µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights. Check your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ).
128 133
Visibility
Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving195
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 204
.
Important Safety Precautions . 205
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 206
...
Required Maintenance Record . 213
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 215
..............................
Fluid Locations . 216
......................................
Engine Oil . 217
..................................
Adding Oil . 217
....................
Recommended Oil . 217
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 218
....................................
Additives . 218
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 219
.............................
Cooling System . 221
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 221
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 223
....................
Windshield Washers . 227
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 228
....................................
Brake Fluid . 229
............................
Brake System . 229
..............................
Power Steering . 230
....................................
Hood Latch . 231
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 231
....................................
Spark Plugs . 233
..............................
Replacement . 233
............................
Specif ications . 235
...........................................
Battery . 236.................................
Wiper Blades . 239
..............
Air Conditioning System . 241
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 242
.....................................
Drive Belts . 242
....................................
Timing Belt . 243
...............................................
Tires . 243
......................................
Inf lation . 243
..................................
Inspection . 245
..............................
Maintenance . 246
.............................
Tire Rotation . 246
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 247
......................
Wheels and Tires . 248
..........................
Winter Driving . 248
.............................
Snow Tires . 249
............................
Tire Chains . 249
.............................................
Lights . 250
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 252
...........................
Storing Your Car . 261
315
Maintenance
Maint enance203
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
When you ref ill 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.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the passenger’s side
headlight.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
). Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
59
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Canadian Models
227
L LE
E V
V E
EL
L G
GAAU
UG GEE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.
µ
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
To replace the blade: Turn the ignition ON (II), switch
the wipers to INT or (low
position), then turn the ignition
OFF when the wiper arm is
approximately midway in its travel. Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance239
W WIIPP E
ER
R A
AR
RMM S
S L
LO
OC CKK
T
T A
A B
B
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II)
and return the windshield wipers
to their park position. Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
4. 5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance240
B BL
LAA D
DE
E B
BLLAA D
DE
E
R
RE EI
INNF FOOR RCCEEM
M E
EN
NT T
CONT INUED
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor....................................
Recovery . 306
........................
Opening the Hood . 162
.........................
Opening the Trunk . 86
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 305
............................
Outside Mirrors . 101
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 62
....................
Overheating, Engine . 282
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 215
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 304
..............................
Paint Touch-up . 265
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 67
........................
Park Gear Position . 178
...........................................
Parking . 184
...............................
Parking Brake . 110
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 55, 287
.................................
Parking Lights . 65
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 308
.............................
PGM-FI System . 307
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 265
Power
..................................
Door Locks . 81.......................................
Mirrors . 101
...............................
Seat Controls . 94
......................................
Steering . 230
....................................
Windows . 107
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children . 20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 28
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39
...................
Radiator Overheating . 282
...
Radio/Cassette Sound System . 135
..........
Rear Console Compartment . 88
..........................
Rear End Towing . 295
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 256
............................
Rear Seat Access . 97
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest . 99
..........................
Rear View Mirror . 101.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 95
.............................
Reminder Lights . 53
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 82
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 231
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 242
..........................
Engine Coolant . 223
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 219
..........................................
Fuses . 290
................................
Light Bulbs . 252
....................................
Schedule . 206
................................
Spark Plugs . 233
...........................................
Tires . 247
.............................
Wiper Blades . 239
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash . 42
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 165
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 178
.....................................
Road Lamps . 65
................................
Rotation, Tire . 246
Index
R
P
VII
ÎÎ
.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 269
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 271
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 302
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 160
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 267
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 220
................................
Vanity Mirror . 116
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 170
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 300
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 298
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System . 191
........
VSA System Indicator . 57, 192
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 57, 191
.........................
VSA Of f Switch . 192
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 261
.....................................
Ventilation . 122
.................................................
VIN . 298
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning . 267
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 218Warning Beepers
..............................
Headlights on . 65
.............................
Key in Ignition . 80
...............................
Seat Belts . 40, 54
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 50
..................
Warranty Coverages . 312
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 227
.....................................
Operation . 69
.........................................
Washing . 264
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 265
Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 71
............
Alignment and Balance . 246
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 265
..........................
Compact Spare . 272
......................................
Wrench . 274
Windows .....................................
Cleaning . 268
................
Operating the Power . 107
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 70
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning . 68...........................
Def roster . 128, 133
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 239
.....................................
Operation . 68
....................................
Wood Trim . 268
....................................
Worn Tires . 245
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 295
U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
V U
X