Acura Integra (2001 year). Manual — part 10

Automatic Transmission

Shift Lock Release

This allows you to move the shift

lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.

1. Set the Parking brake.

2. Remove the key from the ignition

switch.

3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift

Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry off the
edge of the cover.

4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock

Release slot.

5. Push down on the key while you

press the release button on the
shift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to Neutral.

6. Remove the key from the Shift

Lock Release slot, then reinstall
the cover.
Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.

If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.

Driving

RELEASE BUTTON

SHIFT LOCK

RELEASE SLOT

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Parking

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on

the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; it

does not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.

If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
before you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the car from
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission — making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away.

If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb. If

you have a manual transmission, put

it in first gear.

If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.

Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.

Parking Tips

Make sure the moonroof and the

windows are closed.

Turn off the lights.

Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them

with you.

Lock the doors.

Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.

Driving

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The Braking System

Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power

assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps

you retain steering control when
braking very hard.

Put your foot on the brake pedal only

when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them

to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you.

Constant application of the brakes

when going down a long hill builds

up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.

Check your brakes after driving

through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.

Brake Wear Indicators

All four brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.

When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic

"screeching" sound when you apply

the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin

screeching all the time.

Your brakes may sometimes squeal

or squeak when you apply them

lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."

Driving

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The Braking System

Brake System Design

The hydraulic system that operates

the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,

etc.). If one circuit should develop a

problem, you will still have braking

at two wheels.

Anti-lock Brakes

The Integra LS, GS, GS-R and
Type-R models have an Anti-lock

Brake System (ABS) as standard
equipment.

ABS helps to prevent the wheels
from locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retain

steering control.

When the front tires skid, you lose

steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn

the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain

steering control by pumping the

brakes rapidly; much faster than a
person can do it.

Driving

Front

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The Braking System

You should never pump the

brake pedal, this defeats the

purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.

This is sometimes referred to as

"stomp and steer."

You will feel a pulsation in the brake

pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.

Activation varies with the amount of

traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before you
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

Important Safety Reminders

ABS does not reduce the time or

distance it takes to stop the car, it

only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a safe following distance

from other vehicles.

ABS will not prevent a skid that

results from changing direction

abruptly, such as trying to take a

corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed for the road and
weather conditions.

ABS cannot prevent a loss of

stability. Always steer moderately

when you are braking hard. Severe

or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road.

A vehicle with ABS may require a

longer distance to stop on loose or

uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.

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Driving

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The Braking System, Limited Slip Differential

ABS Indicator

* U.S. indicator shown

The ABS is self-checking. If anything

goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page

55

). This means the anti-lock

function of the braking system has

shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-

lock, providing normal stopping

ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible.

Limited Slip Differential

Type-R model only

Your Acura is equipped with a

Limited Slip Differential (LSD). If
one front wheel slips, the LSD helps
traction by automatically
transmitting driving force to the
other front wheel. You may feel the
transfer through the steering wheel.

Driving

ABS INDICATOR*

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Driving in Bad Weather

Rain, fog, and snow conditions
require a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater

caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions.

Driving Technique — Always drive

slower than you would in dry

weather. It takes your car longer to

react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles

(kilometers) of driving while you

adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.

Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.

Visibility — Being able to see

clearly in all directions and being

visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be

seen more clearly during daylight

hours, turn on your headlights.

Inspect your windshield wipers and

washers frequently. Keep the wind-

shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield

wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page

100

).

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Driving

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Driving in Bad Weather

Traction — Check your tires

frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.

Watch road conditions carefully,
they can change from moment to

moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.

The road surface can become

covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.

Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid.

Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting
can cause you to lose control.

Driving

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Towing a Trailer

Your Acura has been designed

primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can use it to tow a
trailer if you carefully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,

and follow the guidelines in this
section.

On Type-R model

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a

trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.

Load Limits

Total Trailer Weight: The total

weight of the trailer and

everything loaded in it must not
exceed 1,000 Ibs (450 kg). Towing
a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.

Tongue Load: The weight that

the tongue of a fully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway. Too much
tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control.

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Driving

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Towing a Trailer

To achieve a proper tongue load,

start by loading 60 percent of the

load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

(GVWR):

The total weight of the vehicle, all

occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
3,680 Ibs ( 1,670 kg)

Gross Axle Weight Rating

(GAWR):

The total weight of the vehicle, all

occupants, all cargo, and the

tongue load must not exceed:

1,985 lbs (900 kg)

on the front axle

1,740 Ibs (790 kg)

on the rear axle

Driving

Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading your vehicle

and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously
injured or killed.

Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.

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Towing a Trailer

Checking Loads

The best way to confirm that vehicle

and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.

Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the first time you set up a
towing combination (a fully-loaded

vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions

change.

Towing Equipment and

Accessories

Towing can require a variety of

equipment, depending on the size of

your trailer, how it will be used, and
how much load you are towing.

Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.

Also make sure that all equipment is

properly installed and that it meets
federal, state, province, and local
regulations.

Hitches

Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.

Safety Chains

Always use safety chains. Make sure
they are secured to both the trailer

and hitch, and that they cross under

the tongue so they can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched.
Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do
not let the chains drag on the ground.

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Driving

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Towing a Trailer

Trailer Brakes

Acura recommends that any trailer

having a total weight of 1,000 Ibs

(450 kg) or more be equipped with

its own electric or surge-type brakes.

If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your

vehicle's hydraulic system. No

matter how successful it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle's hydraulic system

will lower braking effectiveness and

create a potential hazard.

Trailer Lights

If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
from your Acura dealer.

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting

connector located behind the left
side panel in the cargo area. Refer to
the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.

Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualified mechanic install
a suitable connector between the

vehicle and the trailer.

Driving

GROUND

(BLACK)

BACK-UP LIGHT

(GREEN/BLACK)

LEFT TURN SIGNAL

(GREEN/BLUE)

TAILLIGHT

(RED/BLACK)

BRAKE LIGHT

(GREEN/WHITE)

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL

(GREEN/YELLOW)

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Towing a Trailer

Additional Trailer Equipment

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don't,

you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or

if the trailer creates a blind spot.

Ask your trailer sales or rental

agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.

Pre-Tow Checklist

When preparing to tow, and before

driving away, be sure to check the
following:

The vehicle has been properly

serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.

All weights and loads are within

limits (see pages

151

and

152

).

The hitch, safety chains, and any

other attachments are secure.

All items on and in the trailer are

properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.

The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working

properly.

Your vehicle tires and spare are

properly inflated (see page

255

),

and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the

trailer maker.

Driving

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Towing a Trailer

Driving Safely With a Trailer

The added weight, length, and

height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,

so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and

techniques.

For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
discussed below.

Towing Speeds and Gears

Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D

4

position when

towing a trailer on level roads. D

3

is

the proper shift lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.

(See "Driving on Hills" in the next

column for additional gear
information.)

Making Turns and Braking

Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the

vehicle misses. Allow more time and

distance for braking. Do not brake or

turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.

Driving on Hills

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air

conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.

If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shift to
D

3

.

If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic

transmission to overheat.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd
gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, and

remember it will take longer to slow
down and stop when towing a trailer.

Driving

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Towing a Trailer

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt

your steering and cause trailer

swaying. When being passed by a

large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking

corrections.

Backing Up

Always drive slowly and have

someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering

wheel; then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left,

and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.

Parking

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer's tires.

Driving

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