Page 179 of 273
Coolin
g Syste m
10.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11.Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if needed.
12.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
13.Start the engine and let it run until the radiator fan comes on two
times. 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 the
reserve tank cap.
Maintenanc e
Page 180 of 273
Windshiel
d Washer s
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the left headlight.Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. Thisincreases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather. When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in thewindshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.
Maintenance
LEVE
L GAUG E
NOTICE
Page 181 of 273

Transmissio
n Flui d
Automati c Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe itwith a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON ®
III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However,
continued use can affect shift quality. Have the transmission
drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenanc e
DIPSTIC
K
UPPER MAR K
LOWE R MAR K
Page 184 of 273

Brak
e an d Clutc h Fluid , Powe r Steerin g
Clutc h Syste m
The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system inspected as soon as possible. Powe
r Steerin g
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement.However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in cold weather. Have the powersteering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E
MI
N MA
X UPPE
R LEVE L
LOWE R LEVE L
Page 193 of 273

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure theair conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure, spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 246.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenanc e
AI
R CONDITIONIN G
CONDENSE R
NOTICE NOTIC
E
Page 222 of 273

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
Page 229 of 273

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Your car has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 69 ).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer system indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or thestarter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be in Park or Neutral. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlightsare very dun or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 227. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim, check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergenc y Towin g on page 241 .)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 186 ). You can
then try jump starting the car from a booster battery (see page 227 ).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Page 230 of 273

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g
Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 133 . Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank. There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 237).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 241. Jum
p Startin g
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with an automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery
(see page 187). In very cold weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTIC
E