Driv
e Belts , Timin g Bel t
Driv e Belt s
Check the condition of the two or
three drive belts. Examine the edges of each belt for cracks or fraying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the following
"play" or deflection.
Alternator belt:
0.35 — 0.43 in (9.0 — 11.0 mm)
Power steering belt:
0.45 — 0.53 in (11.5 — 13.5 mm)
Compressor belt (On cars with A/C):
0.30 — 0.37 in (7.5 — 9.5 mm)
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Timin
g Bel t
The timing belt should normally be replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions: In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C). In very low temperatures
(under — 20°F, — 29°C).
Maintenance
COMPRESSO
R BEL T POWE
R
STEERIN G
BEL T
ALTERNATO
R BEL T
Tire
s
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s
The tires that came with your car were selected to match the perform- ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long life.
You should replace them with radial tires of the same size, load range,speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce its braking ability, traction, andsteering accuracy. It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire canseriously affect your car's handling. The ABS works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally supplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can affect wheel speed
and may cause the system to work
inconsistently.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel's specifications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Acura
dealer.
Maintenanc e
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and stability. This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.
Emergenc
y Towin g
If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I)so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and anyelectrical accessories are turned off
so they do not run down the battery.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freely before you begin towing. Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
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
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Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149
In Foreign Countries................. 259
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 225 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 233
Brake System Indicator............ 241
Changing a Flat Tire................. 227
Charging System Indicator...... 239
Checking the Fuses................... 244
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 238
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 240
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 242 Overheated Engine................... 236
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 248
Emissions Controls........................ 260 Emissions Testing, State.............. 263
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 197
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 240
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 238
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 236
Specifications............................. 254
Starting........................................ 137
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 258
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 260
Exhaust Fumes................................
49
Expectant Mothers
, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 218
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 221
Fan, Interior...................................... 94
Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 188
Oil................................................ 175
5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 185
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 227
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183Brake........................................... 185
Clutch.......................................... 185
Manual Transmission............... 185
Power Steering........................... 187
Windshield Washer................... 182
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 259
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
CONTINUED
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Jacking up the Car......................... 228
Jack, Tire........................................ 228
Jump Starting................................. 233
Keys................................................... 71
Label, Certification........................ 252Lane Change, Signaling.................. 63
Lap/Shoulder Belts.................. 16, 42
Leather, Cleaning.........................
. 221
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 90
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 209
Indicator........................................ 53
Parking.......................................... 62
Turn Signal................................... 63
Limited Slip Differential............... 148
Load Limit...................................... 133 LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 74
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 74
Fuel Fill Door............................. 124Glove Box..................................... 78
Hatch............................................. 76
Power Door and Hatch............... 75
Low Coolant Level......................... 128
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138 Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 54
Low Oil Pressure Indicator... 55,
238
Lubricant Specification
s
Chart................................... 254, 255
Luggage.......................................... 132 Maintenance................................... 159
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171
Record.................................. 169-170
Required Indicator....................... 60
Schedule.............................. 164-168
Malfunction Indicator Lamp. 55, 240
Manual Transmission.................... 138
Manual Transmission Fluid......... 185
Meters, Gauges................................ 58
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 258
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 86
Moonroof.......................................... 85
Closing Manually....................... 242
Operation...................................... 85
Neutral Gear Position.................... 141 New Vehicle Break-in................... 123
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 139
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 252
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 123
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 58
CONTINUED
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Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii Seat Belts..................................... 8, 42 Additional Information................ 42
Cleaning...................................... 221
Lap/Shoulder Belt................ 16,
42
Maintenance................................. 4
3
Reminder Light and Beeper................................ 42,
54
System Components...................
. 42
Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 16
Seats, Adjusting the................... 13, 79
Serial Number................................ 252
Service Intervals............................ 164
Service Manual*............................ 271 Service Station Procedures.......... 124
Setting the Clock............................. 88
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 140
Shift Lock Release......................... 143Shifting The Automatic Transmission.. 140 The 5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 138
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 210
Signaling Turns................................ 63
Snow Tires...................................... 204
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 218
Sound System................................. 102
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 226
Specifications............................. 255
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 189
Specifications Charts..................... 254
Speed Control................................... 67
Speedometer.................................... 58
Spotlights.......................................... 92
SRS, Additional Information........... 45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
SRS Components......................... 45 SRS Service................................... 47
SRS Indicator............................. 47, 55
Stat
e Emission
s Testing............... 263
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 74 Starting the Engine........................ 137
In Cold Weather at High
Altitude................................... 137
With a Dead Battery................. 233
Steam Coming from Engine......... 236
Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 66
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 74
Stereo Sound System.................... 102
Storing Your Car............................ 216
Supplemental Restraint
System.................................. 9, 45
Servicing....................................... 47
SRS Indicator.......................... 47, 55
Synthetic Oil................................... 175
Tachometer...................................... 58
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 212
Taking Care of the Unexpected................................ 225
Tape Player..................................... 115
CONTINUED
Inde
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Technical Descriptions................. 251 Emissions Control Systems...... 260Oxygenated Fuels...................... 258
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 262
Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Anchorage Points............... 41
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 262
Time, Setting the............................. 88
Timing Belt..................................... 197
Tire Chains..................................... 204
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 227
Tires................................................ 198 Air Pressure............................... 198Checking Wear.......................... 199
Compact Spare........................... 226
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 256
Inflation....................................... 198
Inspection................................... 199
Maintenance............................... 200
Replacing.................................... 202
Rotating....................................... 201
Snow............................................ 204
Specifications............................. 255
Tire Chains................................. 204
Winter Driving........................... 203 Tools, Tire Changing.................... 227
Towing
A Trailer...................................... 151
Emergency................................. 248
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 183
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 185
Fluid Selection.................. 184,
185
Identification Number..............
. 253
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138
Treadwear...................................... 256
Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63
Underside, Cleaning...................... 223
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 225
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 256
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 220
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 177 Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 254
Vehicle Identification Number..... 252
Vehicle Storage.............................. 216
Ventilation......................................... 97
VIN 252
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 221
Viscosity, Oil................................... 174
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 268
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 182
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 218
Waxing and Polishing................... 219
Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 66
Alignment and Balance............. 200
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 219