Maintenanc
e
This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. Seepage 271 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 160
Important Safety Precautions.. 161
Maintenance Schedule.................. 162
Maintenance Record..................... 169
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Fluid Locations............................... 172
Engine Oil....................................... 173 Adding Oil................................... 173
Recommended Oil..................... 173
Synthetic Oil............................... 175
Additives..................................... 175
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 175
Cooling System.............................. 178
Adding Engine Coolant............. 178Replacing Engine Coolant........ 180
Windshield Washers..................... 182
Transmission Fluid........................ 183 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 183
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 185
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 185 Brake System............................. 186Clutch System............................ 186
Power Steering............................... 187
Air Cleaner Element...................... 188
Hood Latch..................................... 189
Spark Plugs..................................... 189
Replacement............................... 189
Specifications............................. 191
Battery............................................ 191
Wiper Blades.................................. 194
Air Conditioning System............... 196
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Timing Belt..................................... 197
Tires................................................ 198
Inflation....................................... 198
Inspection................................... 199 Maintenance............................... 200
Tire Rotation.............................. 201
Tire Wear.................................... 201
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 202
Wheels and Tires....................... 203
Winter Driving........................... 203
Snow Tires.............................. 204
Tire Chains............................. 204
Lights.............................................. 205 Headlight Aiming...................... 207
Replacing Bulbs......................... 209
Storing Your Car............................ 216
Maintenance
Engin
e Oi l
Syntheti c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil:energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervalsgiven in the maintenance schedule. Additive
s
Your Acura does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Changin
g th e Oi l an d Filte r
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
Engin
e Oi l
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
OIL DRAI N BOL T
WASHER
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil into an appropriate container.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Acura dealer) is required to remove the
filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to
instructions that come with it.
Maintenanc e OI
L FILTE R
Engin
e Oi l
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:33 Ibf.ft (44 N.m , 4.5 kgf.m)
6. Refil
l the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
(SE,
LS,
GS)
4.0 US qt (3.8 ,3.3 Imp qt)
(GS-R,Type-R)
4.2 US qt (4.0 , 3.5 Imp qt)
7. Replac
e the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain boltand oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose ofthe used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E
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
Inde
x
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
Inde
x
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
Servic
e Informatio n Summar y
Gasoline :
(SE,
LS, GS) Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
(GS-R, Type-R)
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Fue l Tan k Capacity :13.2 US gal (50 ,11.0 Imp gal)
Recommende d Engin e Oil :
API Service SJ "Energy Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 173 ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
(SE,
LS,
GS) 4.0 US qt (3.8 , 3.3 Imp qt)
(GS-R, Type-R)
4.2 US qt (4.0 ,3.5 Imp qt) Automati
c Transmissio n Fluid :
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
a DEXRON ®
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page 184).
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Fluid :
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ, SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page 185).
Capacity (including differential):
(SE,
LS,
GS,
GS-R)
2.3 US qt (2.2 ,1.9lmpqt)
(Type-R)
2.2 US qt (2.1 ,1.8lmpqt)
Powe
r Steerin g Fluid :
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 187).
Brak e Fluid :
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 186).
Tir e Pressur e (measure d cold) :
(SE)
Front/Rear:
29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0 kgf/cm2)
(LS, GS, GS-R, Type-R)
Front:
35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Rear:
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm2)