
Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re- quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions.
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli- cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 96 ).
CONTINUED
Drivin g

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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 122.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 123 , Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 177. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
178.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 179 . Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 192. Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light, turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 198.
Maintenance

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

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

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
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 248
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 118
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 214
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 171
Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 128
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 246
Vehicle Identification Number..... 244
Vehicle Storage.............................. 210
Ventilation......................................... 92
VIN..................................................244
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 214
Viscosity, Oil.................................. 169
Warning Beepers Headlights on............................... 61
Key in Ignition.............................. 71
Seat Belts...................................... 54
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 257 Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 177
Operation...................................... 63
Washing.......................................... 212
Waxing and Polishing................... 213
Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 65
Alignment and Balance............. 195 Compact Spare........................... 220
Wrench....................................... 222
Windows Cleaning...................................... 215
Operating the Power................... 79
Rear, Defogger............................ 64
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 63
Defroster...................................... 96
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 188
Operation...................................... 63
Worn Tires..................................... 194 Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 241 * : U.S. and Canada only