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
Indicato
r Light s
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car. Lo
w Fue l Indicato r
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.
Seat Bel t Reminde r Ligh t
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is areminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition. Parkin
g Brak e
an d Brak e
Syste m
Indicato r
This light has two functions:
1. This indicator comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not fully released can damage the brakes and tires.
2. If the indicator remains lit after you have fully released theparking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page 241.
Instrument s an d Control s
Canad
a
U.S
.
BRAK E
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
Mirrors
, Parkin g Brak e
3. Push the appropriate edge of the adjustment switch to move the
mirror right, left, up or down.
4. When you finish, move the selector switch to the center (off)
position. This turns off the adjustment switch so you can't
move a mirror out of position by accidentally bumping the switch. Parkin
g Brak e
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up fully. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake light on
the instrument panel should go out
when the parking brake is fully released (see page 54 ). Driving the car with the parking brake
applied can damage the rear brakes
and axles.
Instrument s an d Control s
PARKIN
G BRAK E LEVE R
ADJUSTMEN
T
SWITC H
NOTIC
E
Servic
e Statio n Procedure s
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page 240).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches. Openin
g th e Hoo d
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hoodrelease handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly. 2. Standing in front of the car, put
your fingers under the front edge
of the hood to the left of center.
Slide your hand to the right until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle to the right until
it releases the hood. Lift the hood.
CONTINUED
Befor e Drivin g
HOO
D RELEAS E HANDL E
LATC
H
Drivin
g
This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes important information on parking
your car, the braking system, and facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer. Preparing to Drive......................... 136
Starting the Engine........................ 137
Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude..................... 137
5-speed Manual Transmission..... 138 Recommended Shift Points...... 139
Engine Speed Limiter............... 139
Automatic Transmission............... 140 Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Engine Speed Limiter............... 142
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Parking............................................ 144
The Braking System...................... 145
Brake Wear Indicators.............. 145
Brake System Design................ 146
Anti-lock Brakes........................ 146 Important SafetyReminders.......................... 147
ABS Indicator......................... 148
Limited Slip Differential............... 148
Driving in Bad Weather................ 149
Towing a Trailer............................ 151
Driving
Startin
g th e Engin e
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the enginedoes not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more tha
n 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again. 5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.
6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return tostep 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.
Startin g in Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitud e (Abov e 8,00 0 feet /
2,40 0 meters )
An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found athigh altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery.
2. Push the accelerator pedal half- way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do nothold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths out.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the enginedoes not start, return to step 2.
Driving
Automati
c Transmissio n
Shif t Loc k Releas e
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normalmethod of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the edge of the cover. 4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on theshift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to Neutral. 6. Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then reinstall
the cover.
Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.
Driving
RELEAS
E BUTTO N
SHIF T LOC K
RELEAS E SLO T