Page 225 of 285

Interio
r Car e
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. Window
s
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass cleaner. You can also use a mixtureof one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires. When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.
Ai
r Freshener s
If you want to use an air freshener/ deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi- cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack ordiscolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it does not spill as you drive.
Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC
E
Page 226 of 285

Corrosio
n Protectio n
Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of thecar stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car from corroding
by performing some simple periodic
maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them. Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors and body. Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is especially important in areas that
use road salt in winter. It is also a
good idea in humid climates and areas subject to salt air. Cars
equipped with ABS have a sensor
and wiring at each wheel. Be
careful not to damage them. Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.
Appearance Car e
Page 227 of 285

Bod
y Repair s
Body repairs can affect your car's
resistance to corrosion. If your car
needs repairs after a collision, pay
close attention to the parts used in
the repair and the quality of the
work.
Make sure the repair facility uses
Genuine Acura replacement body
parts. Some companies make sheet metal pieces that seem to duplicate
the original Acura body parts, but are actually inferior in fit, finish, and
corrosion resistance. Once installed,
they do not give the same high-
quality appearance.
When reporting your collision to the
insurance company, tell them you
want Genuine Acura parts used in the repair. Although most insurers
recognize the quality of original
parts, some may try to specify that
the repairs be done with otheravailable parts. You should investi-
gate this before any repairs have
begun.
Take your car to your authorized
Acura dealer for inspection after the repairs are completed. Your dealercan make sure that quality materials
were used, and that corrosion- preventive coatings were applied toall repaired and replaced parts.
Appearanc e Car e
Page 228 of 285

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
Page 229 of 285

Compac
t Spar e Tir e
Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use this spare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back on your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm2)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Usegreater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to fit
your car. Do not use your spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
the same make and model.
Type-R model only
Do not drive with the compact spare tire mounted on the front
wheels for a long period; it will
damage the Limited Slip
Differential.
INDICATO
R LOCATIO N MAR K
The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
TREA
D WEA R INDICATO R BA R
Page 230 of 285

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
JAC
K
SPAR E TIR E
TOOL KI T
1. Park the car on firm, level and non-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual). Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. 2. Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
3. Open the hatch. Pull up the floor mat and remove the spare tire
cover.
4. Take the tool kit out of the spare tire well.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well.
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
Page 231 of 285
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
6. Turn the jack's end bracket counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack. 7. (Except Type-R)
Loosen the four wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench.
(Type-R)
Loosen the five wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench. 8. Find the jacking point nearest the
wheel you are removing. Place the
jack under the jacking point. Turn the end bracket clockwise until
the top of the jack contacts the
jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
JAC
K
WHEEL WRENC H
JACKIN
G POIN T
Page 232 of 285
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
9. Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off the
ground.
10. Remove the wheel nuts and flat
tire. Temporarily place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface of the wheel facing up.
You could scratch the wheel if you
put it face down.
11. Before mounting the spare tire,wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully, it may be hot from
driving.
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
EXTENSIO
N
WHEE L WRENC H
BRAKE HU B