
Engin
e Oi l
Addin g Oi l
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommende
d Oi l
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Honda Motor Oil in
your vehicle for as long as you own it.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oil container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Acura. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as CD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVIC E LABE L
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
ENGIN
E OI L FIL L CA P

Engin
e Oi l
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:33 Ibf.ft (44 N.m , 4.5 kgf.m)
6. Refil
l the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
(SE,
LS,
GS)
4.0 US qt (3.8 ,3.3 Imp qt)
(GS-R,Type-R)
4.2 US qt (4.0 , 3.5 Imp qt)
7. Replac
e the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain boltand oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose ofthe used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E

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 Honda Manual Transmis-sion 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
SAE10W-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 not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as it is
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 recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
FILLE
R BOL T
Correc
t leve l

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m
Optional for Canadian Type-R model
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 the
air 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 asteady 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 254.)
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
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E
AI
R CONDITIONIN G
CONDENSE R

Light
s
Replacin g a Headligh t Bul b
Your car has two bulbs on each side, four in total. Make sure you arereplacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handleit by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass, clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
If you need to change the high
beam headlight bulb on the
passenger's side, remove the
radiator reserve tank by pulling it straight up.
2. To disconnect the bulb from the electrical harness, push on the end
of the lock tab to release the
connector then push the connec-
tor straight down. 3. Turn the bulb about one-eighth
turn counterclockwise to unlock it
from the headlight assembly.
4. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its recess.
5. Align the tabs on the new bulb with the slots in the headlightassembly and push it into place.
6. Turn the bulb clockwise to lock it in place. Do not force it. Check theseating of the bulb's tabs in the
slots if the bulb will not return to
its original position.
7. Reinstall the harness connector on the bulb connector. Make sure it
locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Passenger's side) Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 226
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 231 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 232
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 233
Jump Starting................................. 233 If Your Engine Overheats............. 236
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 238Charging System Indicator........... 239
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 240
Brake System Indicator................ 241 Closing the Moonroof................... 242
Fuses............................................... 243 Checking and Replacing........... 244
Emergency Towing....................... 248
Takin g Care o f th e Unexpecte d

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 127). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 173). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 248.)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
LO
W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
NOTIC
E

Inde
x
Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131
Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175
Airbag (SRS)............................... 9, 45Ai
r Cleane
r Element...................... 188
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 196Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 198
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 258
Antifreeze....................................... 178 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator................................ 55
, 148
Operation.................................... 14
6
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 74
Appearance Care........................... 217
Ashtrays............................................ 91
Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140
Capacity, Fluid........................... 255
Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55,
239
Jump Starting............................
. 233
Maintenance............................... 191
Specifications............................. 255
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat.................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 224
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146
Break-in, New Linings.............. 123
Bulb Replacement..................... 212
Fluid............................................ 185
Parking.......................................... 87
System Indicator................. 54,
241
Wear Indicators........................
. 145
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63
Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 212
Brake Lights............................... 212 Cargo Area Light....................... 215
Ceiling Light............................... 215
Front Parking Lights................. 210
Front Side Marker Lights......... 210
Headlights.................................. 209
High-mount Brake Light.......... 211
License Plate Light.................... 214
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 212
Specifications............................. 255
Spotlights.................................... 215
Turn Signal Lights..................... 210
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 209
CONTINUED