This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
The needle returns to the
bottom after you turn off the
ignition.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, such as
very hot weather or a long period of
uphill driving, the pointer may rise to
the upper zone. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. See page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
321
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
68
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
U.S. Model is shown. INFO KNOB
SELECT/RESET KNOB
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ). Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel and the
messages in the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages and ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
pages and ).
3. 2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10. 17
145 146
124 61 76
139
138
Preparing to Drive
240
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Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, increases wear, and reduces
their ef f ectiveness. It also keeps
your brake lights on all the time,
conf using drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Braking System
Braking System Design Brake Wear Indicators
252
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If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .264
....................
Maintenance Minder .266
....................
Maintenance Record .275
..............................
Fluid Locations .277
........................
Adding Engine Oil .278
.......
Recommended Engine Oil .278
..............................
Synthetic Oil .279
................
Engine Oil Additives .279
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .280
....................
Windshield Washers .282
..............................
Engine Coolant .283
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 283
.......................
Transmission Fluid .285
Automatic .........................
Transmission .285
Manual .........................
Transmission .287
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 288
................................
Brake Fluid .288
...............................
Clutch Fluid .289
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 289
.............................................
Lights .291
.......................................
Seat Belts .299
.....................................
Floor Mats .299
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 300
.................................
Wiper Blades .301 ...............................................
Tires .303
..................
Inf lation Guidelines . 303
...
Recomended Tire Pressures . 304
..........................
Tire Inspection .305
.....................
Tire Maintenance .305
.............................
Tire Rotation .306
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 306
Wheel and Tire ........................
Specif ications .307
..........................
Winter Driving .307
.............................
Snow Tires .307
............................
Tire Chains .308
...................
Checking the Battery . 309
.............................
Vehicle Storage .310
353
Maintenance
Maint enance
263
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̵
µµ
µ µ
µ
µ
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed at the recommended time
or mileage period to ensure long-
term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See pages
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Acura
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. 232
232
285 286 288
303
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
273
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When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound or series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
are OK, there is probably something
wrong with the electrical circuit f or
the ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied technician
to determine the problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery connections (see page ).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page ).
319 328
319 309
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
317
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The interior f use box is on the
driver’s lower lef t side. To remove
the f use box lid, pull it toward you
and take it out of its hinges.The under-hood f use box is located
near the back of the engine compart-
ment on the driver’s side. To open it,
pushthetabsasshown.If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
and , or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that component. Check those
f uses f irst, but check all the f uses
bef ore deciding that a blown f use is
not the cause. Replace any blown
f uses and check if the device works.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
1.
2. 333 334
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
330
INTERIOR
UNDER-HOOD
NOTCH TAB
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .234
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .127
.............
Accessory Power Socket .156
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .279
.....................
Adjusting the Sound .175
......
Adjust Outside Temp. Display .95
...................................
Airbag (SRS) .11
..........
Airbag System Components .25
............................
Air Conditioning .160
.........................................
Usage .162
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .304
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .228
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .66,253
.......................................
Message .82
...................................
Operation .253
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .201
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .127
................................
Audio System .170
................
Automatic Lighting Off .121
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensionners .23 ..............
Automatic Transmission .244
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .338
...............
Checking Fluid Level .285
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode .246
.......................................
Shif ting .244
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .244
................
Shif t Lever Positions .244
....................
Shif t Lock Release .249
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .184
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,324
.......................................
Message .83
............................
Jump Starting .319
..............................
Maintenance .309
............................
Specif ications .339
..............................
Bef ore Driving .227
........................................
Belts, Seat .10
.........................
Beverage Holders .156
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .253
.............
Break-in, New Linings .228 ....................
Bulb Replacement .295
...........................................
Fluid .288
.......................................
Parking .151
.........................
System Indicator .63
.........................
System Message .83
........................
Wear Indicators .252
.........
Braking Fluid Low Message . 79
.............................
Braking System .252
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 228
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .122
......................
Brights, Headlights .120
Bulb Replacement ..............................
Brake Lights .295
.................................
Fog Lights .298
................
Front Parking Lights . 294
.................................
Headlights .291
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 297
............................
Specif ications .339
............
Turn Signal Lights . 293,295
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .291
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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