Break-i
n Period , Gasolin e
Break-i n Perio d
Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300
km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
interval shown in the maintenance
schedule.
You should follow these same re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasolin
e
Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car's emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system performance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact yourauthorized Acura dealer for service. (SE, LS and GS models)
Use an unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
(GS-R and Type-R models)
Use a premium unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane number of 91 or higher.
If you are unable to find premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice aslight decrease in power as a result.
Before Drivin g
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
Addin g Oi l
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommende
d Oi l
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Honda Motor Oil in
your vehicle for as long as you own it.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oil container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Acura. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as CD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVIC E LABE L
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
ENGIN
E OI L FIL L CA P
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