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
Inde
x
Accessories and Modifications.... 125 Accessories................................. 125
Additional Safety Precaution.... 126 Modifications............................. 126
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 71
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 178
Brake Fluid................................. 179 Clutch Fluid................................ 181
Engine Coolant........................... 172
Engine Oil................................... 167
Manual Transmission Fluid..... 179
Power Steering Fluid................. 181
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 177
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42 Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About
Your SRS................................... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
SRS Components......................... 45
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 169
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 200
Head Restraints........................... 76
Mirrors.......................................... 81
Seats.............................................. 76
Steering Wheel............................ 65
Airbag (SRS)...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 182
Air Conditioning............................... 90 Maintenance............................... 190
Usage............................................. 90
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 92
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 192
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 250
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 213 Antifreeze....................................... 172
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light.................... 55, 144 Operation.................................... 142
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 71
Appearance Care........................... 211
Ashtrays............................................ 86
Audio System................................... 98
Automatic Speed Control................ 66 Automatic Transmission............... 136
Capacity, Fluid........................... 247
Checking Fluid Level................ 178
Shifting........................................ 136
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 136
Shift Lever Positions................. 136
Shift Lock Release..................... 139
Battery Charging System Indicator........................... 54, 232
Jump Starting............................. 227
Maintenance............................... 186
Specifications............................. 247
Before Driving............................... 117
CONTINUED
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
Inde
x
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 133 Compact Spare............................... 220
Console Compartment.................... 85
Consumer Information *................ 256
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 172
Checking..................................... 123
Proper Solution.......................... 172
Replacing.................................... 174
Temperature Gauge.................... 58
Corrosion Protection..................... 216
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 252
Cruise Control Operation............... 66 Customer Relations Office........... 256
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 52 Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 258
Defog and Defrost........................... 96
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 96 DEXRON
®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 178
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 178
Engine Oil................................... 122
Directional Signals........................... 62
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 141
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 171 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 72
Open Indicator............................. 55
Power Door Locks....................... 72
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 248
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 134
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5 Drive Belts...................................... 191
Driving............................................ 131 Economy.....................................
124
In Ba
d Weather..........................
145
In Foreig
n Countries................. 251
Economy, Fuel............................... 124
Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234
Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator ...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235 Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emissions Controls........................ 252
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 55, 233
Oil Pressure Indicator........ 54, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 167
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Speed Limit........................ 135, 138
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 250
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 252 Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.........................................19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 212
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 214
Fan, Interior...................................... 90
Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 89
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 119
Filters
Air................................................ 182
Oil................................................ 170
5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 179
Shifting the................................. 134
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 64
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 221
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 178
Brake........................................... 179Clutch.......................................... 181 Manual Transmission............... 179
Power Steering........................... 181
Windshield Washer................... 177
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 77
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 251
Four-way Flashers........................... 64
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 241
Fuel.................................................. 118
Fill Door and Cap....................... 119Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 118
Oxygenated................................ 250
Reserve Indicator......................... 55
Tank, Filling the......................... 119
Fuses, Checking the...................... 237
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 124
Gasohol........................................... 250Gasoline.......................................... 118
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 55Gauge............................................ 58 Octane Requirement................. 118
Tank, Filling the......................... 119
Gas Station Procedures................. 119
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature.... 58
Fuel................................................ 58
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 59
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 136
5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 135
Glass Cleaning............................... 215
Glove Box......................................... 75
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 202
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 64
Headlights
Aiming......................................... 200
High Beam Indicator................... 56
High Beams, Turning on............ 61
Low Beams, Turning on............. 61
Reminder Chime.......................... 61
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 202
Inde
x
Turning on.................................... 61
Head Restraints............................... 77
Heating and Cooling........................ 90
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 133
High-Low Beam Switch.................. 61
High-mount Brake Light............... 204
Hood Latch..................................... 183
Hood, Opening the........................ 120
Horn................................................... 60
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 172
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 181
Hydroplaning.................................. 146
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 244If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 241
Ignition Keys............................................... 69
Switch............................................ 69
Immobilizer System......................... 69 Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 53
Infant Restraint................................ 29
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 192 Jacking up the Car......................... 222
Jack, Tire........................................ 221
Jump Starting................................. 227
Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 202
Indicator........................................ 53
Parking.......................................... 61
Turn Signal................................... 62
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 71
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 71
Fuel Fill Door............................. 119
Glove Box..................................... 75
Power Door.................................. 72
Trunk............................................ 73
Low Coolant Level......................... 123
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 55
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 134
Low Oil Pressure Indicator... 54, 231
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 246
Luggage.......................................... 127
Maintenance................................... 153 Owner Maintenance Checks.... 165
Record................................. 163-164
CONTINUED
Inside Mirror.................................... 81
Inspection, Tire.............................. 192
Instrument Panel............................. 52
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 62
Interior Cleaning............................ 214
Interior Light.................................... 87
Introduction......................................... i
Keys................................................... 69
Label, Certification........................ 244
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 62
Lap Belt............................................. 43
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 42
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 49
Leather, Cleaning.......................... 214
Inde
x
Maintenance
Required Indicator....................... 59
Safety........................................... 154
Schedule.............................. 156-162
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp. 55, 233
Manual
Transmission.................... 134
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 179 Meters, Gauges................................ 57
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 250Mirrors,
Adjusting........................... 81
Moonroof.......................................... 80
Closing Manually....................... 235
Operation...................................... 80
Neutral Gear Position.................... 137
New Vehicle Break-in................... 118
Normal
Shift Speeds...................... 135
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 244
Octane
Requirement, Gasoline.... 118
Odometer.......................................... 57
Odometer, Trip................................ 57
Oil
Change, How to......................... 170
Change, When to....................... 158
Checking Engine.......................
122
Pressure Indicator.............. 54, 231
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 169
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 71
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery..................................... 252
Opening the Hood......................... 120
Opening the Trunk.......................... 73
Operation in Foreign Countries... 251
Outside
Mirrors............................... 81
Overheating, Engine..................... 229
Park Gear Position......................... 137
Parking............................................ 140
Parking Brake.................................. 82
Parking Lights.................................. 61
Parking Over Things that Burn... 254
PGM-FI
System.............................. 253
Polishing and Waxing................... 213
Power
Doo
r Locks................................... 72
Mirrors.......................................... 81
Steering.......................................
181
Windows....................................... 79
Pre-Drive
Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19
Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional
Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protectin
g Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 29
Protecting Larger Children........ 37 Protecting Small Children.......... 33
Using
Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 40
Radiator Overheating.................... 229
Radio/Cassett
e Sound System....... 98
Rear End Towing........................... 241
Rear
Lights, Bulb Replacement... 204
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 77
Rear View Mirror............................. 81