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. Seepage 259 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 154
Important Safety Precautions.. 155
Maintenance Schedule.................. 156
Maintenance Record..................... 163
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 165
Fluid Locations............................... 166
Engine Oil......................................
. 167
Adding Oil................................... 167
Recommended Oil..................... 167
Synthetic Oil............................... 169
Additives..................................... 169
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 170
Cooling System.............................. 172 Adding Engine Coolant............. 172Replacing Engine Coolant........ 174
Windshield Washers..................... 177
Transmission Fluid........................ 178 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 178
5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 179
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 179 Brake System............................. 180Clutch System............................
181
Power Steering..............................
. 181
Air Cleaner Element....................... 182 Hood Latch..................................... 183
Spark Plugs..................................... 183 Replacement............................... 183
Specifications............................. 185
Battery............................................ 186
Wiper Blades.................................. 188
Air Conditioning System............... 190
Drive Belts...................................... 191
Timing Belt..................................... 191
Tires................................................ 192 Inflation....................................... 192
Inspection...................................
194
Maintenance............................... 194
Tire Rotation.............................. 195 Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 195
Wheels and Tires....................... 196 Winter Driving........................... 196
Snow Tires.............................. 197
Tire Chains............................. 197
Lights.............................................. 198
Headlight Aiming.....................
. 200
Replacing Bulbs......................... 202
Storing Your Car............................ 210
Maintenance
Hoo
d Latch , Spar k Plug s
Hoo d Latc h
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot.
Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Acura dealer. Spar
k Plug s
The spark plugs in your vehicle are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Replacement
1. GS-R only: Remove the four nuts, then
remove the plug wire cover.
2. Clean up any dirt and oil around the spark plug caps.
3. Remove the spark plug cap by pulling it straight out.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
PIVOT
S
SPAR
K PLU G CA P
Spar
k Plug s
4. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) sparkplug socket.
5. Put the new spark plug into the socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it. 6. Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
13 lbf .
ft (18 N .
m,1.8 kgf .
m)
Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
7. Install the spark plug cap.
8. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs.
(GS-R)
Reinstall the plug wire cover, and tighten the four nuts.
Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E
Inde
x
Rear Window Defogger.................. 64
Reclining the Seat
Backs............... .
76
Recommended Shift Speeds........ 135
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 182
Coolant........................................ 174
Engine Oil and Filter................. 170
Fuses........................................... 237
Light Bulbs................................. 202
Schedule..................................... 156
Spark Plugs................................. 183
Timing Belt................................. 191
Tires............................................ 195
Wiper Blades.............................. 188
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 44
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 123
Restraint, Child................................ 21
Reverse Gear Position................... 137
Rotation, Tire................................. 195
Safety Belts......................................... 8
Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 258
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................ 9
Door Locks................................... 11
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information.. 42 Lap Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Seat Belts............................................ 8
Cleaning...................................... 214
Maintenance................................. 44
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 54
System Components.................... 42
Tether Attachment Points.......... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 75
Serial Number................................ 244
Service Intervals............................ 158
Service Manual*............................ 259
Service Station Procedures .......... 119
Setting the Clock............................. 83 Shifting
The Automatic Transmission.. 136
The 5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 134
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 136
Shift Lock Release......................... 139
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 203
Signaling Turns................................ 62
Snow Tires...................................... 197
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 212
Sound System................................... 98
Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 220
Specifications............................. 247
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 183
Specifications Charts..................... 246
Speed Control................................... 66
Speedometer....................................
57
SRS, Additiona
l Information........... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How the SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 47
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
CONTINUED