of
towing a vehicle:

Flat-bed Equipment — The operator

loads your car on the back of a truck.

Thi s is th e bes t wa y to transpor t

you r Acura .

Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Thi s is

a n acceptabl e wa y to to w you r

Acura .
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that end of the vehicle
off the ground. Your car's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged if this method of towing is
attempted.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.

5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.

Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine (automatic transmission), your

car must be transported with the front

wheels off the ground.
With the front wheels on the
ground, it is best to tow the car no
farther than 50 miles (80 km), and
keep the speed below 35 mph (55

km/h).

CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

DO
T Tir e Qualit y Gradin g (U.S . Cars )
Temperatur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-tion, or excessive loading either separately or in combination, can
cause heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

Technical Informatio n

Index

Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 84
Body Repair.................................... 217
Brakes

Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 142
Break-in, New Linings.............. 118

Fluid............................................ 179

Light, Burned-out...................... 204
Parking.......................................... 82
System Indicator................. 54, 234
Wear Indicators......................... 141
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 142
System Indicator................. 55, 144
Braking System.............................. 141
Break-in, New Car......................... 118 Brightness Control, Instruments... 62
Brights, Headlights......................... 61
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 207
Brake Lights............................... 204
Ceiling Light............................... 208
Front Parking Lights................. 203
Front Side Marker Lights......... 203
Headlights.................................. 202
High-mount Brake Light.......... 204
License Plate Lights.................. 207

Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 204

Specifications............................. 247

Spotlights.................................... 208

Trunk Light................................ 209

Turn Signal Lights..................... 203

Bulbs, Halogen............................... 202

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 227

Capacities Chart............................. 246
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 127
Cassette Player Care............................................. 114

Operation.................................... 111

CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii

CD Changer.................................... 107
CD Player........................................ 105
Certification Label......................... 244
Chains............................................. 197 Change Oil
How to......................................... 170

When to....................................... 158

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221 Changing Engine Coolant............. 172
Charging System Indicator... 54, 232
Checking
Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 178

Battery Condition...................... 186
Brake Fluid................................. 179 Clutch Fluid................................ 181
Drive Belts.................................. 191
Engine Coolant........................... 123

Engine Oil................................... 122
Fuses........................................... 237
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 179Power Steering Fluid................. 181
Checklist, Before Driving............. 132
Childproof Door Locks................... 73
Cleaner, Air.................................... 182

Cleaning
Exterior....................................... 212

Interior........................................ 214
Seat Belts.................................... 214

Vinyl............................................ 214
Windows..................................... 215

Clock, Setting the............................ 83

Clutch Fluid.................................... 181
CO in the Exhaust......................... 252