Page 6 of 285
You
r Ca r a t a Glanc e
CRUIS E CONTRO L
(P.
67 ) INSTRUMEN
T PANE L
BRIGHTNES S
(P .
63 ) HAZAR
D WARNIN G LIGHT S
(P . 65 ) REA
R WINDO W DEFOGGE R
(P .
65 )
MOONROO F
(P . 85 )
HEADLIGHTS/TUR N SIGNAL S
(P . 62 /63 )
TIL
T ADJUSTMEN T
(P . 66 ) HOR
N BUTTON S
WINDSHIEL D WIPERS/WASHER S
(P . 64 )
Page 54 of 285

Instrument
s an d Control s
This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 52
Indicator Lights................................ 53
Gauges.............................................. 58
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer.................................. 58
Odometer...................................... 58
Trip Meter.................................... 58
Fuel Gauge................................... 59
Temperature Gauge.................... 59 Maintenance Required
Indicator.................................... 60
Controls Near the Steering Wheel........................................ 61
Headlights....................................
62
Daytime Runnin
g Lights............. 62
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 63
Turn Signals................................. 63
Windshield Wipers...................... 64
Windshield Washers................... 64
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer...................................... 65
Hazard Warning........................... 65
Rear Window Defogger..............
65
Steering Whee
l Adjustment....... 66
Steering Wheel Controls................
67
Cruise Control.............................
.
67
Keys
an
d Locks................................
71
Keys...............................................
7
1Immobilizer System..................... 72
Ignition Switch............................. 73
Door Locks................................... 75
Power Door/Hatch Locks.......... 75
Hatch............................................. 76
Glove Box..................................... 78
Seat Adjustments............................. 79
Front Seat Adjustments.............. 79
Driver's Seat Height
Adjustment............................... 80
Driver's Lumbar Support............ 80
Rear Seat Access......................... 81
Head Restraints........................... 82
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Cargo Area Cover............................ 83
Power Windows............................... 84
Moonroof.......................................... 85
Mirrors.............................................. 86
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 86
Parking Brake..................................
87
Digital Clock....................................
. 88
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Console Compartment.................... 90
Cigarette Lighter............................. 90
Ashtrays............................................ 91
Interior Lights.................................. 92
Instrument s an d Control s
Page 60 of 285
Indicato
r Light s
Hig h Bea m Indicato r
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 62 for
information on the headlightcontrols.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 62 ).
Immobilize
r Syste m
Indicato r
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page 72 ).
This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Instruments an d Control s
Page 64 of 285
Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals, headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The controls on the dashboard to the right of the steering column are for
the instrument panel brightness,
hazard warning lights and rear
window defogger.
The moonroof switch and cruise control switch are to the left of the
steering column.
The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.
Instruments an d Control s
CRUIS
E
CONTRO L
INSTRUMEN
T PANE L
BRIGHTNES S HAZAR
D WARNIN G
LIGHT S REA
R WINDO W
DEFOGGE R
MOONROO F
HEADLIGHTS /
TUR N SIGNAL S HOR
N
BUTTON S
TIL T ADJUSTMEN T
WINDSHIEL
D
WIPERS/WASHER S
Page 65 of 285

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
Headlight s
The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights. Turning the switch to the
position turns on the headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder beeper when you open the driver's door.
To change between low beams and high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 57). To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlightswitch is in.
Daytim e Runnin g Light s
(Canadia n Models )
With the headlight switch off, the
high bea
m headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition off, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Instrument s an d Control s
Page 89 of 285
Moonroof
, Mirror s
If you try to open the moonroof in below-freezing temperatures, or whenit is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or motor.
Mirror
s
Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night positions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you.Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment switch on the driver's
door:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's
side).
Instrument s an d Control s
NOTIC
E
TAB
SELECTO
R SWITC H
Closing the moonroof on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure passengers are
clear of the moonroof before
closing it.
Page 152 of 285

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Rain, fog, and snow conditions require a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these
conditions. Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli- cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 100).
CONTINUED
Drivin g
Page 174 of 285
Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page 127. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 128. Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 182. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
183.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 185. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
198.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 205.
Maintenance