2000 Acura Integra service

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 isnot, 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 notavailable. 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

Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t
The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations in the maintenance schedule.
Cleanin g (Sever e Conditions )
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger'sside of the engine compartment. Replacemen
t
To replace it:
1. Loosen the three bolts and remove the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Lift up the old air cleaner element and pull it out of the duct.Carefully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp

rag.
3. Attach the new air cleaner
element to the duct. Make sure
the tab on the duct fits in the notch on the air cleaner element.
Install the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing correctly
placing the square part of the
flange on the element in the mating recess on the housing.
4. Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, and tighten the three bolts.

Maintenanc e
BOLT
S
AIR CLEANE R ELEMEN T

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

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

12.Put on the spare tire. Put the wheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully. 13.Lower the car to the ground and

remove the jack.
14.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
facility.

Tighten the wheel nuts to:
80 Ibf .
ft (108 N .
m , 11 kgf .
m)

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Chargin
g Syste m Indicato r
This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

CHARGIN
G SYSTE M INDICATO R

Brak
e Syste m Indicato r

The Brake System indicator light should normally come on only when
the parking brake is not fully

released.

If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car's
brake system. In most cases, the problem is a low fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on the brake pedal to see if it feelsnormal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 179). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake

pads.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedal go down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be much longer. Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 241.)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive slowly and cautiously.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATO R

BRAK E

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 )
The tires on your car meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature perform-ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The following explains these
gradings.
Unifor m Tir e Qualit y Gradin g
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:

Treadwea r 20 0
Tractio n A A
Temperatur e A
Treadwea
r

The treadwear grade is a compara- tive rating based on the wear rate ofthe tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Tractio
n

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.

Technica l Informatio n