This light has two f unctions: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 f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
1.
2.
292
288
289
290
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
55
U.S. Canada
Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .162
.........................................
Gasoline .162
.........
Service Station Procedures . 163
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 163
....................
Opening the Hood .164
...............................
Oil Check .165
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 167
...............................
Fuel Economy .168
............................
Car Condition .168
...........................
Driving Habits .168
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 169
.............................
Carrying Cargo .171
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving161
CONT INUED
If you can open the hood without
sliding the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
After closing the hood, make sure it
is securely latched. 1.
3.
233
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
165
D D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 4.
3.
2.
219
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
166
U UPPP
PE
ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
D
D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K
L
LOOW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .206
.
Important Safety Precautions . 207
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 208
...
Required Maintenance Record . 215
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 217
..............................
Fluid Locations .218
......................................
Engine Oil .219
..................................
Adding Oil .219
....................
Recommended Oil .219
..............................
Synthetic Oil .220
....................................
Additives .220
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 221
.............................
Cooling System .223
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 223
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 225
....................
Windshield Washers .229
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 230
....................................
Brake Fluid .231
............................
Brake System .231
..............................
Power Steering .232
....................................
Hood Latch .233
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .233
....................................
Spark Plugs .235
..............................
Replacement .235
............................
Specif ications .237
...........................................
Battery .238 .................................
Wiper Blades .241
..............
Air Conditioning System . 243
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 244
.....................................
Drive Belts .244
....................................
Timing Belt .245
...............................................
Tires .245
......................................
Inf lation .245
..................................
Inspection .247
..............................
Maintenance .248
.............................
Tire Rotation .248
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 249
......................
Wheels and Tires .250
..........................
Winter Driving .250
.............................
Snow Tires .251
............................
Tire Chains .251
.............................................
Lights .252
.....................
Headlight Aiming .254
........................
Replacing Bulbs .254
...........................
Storing Your Car .263
321
Maintenance
Maint enance205
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance206
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
µ
Ì
Ì
Ì
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you onlydrive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
210
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)45
72
36
60
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
30
48
24
15
24
12
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
: Adjust only if noisy
209
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
µµ
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ì
Ì
Ì
Maint enance211
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
A, B, C
A
B
C
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
6yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump.
Inspect valve clearance.
Check idle speed.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs. Replace transmission fluid, then replace every
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs. Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
248).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
210
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: :
209
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)