2003 Acura CL ABS

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II)
andreturnthewindshieldwipers
to their park position. Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
4. 5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
WiperBlades,AirConditioningSystem
Maint enance263
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Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Wheels:
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure you use an identical style
aluminum alloy wheel that originally
came on your Acura. Replacement
wheels are available at your Acura
dealer. The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the car.
Tire size and construction can af f ect
wheel speed and may cause the
system to work inconsistently. Tires:
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.328
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Premium model
Premium model
Type-S
Type-S
Winter Driving
Wheels and T ires
Tires
Maint enance271
16x61/2JJ
P205/60R16 91V 17x7JJ
P215/50R17 93V

Door light:
Pry on the top middle of the lens.
Ceiling light:
Pry on the f ront edge of the lens
near both sides.
Spotlights:
Pry on the front edge in front of
both spotlights.Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
2.
3.
Maint enance
Lights
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Open the trunk. Pull down the
trunk light cover.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
Push the cover back in place.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Maint enance
Lights
Replacing the T runk L ight Bulb
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Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the f loor coverings f or
dampness. Carpeting and f loor
mats may remain damp f or a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the f loor panels to corrode.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car f rom corroding
by perf orming some simple periodic
maintenance: Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is
especially important in areas that
useroadsaltinwinter.Itisalsoa
good idea in humid climates and
areas subject to salt air. Be careful
of the ABS wheel sensors and
wiring at each wheel.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the car. Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollows on the underside of the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
1.
2.
Corrosion Prot ect ion
Appearance Care291

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If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with this
indicator, have the car inspected by
your dealer immediately.
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. 252
320
On Type-S with A/T
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed312
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If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof , do the f ollowing:Check the f use f or the moonroof
motor (see page ). If the f use
is blown, replace it with one of the
same or lower rating.
Try closing the moonroof . If the
new f use blows immediately or the
moonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually. Insert the moonroof wrench into
the socket behind this plug. Turn
the wrench until the moonroof is
f ully closed.
Get the moonroof wrench out of
the tool kit in the trunk.
Remove the wrench. Reinstall the
round plug.
To remove the round plug in the
center of the headliner, turn the
plug by using a screwdriver or
coin, then pry it out. Make sure to
align the tabs on the round plug to
the notches on the ceilling as
shown in the illustration.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
318
Closing t he Moonroof
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed313
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All the electrical circuits in your car
have fuses to protect them from a
short circuit or overload. These
f uses are located in three f use boxes.
Theinteriorfuseboxesarelocated
on each side of the dashboard. To
open an interior f use box, open the
car door. Pull the bottom of the
cover open, then take it out of its
side hinges by pulling it toward you.The VSA f use box is located under
the interior f use box on the
passenger’s side of the dashboard.
To open it, push the tab and pull up
theleftsideof thecoverasshown.
The under-hood f use box is located
in the back of the engine compart-
ment on the passenger’s side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.
On Type-S with A/T
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed314
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