
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

Emission
s Control s
The burning of gasoline in your car's engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment. Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
form photochemical "smog." Carbon monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.
Th
e Clea n Ai r Ac t
The United States Clean Air Act* sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
work and what to do to maintain them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.Scheduled maintenance is on page
164.
* In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for
Emissions valid at the time they are
manufactured. Crankcas
e Emission s Contro l
Syste m
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps gasses that build up in the engine'scrankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase
Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporativ e Emission s Contro l
Syste m
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel tank, an evaporative emissionscontrol canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during driving.
Technica l Informatio n

Authorize
d Manual s
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14 days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
P.O
. BO X 0728 0 DETROIT , MICHIGA N 4820 7 1-800-782-436 6
Servic
e Manual :
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components.It is written for the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Electrica l Troubleshootin g Manual :
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for eachelectrical circuit in your vehicle.
Bod y Repai r Manual :
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.

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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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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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Oil Change, How to......................... 175
Change, When to....................... 164
Checking Engine....................... 127
Pressure Indicator.............. 55, 238
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 174
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 74
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 261
Operation in Foreign Countries... 259
Outside Mirrors............................... 86
Overheating, Engine..................... 236
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 258
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Paint Touch-up...............................219
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 141
Parking............................................ 144
Parking Brake.................................. 87
Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System..............................
261
Polishing an
d Waxing................... 219
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist.............
11
Pregnancy, Usin
g Seat Belts.......... 19
Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protecting Children......................... 21
Protecting Infants........................ 30
Protecting Larger Children........
38
Protecting Smal
l Children.......... 34
Using Child Seats with Tethers...................................... 41
Radiator Overheating.................... 236
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 102
Readiness Codes............................ 263
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 212
Rear Seat Access............................. 81
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 83
Rear View Mirror............................. 86
Rear Window Defogger.................. 65
Rear Window Washer..................... 65
Rear Window Wiper........................ 65
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 79 Recommended Shift Speeds........ 139
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 188
Coolant........................................ 180
Engine Oil and Filter................. 175
Fuses........................................... 243
Light Bulbs................................. 209
Schedule..................................... 164
Spark Plugs................................. 189
Timing Belt................................. 197
Tires............................................ 202
Wiper Blades.............................. 194
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 43
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 178
Restraint, Child................................ 21
Reverse Gear Position................... 141
Rotation, Tire................................. 201
Safety Belts...................................8, 42
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................9
Door Locks................................... 10

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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

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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