The three way catalytic converter
contains platinum, palladium, and
rhodium. These metals serve as
catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables.A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective. Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly. Keep the engine tuned-up.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
276
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions. If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.
Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm,andholditthereuntilthe
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(about3minutes).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F.
CONT INUED
State Emissions T esting
T esting of Readiness Codes
Technical Inf ormation
277
µµ
µ
(
%
)
$
%
.
"
#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
284
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .181
................................
Accessories .181
............................
Modif ications .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .90
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
................
Adding Engine Coolant .221
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .219
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,23
...............
Additional Information .23
......................................
Servicing .32
...................
System Components .23
..............
Air Conditioning System .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .234
......................................
Antif reeze .221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61,201
...................................
Operation .201
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .90
................................
Audio System .127
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .86
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .21 .............
Automatic Speed Control .153
..............
Automatic Transmission .193
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .270
...............
Checking Fluid Level .223
.......................................
Shif ting .193
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .193
.......................................
Shif ting .193
....................
Shif t Lock Release .197
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60,256
............................
Jump Starting .252
..............................
Maintenance .240
............................
Specif ications .271
..............................
Bef ore Driving .175
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,20
...........................
Beverage Holder .115
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .201
.............
Break-in, New Linings .176
...........................................
Fluid .225
.......................................
Parking .112
.................
System Indicator .60,258 ........................
Wear Indicators .200
.............................
Braking System .200
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .176
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .85
........................
Brights, Headlights .84
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .230
.................................
Fog Lights .227
............................
Specif ications .271
............
Turn Signal Lights .228,229
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .227
............................
Capacities Chart .270
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .183
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .149
...................................
Operation .147
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .113
........................
Certif ication Label .268
...................................
Chains, tires .239
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .219
......................................
When to .209
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .245
...
Charging System Indicator .60,256
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .188
..................
Childproof Door Locks .94
.....................................
Child Saf ety .34
..............................
Booster Seats .50
...................................
Child Seats .42
..........................................
Inf ants .39
............................
Large Children .49
.........................................
LATCH .44
......................
Risks with Airbags .35
.............................
Small Children .40
.........................................
Tethers .47
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .35
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .232
...................................
Seat Belts .231
...............
Climate Control System .125
..............................................
Clock .112
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .53
.......................
Compact Spare tire .244
.................
Console Compartment .116
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .279 .............
Controls, Instruments and .57
Coolant
........................................
Adding .221
....................................
Checking .180
.........................
Proper Solution .221
...................
Temperature Gauge .66
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .274
................
Cruise Control Indicator .62
............
Cruise Control Operation .153
...................................
Cup Holders .115
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .280
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .4,58
............
Daytime Running Lights .84
Daytime Running Light
...................................
Indicator .63
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .282
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .87
..............
Def rosting the Windows .124
....................................
Dimensions .270
...............
Dimming the Headlights .84 Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..................................
Engine Oil .179
..........................
Directional Signals .84
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .200
.................................
Disc Changer .140
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .220
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .69
......................
Power Door Locks .92
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .272
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .187
....................................
Economy .180
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .103
..............................
Economy, Fuel .186
............
Emergencies on the Road .243
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .252
...........
Brake System Indicator .258
................
Changing a Flat Tire .245
.....
Charging System Indicator .256
Index
D
E
II
ÎCONT INUED
..................
Checking the Fuses .259
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .86
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .264
............................
Jump Starting .252
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .256
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .257
..................
Overheated Engine .254
.......................................
Towing .263
.........................
Emergency Brake .112
......................
Emergency Flashers .86
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .94
.......................
Emissions Controls .274
.............
Emissions Testing, State .277
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .66
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,257
.........................................
Oil Lif e .73
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .218
...............................
Overheating .254
............................
Specif ications .271
....................
Speed Limiter .191,197
.......................................
Starting .189
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .250 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .177
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .274
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .180
.........................................
Gasoline .176
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .64
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
................
Gas Station Procedures .177
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .177
........................................
Filter, Oil .219
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .86
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .245
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..........................................
Brake .225
.........................................
Clutch .225
..............
Manual Transmission .224
..........................
Power Steering .226
................
Windshield Washers .222
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .132
.....................................
Fog Lights .85..........................
Four-way Flashers .86
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
......................................
Front Seats .98
......................................
Adjusting .98
.......................................
Heaters .106
...................................
Airbags .11,23
.................................................
Fuel .176
......................
Fill Door and Cap .177
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .259
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
ÎÎÎÎ
Î
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature .66
...............................................
Fuel .66
...............................
Speedometer .66
.................................
Tachometer .66
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission .193
6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .190
......................................
Glove Box .116
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .227
..........
HandsFree Link (HFL) .80,160
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .86
........................................
Headlights .84
........................................
Aiming .227
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .86
.......
Daytime Running Lights .84
..................
High Beam Indicator .63
.........................
Reminder Chime .84
...................................
Turning on .84
..............................
Head Restraints .99
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .84 HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .156
.......................
Hood, Opening the .178
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .268
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .89
...........................................
Switch .90
............
Timing Control System .275
........................
Immobilizer System .91
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.........................................
Indicators .60
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) .61,201
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) .60,258
................
Charging System . 60,256
.............................
Cruise Control .62
DRL (Daytime Running ..................................
Lights) .63
...................................
Fog Light .64
...................................
High Beam .63
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 64
......................................
Low Fuel .64
................
Low Oil Pressure . 60,256 ...........................
Side Airbag Of f .61
.........................................
SRS .30, 61
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .63
............................
VSA Activation .62
.................................
VSA System .62
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .39
......................................
Inf ant Seats .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 47
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 235
.................................
Inside Mirror .101
.............................
Inspection, Tire .236
............................
Instrument Panel .59
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 85
...............................
Interior Lights .113
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 246
.......................................
Jack, Tire .245
................................
Jump Starting .252
Index
H I
J
IV
CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .89
...............
Keyless Memory Setting .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .268
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .84
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .20
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .227
.......................................
Indicator .60
.........................................
Parking .84
..................................
Turn Signal .84
.....................................
Load Limit .184
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .90
........................
Lockout Prevention .92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .90
..................................
Glove Box .116
.................................
Power Door .92
...........................................
Trunk .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .180
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .270 ...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .183
..................................
Maintenance .207
.....................................
Messages .73
........................................
Minder .209
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .212
........................................
Record .214
..........................................
Saf ety .208
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .60,257
...................
Manual Transmission .190
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
...........
Memory, Driving Position .103
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .182
.......................................
Moonroof .110
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .67
............................
Engine Oil Lif e .73
...........................
HandsFreeLink .80
.........
Keyless Memory Settings .76
.............
Maintenance Messages .73
.....................................
Odometer .71
.................
Outside Temperature .72 ............................
Trip Computer .75
...................................
Trip Meter .71
...................
Neutral Gear Position .194
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .176
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of. i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .268
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .176
.........................................
Odometer .71
...............................
Odometer, Trip .71
Oil ........................
Change, How to .219
......................
Change, When to .209
......................
Checking Engine .179
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,256
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .218
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .90
Index
K
L N
O
M
INDEX
V