2001 Acura Integra Owner's Manual

Light
s

8. Reset each fastener by pushing on the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Reinstall the cover. Secure each fastener by pushing on the center
until it locks (the center is flush
with the head). Replacin
g a Rea r Licens e Plat e
Bul b
1. Remove the two screws and remove the license plate light
assembly.

2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
4. Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is

working.

5. Reinstall the license light assem-
bly. Install the two screws and

tighten them securely.

Maintenanc e

Light
s

Replacin g Ceiling , Spo t an d Carg o
Are a Ligh t Bulb s
The ceiling, spot and cargo area lights come apart the same way.
They do not use the same type of bulb.
1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens witha fingernail file or a small flat-tipscrewdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the

lens.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place. LS, GS and GS-R models

Maintenance

SPOTLIGHT
S

CARG
O ARE A LIGH T
CEILIN G LIGH T

Storin
g You r Ca r
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 175). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors). Disconnect the battery.
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the

windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and hatch seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton. Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 164). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenanc e

Appearanc
e Car e
Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Acura helps to keep it "new" looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can do to help prevent corrosion. Exterior Care.................................. 218
Washing...................................... 218
Power Antenna Cleaning.......... 218
Waxing........................................ 219
Aluminum Wheels..................... 219 Paint Touch-up........................... 219
Interior Care................................... 220 Carpeting.................................... 220
Floor Mats.................................. 220
Fabric.......................................... 221
Vinyl............................................ 221
Leather........................................ 221
Seat Belts.................................... 221
Windows..................................... 222
Air Fresheners........................... 222
Corrosion Protection..................... 223
Body Repairs.................................. 224

Appearance Car e

Exterio
r Car e
Washin g
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners

can damage the paint, metal, and

plastic on your car.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing. Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth. Start at the top and work your waydown. Rinse frequently. Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the car does not need waxing. When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the car, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 219).
Powe r Antenn a Cleanin g
Twice a year, clean the antenna mast with a dry cloth and mild detergent. Scrub the antenna in upward strokes
to avoid bending it. Rinse with water.
Make sure the antenna works smoothly by turning the stereo off
and on several times with the
ignition switch ON (II). The antenna does not need lubricating.
If you use a "drive-through" car wash,
make sure you turn the stereo off
first. This retracts the antenna to
prevent damage from the car wash

brushes.

Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC
E

Exterio
r Car e

Waxin g
Always wash and dry the whole car before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surface in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish andprotects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You should use a wax on your Acura
when it is new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Acura if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax. Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not

need waxing.

Aluminu m Wheel s

On some models

Clean your Acura's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the same
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels. Pain
t Touch-u p
Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on thedriver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chipsor scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips and scratches. More extensive paint damage should be repaired by a
professional.
Appearance Car e

Interio
r Car e
Carpetin g
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the market. Follow the instructions thatcome with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep the carpeting as dry as possible bynot adding water to the foam. Floo
r Mat s
The Genuine Acura driver's floor mat that came with your car wasdesigned to be hooked over the floor
mat anchor. This keeps the floor mat
from sliding forward and possibly interfering with the pedals. If you remove the floor mat, make
sure to re-anchor it when you put it
back in your car.
If you replace it, use a genuine Acura
floor mat that is designed to be used
with the floor mat anchor in your car.
If you use a non-Acura floor mat in
the driver's footwell, make sure it
fits properly and that it can be used
with the floor mat anchor.
Do not put additional floor mats on
top of the anchored mat, otherwise
the additional mats may slide
forward and interfere with the pedals.

Appearanc e Car e

Interio
r Car e
Fabri c
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soapand lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first, to make sure it does not bleachor stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the
cleaner.

Viny l
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water. Use the samesolution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners. Leathe
r

On some models

Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently. Pay particularattention to the pleats and seams.Clean the leather with a soft cloth
dampened with clear water, then
buff it with a clean, dry cloth. If
further cleaning is needed, use a soap specifically for leather, such as
saddle soap. Apply this soap with a
damp, soft cloth. Wipe down and
buff as described above. Sea
t Belt s

LOO P

If your seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye, or cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air- dry before you use the car.
CONTINUED

Appearanc e Car e