Acura Integra (2001 year). Instruction — part 9

Service Station Procedures

Oil Check

DIPSTICK

Check the engine oil level every time

you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few

minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.

1. Remove the dipstick (orange

handle).

2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean

cloth or paper towel.

3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.

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Before Driving

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Service Station Procedures

UPPER MARK

4. 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

Adding Oil on page

173

.

Engine Coolant Check

RESERVE TANK

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and M I N lines. If
it is below the M I N line, see

Adding

Engine Coolant on page

178

for

information on adding the proper
coolant.

Refer to

Owner Maintenance

Checks on page

171

for information

on checking other items in your

Acura.

Before Driving

LOWER MARK

MAX

MIN

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Fuel Economy

The condition of your car and your

driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.

Vehicle Condition

Always maintain your car according

to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.

An important part of that mainte-

nance is the

Owner Maintenance

Checks (see page

171

). For

example, an under-inflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.

In winter, the build-up of snow on

your car's underside adds weight and

rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion.

Driving Habits

You can improve fuel economy by

driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard

braking use more fuel.

Always drive in the highest gear that

allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.

Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,

your car uses extra fuel. Use the

cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy.

A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to

"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter

how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.

The air conditioning puts an extra

load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A / C to

cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation

when the outside air temperature is
moderate.

Before Driving

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Accessories and Modifications

Modifying your car, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your car unsafe. Before you
make any modifications or add any
accessories, be sure to read the
following information.

Accessories

Your dealer has Genuine Acura

accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved for your car, and are
covered by warranty.

Non-Acura accessories are usually
designed for universal applications.

Although aftermarket accessories

may fit on your car, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your car's
handling and stability. (See

"Modifications" on the page

131

for

additional information.)

When properly installed, cellular

phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your car's
computer-controlled systems, such

as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.

However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed

your car's electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation

of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.

Before installing any accessory:

Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere

with proper car operation or
performance.

Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits

(see page

243

).

Have the installer contact your

Acura dealer for assistance before

installing any electronic accessory.

If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.

Before Driving

Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your

car's handling, stability and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.

Follow all instructions in this

owner's instruction regarding
accessories and modifications.

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Accessories and Modifications

Modifications
Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or

operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.

For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different

overall diameter.

Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock
brakes and other systems.

In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts
striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause

your airbags to deploy.

Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make the
system ineffective.

Additional Safety Precaution

Do not attach or place objects on the
airbag covers. Any object attached to
or placed on the covers marked "SRS

AIRBAG," in the center of the

steering wheel and on top of the
dashboard, could interfere with the
proper operation of the airbags. Or,
if the airbags inflate, the objects
could be propelled inside the car and
hurt someone.

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Carrying Cargo

CONSOLE COMPARTMENT

CARGO AREA

GLOVE BOX

Your car has several convenient

storage areas so you can stow cargo
safely.

The glove box, and the pockets in

the doors are designed for small,
lightweight items. The cargo area is
intended for larger, heavier items. In
addition, the back seat can be folded

down to allow you to carry more
cargo or longer items.

However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect

your car's handling, stability and

operation and make it unsafe. Before
carrying any type of cargo, be sure to
read the following pages.

Before Driving

DOOR POCKET

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Carrying Cargo

Load Limit

The maximum load for your car is

700 lbs (325 kg).

This figure includes the total weight

of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer.

To figure out how much cargo you

can carry:

Add up the weight of all occupants.

If you are towing a trailer, add the
tongue weight to the number
above.

Subtract the total from 700 Ibs

(325 kg).

The final number is the total weight

of cargo you can carry.

Carrying Items in the Passenger

Compartment

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.

Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
under the seats and interfere with
the driver's ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.

Keep the glove box closed while

driving. If the lid is open, a

passenger could injure their knees
during a crash or sudden stop.

Before Driving

Overloading or improper

loading can affect handling and

stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.

Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
instruction.

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Carrying Cargo

Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area

or on a Roof Rack

Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.

If you fold down the back seat, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the car during a crash or
sudden stop.

Do not place items on the cargo
area cover, or stack objects higher
than the top of the back seat. They
could block your view and be
thrown about the car during a
crash or sudden stop.

If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
hatch, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page

49

.

If you can carry any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weight
of the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Acura
dealer for further information.

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Driving

This section gives you tips on

starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed instruction and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important information on parking

your car, the braking system, and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer.

Preparing to Drive. . . . . . .

136

Starting the Engine. . . . . .

137

Starting in Cold Weather

at High Altitude. . . . . .

137

5-speed Instruction Transmission. .

138

Recommended Shift Points. ..

139

Engine Speed Limiter. . . ...

139

Automatic Transmission. . . ...

140

Shift Lever Position Indicator..

140

Shift Lever Positions. . . . .

140

Engine Speed Limiter. . . ...

142

Shift Lock Release. . . . . .

143

Parking. . . . . . . . . . .

144

The Braking System. . . . . ..

145

Brake Wear Indicators. . . ..

145

Brake System Design. . . .

146

Anti-lock Brakes. . . . . .

146

Important Safety

Reminders. . . . . . ..

147

ABS Indicator. . . . . . .

148

Limited Slip Differential. . . ...

148

Driving in Bad Weather. . . .

149

Towing a Trailer. . . . . . .

151

Driving

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Preparing to Drive

You should do the following checks

and adjustments every day before

you drive your car.

1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,

and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.

2. Check that the hood and hatch are

fully closed.

3. Visually check the tires. If a tire

looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.

4. Check that any items you may be

carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.

5. Check the adjustment of the seat

(see page

79

).

6. Check the adjustment of the

inside and outside mirrors (see
page

86

).

7. Check the adjustment of the

steering wheel (see page

66

).

8. Make sure the doors and hatch

are securely closed and locked.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that

your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page

16

).

10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.

11. Start the engine (see page

137

).

12. Check the gauges and indicator

lights in the instrument panel (see
page

53

).

Driving

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Starting the Engine

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. In cold weather, turn off all

electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.

3. Instruction Transmission:

Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.

Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.

4. Without touching the accelerator

pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine

does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.

5. If the engine does not start within

15 seconds, or starts but stalls

right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal

so the engine does not race.

6. If the engine still does not start,

press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while

starting in order to clear flooding.

As before, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position for no

more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Starting in Cold Weather at High

Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/

2,400 meters)

An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air found at

high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400

meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:

1. Turn off all electrical accessories

to reduce the drain on the battery.

2. Push the accelerator pedal half-

way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START

(III) for more than 15 seconds.

When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths

out.

3. If the engine fails to start in step 2,

push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.

Driving

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5-speed Instruction Transmission

The instruction transmission is syn-

chronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so

you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shifting up or

down, make sure you push the clutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shifting,
do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.

Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the car moving. Push

down the clutch pedal, and pause for
a few seconds before shifting into
Reverse, or shift into one of the

forward gears for a moment. This

stops the gears so they won't "grind."

When slowing down, you can get

extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear.

Driving

Rapid slowing or speeding-up

can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.

Use extra care when driving on

slippery surfaces.

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5-speed Instruction Transmission

Recommended Shift Points

Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
fuel economy and effective emis-
sions control. The following shift
points are recommended:

Engine Speed Limiter

If you exceed the maximum speed

for the gear you are in, the engine

speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel

the engine cut in and out. This is

caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.

Before downshifting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer's red zone.

Driving

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Automatic Transmission

Your Acura's transmission has four
forward speeds, and is electronically

controlled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift

when the converter locks.

Shift Lever Position Indicator

This indicator on the instrument

panel shows which position the shift
lever is in.

The "D

4

" indicator comes on for a

few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-

ation and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Acura
dealer as soon as possible.

Shift Lever Positions

The shift lever has seven positions.

It must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D

4

, D

3

, 2, 1, N or R, press firmly on

the brake pedal, and keep your foot

off the accelerator pedal.

Driving

SHIFT

LEVER

RELEASE

BUTTON

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Automatic Transmission

Park (P) — This position mechani-

cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning off or
starting the engine. To shift out of
Park, you must press on the brake

pedal and have your foot off the

accelerator pedal. Press the release

button on the side of the shift lever
to move it.

If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on page

143

.

You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid

transmission damage, come to a
complete stop before shifting into
Park. The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch.

Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse

from Park, see the explanation under

Park. To shift to Reverse from
Neutral, come to a complete stop and

then shift. Press the release button
before shifting into Reverse from
Neutral.

Neutral (N) — Use Neutral if you

need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with
the engine idling. Shift to Park posi-
tion if you need to leave the car for
any reason. Press on the brake pedal

when you are moving the shift lever
from Neutral to another gear.

Drive (D

4

) — Use this position for

your normal driving. The transmis-

sion automatically selects a suitable

gear for your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission

shifting up at higher speeds when

the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up faster.

Driving

CONTINUED

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Automatic Transmission

Drive (D

3

) — This position is similar

to D

4

, except only the first three

gears are selected. Use D3 when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to
provide engine braking when going

down a steep hill. D

3

can also keep

the transmission from cycling
between third and fourth gears in

stop-and-go driving.

For faster acceleration when in D

3

or

D

4

, you can get the transmission to

automatically downshift by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.

The transmission will shift down one

or two gears, depending on your
speed.

Second (2) — To shift to Second,

press the release button on the side
of the shift lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop. Second
gives you more power when climbing,

and increased engine braking when

going down steep hills. Use second
gear when starting out on a slippery

surface or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.

First (1) — To shift from Second to

First, press the release button on the
side of the shift lever. With the lever
in this position, the transmission
locks in First gear. By upshifting and
downshifting through 1,2, D

3

and D

4,

you can operate this transmission

much like a instruction transmission
without a clutch pedal.

Engine Speed Limiter

If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. If this
occurs, you may feel the engine
cut in and out. This is caused by a
limiter in the engine's computer
controls. The engine will run
normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.

Driving

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