Acura 2002 NSX - Owner's Manual User Manual

2002 NSX Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. For a printed own

Your car is equipped with manyfeatures that work together toprotect you and your passengerduring a crash.These safety features are designedto reduce t

Theclimatecontrolsystemhastemperature sensors located on thedashboard and in the center console.Do not cover these sensors or spillanyliquidonthem.Cli

＊＊Dolby noise reduction manufactured underlicense from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo-ration. ‘‘DOLBY’’ and the double-D symbolare trademarks of D

The ignition switch must be inACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) tooperate the audio system. Turn thesystem on by pressing the ON/OFFbutton. The radio comes on

To tune to a station, turn the TUNEdial (outside ring of the right knob).Turn it clockwise to tune to a higherfrequency, and counterclockwise totune t

−CONTINUEDThe easiest way to find your favoritestations is to set their frequenciesinto the eight preset buttons. To dothis, tune to the desired stati

A. SELECT does not erase thestations you have manually preset.When you return to your normalreception area, turn off A. SELECTby pressing the button a

UsetheTREBandBASSknobstoadjust the tone quality to your liking.Push on the TREB knob to get bothto pop out. The outside ring changesthe bass level, an

You can use the instrument panelbrightness control dial to adjust the il-lumination of the audio system (seepage ). The audio systemilluminates when t

Radio signals, especially on the FMband, are deflected by large objectssuch as buildings and hills. Yourradio then receives both the directsignal from

▲▼▲Make sure the radio is ON. Insertthe cassette with the tape opening tothe right. Push the cassette most ofthe way into the slot. It will be pulledi

Your seat belt system alsoincludes a light on theinstrument panel to remind you andyour passenger to fasten your seatbelts.Foryoursafety,andthesafetyo

Dolby B noise reduction turns onwhen you insert a cassette. If thetape was not recorded with Dolby Bnoise reduction, turn it off bypressing the button

To remove the cassette from thedrive, press the (Eject) button.The system automatically ejects thecassette whenever you turn off thesystem or the igni

Press to fast forward the tape.Press to rewind the tape. Tostop fast forward or rewind, pressPLAY. Fast forward or rewind stopsautomatically at the en

The REPEAT function plays thecurrent song or passage over again.Press REPEAT to enable it. The lightin the button stays lit to remind you.When the sys

CONTINUEDThe REPLAY function issimilar to REPEAT. When you pressthis button, the system immediatelygoes into rewind. The light in theREPLAY button fla

The SKIP function allows youto skip over a song or other passage.When you press this button, thesystem goes into fast forward until itsenses a silent

CONTINUEDSCAN allows you to search a tape fora desired passage. When you pressthis button, the system goes into fastforward. It goes back to PLAY when

The REPLAY, SKIP and SCANfunctions use silent periods on thetape to find the end of a selection.These features may not work satis-factorily on tapes t

Do not leave cassettes sitting wherethey are exposed to high heat orhumidity, such as on top of thedashboard or in the player. If acassette is exposed

−A trunk-mounted Compact Discchanger is available for your car. Itholds up to six discs, providingseveral hours of continuous program-ming. You operat

This system also includesan indicator light on theinstrument panel to alert you to apossible problem with the system.The most important things you nee

To return to the radio function, pressthe AM/FM button.To select another disc, press PROG.The next CD in the changer isloaded and starts to play from

Each time you press , thesystem skips forward to thebeginning of the next track on thatCD. Pressing skipsbackward to the beginning of thecurrent track

CONTINUEDTo replay the current track, pressREPEAT. The indicator in the presetbutton will come on as a reminder.At the end of the track, the systemski

To search for a particular programon a disc, press SCAN. The systemwill skip forward to the next trackand begin to play it. If you do nottouch any of

You can get the CD changer torandomly select tracks by pressingA. SELECT. The indicator in thebutton lights as a reminder. Withthis active, the system

Never try to insert foreign objects inthe CD player or the magazine.AnewCDmayberoughontheinner and outer edges. The smallplastic pieces causing this r

If you see an error indication in thedisplay while operating the CDchanger, find the cause in the chartto the right. If you cannot clear theerror indi

The security system helps to protectyour car and valuables from theft.The horn sounds and all the exteriorlights flash if someone attempts tobreak int

Push in the Cruise Control MasterSwitch on the right pod. Theindicator by the switch will light.Accelerate to the desired cruisingspeedabove25mph(40km

Press and release the SET/decelbuttononthesteeringwheel.TheCRUISE CONTROL light on theinstrument panel comes on toshow the system is now activated.You

Head restraints can help protect youfrom whiplash and other injuries.Keeping your doors locked reducesthechanceofbeingthrownoutofthe car during a cras

Resting your foot on the brake orclutch pedal will cause the cruisecontrol to cancel.Even with the cruise control turnedon, you can still use the acce

128Main Menu

Before you begin driving your Acura,youshouldknowwhatgasolinetouse, and how to check the levels ofimportant fluids. You also need toknow how to proper

During this period: If you are unable to find premiumunleaded gasoline, you may substi-tute an unleaded regular gasoline.The engine will compensate fo

Removethefuelfillcapslowly.You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes.Place the cap in the holder on thefuel fill door.Open the f

Stop filling the tank after the fuelnozzle automatically clicks off. Donot try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leavesome room for the fuel to expandwith temp

To Close the Rear Window:Lift the engine cover.Pull the support rod out of its clipand insert the end into the squarehole in the engine cover bracket.

Wipe the dipstick with a cleancloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should beb

Look at the coolant level in theexpansion tank. Make sure it isbetween the MAX and MIN lines. Ifit is below the MIN line, seeon page forinformation on

Pull the support rod out of its clipand insert the end into the squarehole on the right side of the hood.To close the hood, lift it up slightlyto remo

Seat-backs are upright (see page).To make sure you and yourpassenger get the maximumprotection from your car’s safetyfeatures, check the following eac

Snap the support rod back into itsholding clip.Lower the hood about halfwaydown and let the hood drop.After closing the hood, make sureit is securely

You can improve fuel economy bydriving moderately. Rapid acceler-ation, abrupt cornering, and hardbraking use more fuel.Always drive in the highest ge

Modifying your car, or installingsome non-Acura accessories, canmake your car unsafe. Before youmake any modifications or add anyaccessories,besuretor

In addition, any modifications thatdecrease ground clearance increasethe chance of undercarriage partsstriking a curb, speed bump, or otherraised obje

Your car has several convenientstorage areas so you can stow cargosafely.However, carrying too much cargo,or improperly storing it, can affectyour car

Store or secure all items that couldbe thrown around and hurtsomeone during a crash.Besureitemsplacedonthefloorbehind the front seats cannot rollunder

Distribute cargo evenly on thefloor of the trunk, placing theheaviest items on the bottom andas far forward as possible.Carrying CargoBefore DrivingCa

Your Acura is designed to give youoptimum handling and performanceon well-maintained roads. As part ofthis design, your car has a minimumof ground cle

This section gives you tips onstarting the engine under variousconditions, and how to operate themanual and automatic transmissions.It also includes i

Make sure all windows, mirrors,and outside lights are clean andunobstructed. Remove frost, snow,or ice.Check that the hood, trunk andrear window are f

Any driver who sits too close to thesteering wheel is at risk of beingseriously injured or killed by strikingthe steering wheel, or from beingstruck b

Apply the parking brake.In cold weather, turn off allelectrical accessories to reducethe drain on the battery.Without touching the acceleratorpedal, t

The manual transmission is synchro-nizedinallforwardgearsforsmoothoperation. It has a lockout so youcannot shift directly from Fifth toReverse instead

Drive in the highest gear that letsthe engine run and acceleratesmoothly. This will give you the bestfuel economy and effective emis-sions control. Th

If you need to use this procedure toshift to Reverse, your car may bedeveloping a problem. Have the carchecked by your Acura dealer.With the clutch pe

Your Acura’s transmission has fourforward speeds, and is electronicallycontrolled for smoother shifting. Italso has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converterforb

− This position mechani-cally locks the transmission. UsePark whenever you are turning off orstarting the engine. To shift out ofPark, you must press

−−−CONTINUEDIf you have done all of the above andstill cannot move the lever out ofPark, see Shift Lock Release on page.You must also press the releas

− If you move the console shift leverfrom ‘‘D’’ to ‘‘3/M’’ while the car ismoving, the transmission remains inthe gear it was in. If you do thiswhile

−− To shift from Second toFirst, press the release button on theshift lever. With the lever in thisposition, the transmission locks inFirst gear.To sh

Insert the key in the Shift LockRelease slot next to the shift lever.Push down on the key while youpressthereleasebuttonontheshift lever and move the

CONTINUEDMost shorter drivers can get farenough away from the steeringwheel and still reach the pedals.However, if you are concerned aboutsitting too

−Make sure the moonroof and thewindows are closed.Place any packages, valuables, etc.,in the trunk or take them with you.Turn off the lights.Make sure

All four brakes have audible brakewear indicators.Check your brakes after drivingthrough deep water. Apply thebrakes moderately to see if they feelnor

CONTINUEDThe hydraulic system that operatesthe brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally acrossthe car (the left-front brake isco

this defeats thepurpose of the ABS. Let the ABSwork for you by always keeping firm,steady pressure on the brake pedalas you steer away from the hazard

＊＊＊＊The ABS is self-checking. If anythinggoes wrong, the ABS indicator onthe instrument panel comes on (seepage ). This means the anti-lockfunction of

When driving on a loose or slipperyroad surface, you may notice that theengine does not respond to theaccelerator in the same way it doesat other time

Deactivate the system by pressingthe TCS On/Off switch. The TCSindicator light comes on as areminder. Pressing the switch againturns the system back o

−−Exercise extra caution when drivingin rain after a long dry spell. Aftermonths of dry weather, the firstrains bring oil to the surface of theroadway

− Check your tiresfrequently for wear and properpressure. Both are important inpreventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss oftraction on a wet surface). In thew

166Main Menu

See page for how to adjust seat-backs.Reclining a seat-back so that theshoulder part of the belt no longerrests against the occupant’s chestreduces th

This section also includesMaintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,a Maintenance Record, and instruc-tions for simple mai

This section includes instructions forsimple maintenance tasks, such aschecking and adding oil. Any serviceitems not detailed in this sectionshould be

Read the instructions before youbegin, and make sure you have thetools and skills required.To reduce the possibility of fire orexplosion, be careful w

Always use unleaded gasoline withthe proper octane rating (see page).The services and time or distanceintervals shown in the maintenanceschedule assum

＃We recommend the use of genuineAcura parts and fluids whenever youhave maintenance done. These aremanufactured to the same high-quality standards as

−［］＃＃＃＃Follow the Normal ConditionsMaintenance Schedule if thesevere driving conditionsspecified in the SevereConditions MaintenanceSchedule do not ap

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＃＃＃＃Maintenance173U.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersA, B, CABCRefer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance

−［］＊＃＃＃＊＃＃Follow the Severe ConditionsMaintenance Schedule if youdrive your vehicleunder one or more of thefollowing conditions:Driving less than 5 mi

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＃＃ ＊＊＃CONTINUED••Maintenance175U.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersA, B, C, DABCDRefer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use

□□□□□□□□□□□＊＃ ＊＊＃Maintenance176See timing belt on page to determine need for replacement.See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastco

CONTINUEDPosition the lap part of the belt aslow as possible across your hips,then pull up on the shoulder part ofthe belt so the lap part fits snugly

CONTINUEDMaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)1773,750 mi7,500 mi11,250 mi15,000 mi18,750 mi22,500 mi26,250 mi30,00

MaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)17863,750 mi67,500 mi71,250 mi75,000 mi78,750 mi82,500 mi86,250 mi90,000 mi93,

−−−−−−−Youshouldcheckthefollowingitems at the specified intervals. Ifyou are unsure of how to performany check, turn to the page given.Engine oil leve

Fluid LocationsMaintenance180BBRRAAKKEE FFLLUUIIDD((GGrraayy CCaapp))CCLLUUTTCCHH FFLLUUIIDD((GGrraayy CCaapp))AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICCTTRRAANNSSMMIISSSSIIO

To add oil, unscrew and remove theengine oil fill cap on top of the leftvalve cover. Pour in the oil, andreplace the engine oil fill cap.Tighten it se

The numbers on the container’s labeltell you the oil’s viscosity or weight.Select the oil for your car accordingto this chart.You may use a synthetic

Always change the oil and filteraccordingtothetimeanddistance(miles/kilometers) recommenda-tions in the maintenance schedule.The oil and filter collec

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,then reinstall the drain bolt.Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-mended oil.Engine oil change capacity(

If the expansion tank is completelyempty, add coolant to bring it up tothe MAX line. Inspect the coolingsystem for leaks. This coolant shouldalways be

Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.Turn the expansion tank capcounterclockwise, withoutpressing down on it, until it stops.This relieves any pr

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,so that the wheel points toward yourchest, not toward your face.Pointing the steering wheel towardyour chest prov

Open the hood, the rear window,and engine cover.Remove the cover protecting thecoolant pipes and shift linkage onthe underside of the car.To replace t

Remove the drain plug from thebottom of the radiator.Loosen the bleeder plug on top ofthe radiator.Start the engine. Turn the heatertemperature contro

Remove the drain plugs from thecoolant pipes under the car.Loosen the drain plugs on theengine.When the coolant stops draining,tighten the engine drai

Loosen the bleeder bolt on top ofthe engine.Loosen the bleeder bolt near theexpansion tank.Remove the bleeder cap from thetop of the heater inlet.9. 1

Turn off the engine. Check theexpansion tank and, if needed, addcoolant to bring it up to the MAXline. Tighten the expansion tankcap. Reinstall the co

Check the level in the windshieldwasher reservoir at least monthlyduring normal usage. In bad weather,when you use the washers often,check the level e

Check the fluid level with the engineat normal operating temperature.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)from the transmission and wipe itwith a clean cl

The transmission should be drainedand refilled with new fluid accordingto the time and distance recommen-dations in the maintenance schedule.If Honda

Always use Honda Heavy DutyBrake Fluid DOT 3. If it is notavailable, you should use only DOT 3or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealedcontainer, as a temporaryre

The fluid level should be betweentheMINandMAXmarksonthesideof the reservoir. If it is not, addbrake fluid to bring it up to that level.Use the same fl

This Owner’s Manual should beconsidered a permanent part of thevehicle, and should remain with thevehicle when it is sold.This Owner’s Manual covers a

Pregnant women should also situpright and as far back as possiblefrom the steering wheel ordashboard. This will reduce the riskof injuries to both the

The air cleaner element should becleaned or replaced according to thetime and distance recommendationsin the maintenance schedule.Clean the air cleane

Remove the old air cleanerelement.Carefully clean the inside of theair cleaner housing with a damprag.Install the new air cleaner element,making sure

CONTINUEDReplace the spark plugs one side at atime. Make sure the front cylinderignition coils and the back side of thecover are marked ‘‘FR’’ and the

Remove the spark plug witha five-eighths inch (16 mm) sparkplug socket.Put the new spark plug into thesocket, then screw it into the hole.Screw it in

＋−Install the ignition coil. Install andtighten the two hold-down bolts to:Tightening torque:Reconnect the ignition coil to thewire harness.After chan

Check the battery condition bylooking at the test indicator windowon the battery.The label on the battery explains thetest indicator’s colors.Check th

−If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking sodaand water. Then use a wrench toloosen and remove the cables fromthe terminals. Al

If you need to charge the batteryafter storing the car, make sure youdo it outside the car. Do not connecta battery charger to the jump startterminal

−To replace the blade:Check the condition of the wiperblades at least every six months.Look for signs of cracking in therubber, or areas that are gett

Remove the blade from its holderby grasping the tabbed end of theblade. Pull firmly until the tabscome out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades.

Carrying hard or sharp objects onyour lap, or driving with a pipe orother sharp object in your mouth,can result in injuries if yourairbags inflate.If

Run the air conditioning at least oncea week during the cold weathermonths. Run it for at least tenminutes while you are driving at asteady speed with

−−−−−−The belts should have the following‘‘play’’ or deflection.If you see signs of wear or looseness,have your dealer adjust or replacethe belts.Comp

CONTINUEDKeeping the tires properly inflatedprovides the best combination ofhandling, tread life, and ridingcomfort. Underinflated tires wearunevenly,

Use a gauge to measure the airpressure at least once a month. Eventires that are in good condition maylose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1to 0.2 kgf

Tubeless tires have some ability toself-seal if they are punctured.However, because leakage is oftenvery slow, you should look closelyfor punctures if

In addition to proper inflation,correct wheel alignment helps todecrease tire wear. If you find a tireis worn unevenly, have your dealercheck the whee

CONTINUEDThetiremileageyoucanexpectfrom your NSX is the same ascomparable mid-and rear-enginedsports cars, and it will vary greatlywith your driving h

＋Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have anall-weather tread design. Theyshould be suitable for most winterdriving conditi

If you mount snow tires on yourAcura, make sure they are radialtires of the same size and load rangeas the original tires. Mount snowtiresonallfourwhe

Check the operation of your car’sexterior lights at least once a month.A burned out bulb can create anunsafe condition by reducing yourcar’s visibilit

Children depend on adults to protectthem. However, despite their bestintentions, many parents and otheradults may not know how toprotect young passeng

Check the following:Headlights (low and high beam)Parking lightsTaillightsBrake lightsTurn signalsBack-up lightsHazard light functionLicense plate lig

The low beam headlight bulbs are atype of high voltage discharge tube.High voltage can remain in thecircuit even with the light switch offand the key

Turn on the headlights to test thenew bulb.Push the electrical connector backonto the bulb. Make sure it is onall the way.Remove the socket from thehe

Insert the socket back into theheadlight assembly. Turn itclockwise to lock it in place.Testthelightstomakesurethenew bulb is working.Remove the socke

Turn the socket one-quarter turncounterclockwise to remove itfrom the lens.Use your fingernail to lift therubber seal along the back edge ofthesidemar

Pull the top edge of the trunk linerout from under the rubber seal.Remove the plastic clips holdingthe trunk liner by putting yourthumbs under the hea

Install the new bulb in the socket.Turn on the parking lights andmake sure the new bulb isworking. Reinstall the license plateassembly on the bumper b

Remove the bulb by pulling itstraight out of its metal tabs.The courtesy lights in the doors, roofand under the dashboard come apartthesameway.Theydon

LightsMaintenance225IINNTTEERRIIOORRTTRRUUNNKKMain MenuTable of Contents

Block the rear wheels.Disconnect the battery.If possible, run the engine for awhile periodically (preferably onceamonth).Support the front wiper blade

−Airbags have been designed to helpprotect adults in a moderate tosevere frontal collision. To do this,the passenger’s airbag is quite large,and it in

Regular cleaning and polishing ofyour Acura helps to keep it ‘‘new’’looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car andpreserve its appe

When you have washed and rinsedthe whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting itair-dry will cause dulling and waterspots.Fill a buck

−−Twice a year, clean the antenna mastwith a dry cloth and mild detergent.Scrub the antenna in upward strokesto avoid bending it. Rinse with water.Mak

The wheels have a protective clear-coat that keeps the aluminum fromcorroding and tarnishing. Usingharsh chemicals, including somecommercial wheel cle

The genuine Acura driver’s floor matthat came with your car wasdesigned to be hooked over the floormat anchor. This keeps the floor matfrom sliding fo

Remove dirt and dust with a vacuumcleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a softcloth dampened in a solution of mildsoap and water. Use the samesolution with a s

Use a high-pressure spray to cleanthe underside of your car. This isespecially important in areas thatuseroadsaltinwinter.Itisalsoagood idea in humid

Inspect areas of the body that havebeen repaired rather than replaced.Trytolookattheinsidesurfaces.Make sure the repair includedreapplication of corro

This section covers the more-common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. Itgives you information about how tosafely evaluate the pro

If you have a flat tire while driving,stop in a safe place to change it.Stopping in traffic or on the shoulderof a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly

To remind you of the passenger’sairbag hazards, your car has warninglabels on the dashboard and on thedriver’s and passenger’s visors.Please read and

CONTINUEDPlace the air pump near the flattire. Open the nearest window, androute the air pump’s power cordthrough the open window.Open the trunk (see

Loosen the five wheel nuts 1/2turn with the wheel wrench.Remove the cigarette lighter fromits socket and plug the power cordend into the socket. Make

CONTINUEDRemove the wheel nuts and flattire. Temporarily place the flat tireon the ground with the outsidesurface of the aluminum wheelfacing up. Plac

Before you put on the foldingspare tire, wipe any dirt off themounting surface of the wheel andhub with a clean cloth. This willassure a tight, even c

CONTINUEDUnscrew the valve cap from thefolding spare tire’s air valve byturning it counterclockwise. Thenscrew on the air pump hose.Reach into the car

Front:Rear:After about five minutes, unscrewthe air pump hose and check thepressure with the suppliedpressure gauge.Inflate to:When finished, reach in

CONTINUEDLower the car to the ground andremove the jack.Tighten the wheel nuts securely inthe same crisscross pattern. Havethe wheel nut torque checke

Before returning the folding sparetire to its compartment, you must letout all the air. It will fold back to itsoriginal space saving shape.The foldin

CONTINUEDUnscrew and remove the foldingspare tire valve cap.Remove the rubber cover on top ofthe valve cap. Use the notch onthe valve cap to unscrew t

As the tire deflates, it will foldback to its original shape. Whenthe air stops coming out of the tire,use the notch on the valve cap totighten the va

Leaving a child without adultsupervision is illegal in most statesand Canadian provinces and canbe very hazardous. For example, asmall child left in a

CONTINUEDDo not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)under any circumstances.Applying oil to any component ofthe air pump is not necessary.The surface of the air pu

This tire gives a harsher ride andless traction on some road sur-faces than the regular tire. Usegreater caution while driving onthis tire.The spare t

CONTINUEDDiagnosing why your engine won’tstart falls into two areas, dependingon what you hear when you turn thekey to START (III):You hear nothing, o

There may be an electricalproblem, such as no power to thefuel pump. Check all the fuses(see page ).Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwillneed a qualified tech

CONTINUEDYou cannot start an Acura with anautomatic transmission by pushingor pulling it.Put the transmission in Neutral orPark, and set the parking b

−＋Connect the second jumper cableto the negative ( ) terminal onthe booster battery. Connect theother end to the boss on the intakemanifold as shown.

If the booster battery is in anothercar, have an assistant start that carand run it at a fast idle.Start your car. If the starter motorstill operates

If the temperature gauge stays atthe red mark, turn off the engine.Safely pull to the side of the road.Put the transmission in Neutral orPark and set

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,such as a split radiator hose.Everything is still extremely hot,so use caution. If you find a leak, itmust be repai

This indicator should light when theignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. It shouldnever come on when the engine isrunning. I

A child who can situp without support should berestrained in a forward-facing childseat. See page for additionalinformation on protecting smallchildre

This indicator should come on whenthe ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If itcomes on brightly when the engineis running,

This indicator comes on for a fewseconds when you turn the ignitionswitch ON (II). If it comes on at anyother time, it indicates one of theengine’s em

Your car has certain ‘‘readinesscodes’’ that are part of the on-boarddiagnostics for the emissionssystems. In some states, part of theemissions testin

Slow down by shifting to a lowergear, and pull to the side of the roadwhen it is safe. Because of thelonger distance needed to stop, it ishazardous to

All the electrical circuits in your carhave fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. Thesefuses are located in three fuse boxes.FusesTak

The interior fuse box is underneaththe dashboard on the driver’s side.To open it, turn the knob as shown.The engine compartment fuse box islocated nex

Check the smaller fuses by pullingout the fuse with the fuse pullerprovided in the interior fuse box.Remove the cover from the fusebox.Turn the igniti

Look for a burned wire inside thefuse. If it is burned, replace it withoneofthesparefusesofthesamerating or lower.If you cannot drive the car withoutf

＊＊No.CONTINUEDAmps. Circuits Protected Amps.No. Circuits Protected1234567891011121320 A20 A20 A20 A20 A40 A50 A30 A50 A30 A30 A20 A10 ADriver’s Power

＊＊No. Amps. Circuits ProtectedNo. Amps. Circuits ProtectedSpare Fuse123456789101112131410 A10 A20 A20 A20 A20 A20 A120 A60 A40 A30 A20 A20 A30 AEngine

This page briefly summarizes Acura’srecommendations on where to placea child seat in your car.The passenger’s airbag inflateswith enough force to kill

If your car gets stuck in sand, mud,or snow, call a towing service to pullit out (see page ).For very short distances such asfreeing the car, you can

−−−If your car needs to be towed, call aprofessional towing service or, if youbelong to one, an organization thatprovides roadside assistance. Neverto

Thediagramsinthissectiongiveyou the dimensions and capacities ofyour Acura, and the locations of theidentification numbers. It alsoincludes informatio

Your car has several identifyingnumbers located in various places.The Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) is the 17-digit number yourAcura dealer uses

The Transmission Number is on alabel on top of the transmission.The Engine Number is stamped onthe back left corner of the engineblock, below the rear

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Technical InformationSpecifications272DimensionsWeightsEngineCapacities174.2 in (4,425 mm)71.3 in (1,810 mm)46.1 in (1,170 mm)99.6 in (2,53

−−−−−−＊−−−−−−−−−−−−−＊Technical InformationSpecifications273FusesAlignmentTiresAir conditioningBatteryLights60 W (HB3)12 V0°20’1°30’215/40R17 83Y255/40

−The treadwear grade is a compara-tive rating based on the wear rate ofthe tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified governmenttest c

− Warning: The temperature grade forthis tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-tion

Some conventional gasolines arebeing blended with alcohol or anether compound. These gasolinesare collectively referred to asoxygenated fuels. To meet

After selecting a proper child seat,there are three main steps ininstalling the seat:All child seatsmust be secured to the car withthe lap part of a l

If you are planning to take yourAcura outside the U.S. or Canada,contact the tourist bureaus in theareas you will be traveling in to findout about the

＊＊The United States Clean Air Actsets standards for automobileemissions. It also requires thatautomobile manufacturers explain toowners how their emis

The exhaust emissions controlsinclude four systems: PGM-FI,Ignition Timing Control, ExhaustGas Recirculation and Three WayCatalytic Converter. These f

The three way catalytic convertercontains precious metals that serveas catalysts, promoting chemicalreactions to convert the exhaustgasses without aff

If you take your vehicle for a stateemissions test shortly after thebattery has been disconnected orgone dead, it may not pass the test.This is becaus

Then drive in city/suburbantraffic for at least 10 minutes.When traffic conditions allow, letthe vehicle coast for severalseconds without using theacc

Customer Relations...Information . 284...Warranty Coverages . 285Reporting Safety Defects...

When you call or write, please giveus this information:Acura dealership personnel aretrained professionals. They shouldbe able to answer all your ques

−−−−−−−−−a seatbelt that fails to function properly iscovered for the useful life of thevehicle.Your new Acura is covered by thesewarranties:provides

If you believe that your vehicle has adefect which could cause a crash orcould cause injury or death, youshould immediately inform theNational Highway

The passenger’s airbag posesserious risks to small children. If thevehicle seat is too far forward, or thechild’s head is thrown forwardduring a colli

＊＊＊−−−＊２００２ＡＣＵValid only for sales within the U.S. Canadian owners shouldcontact their authorized Acura dealer.The following publications covering the

−−−ＳＨＩＰＴＯＰＡＹＭＥＮＴThis manual describes the procedures involved in thereplacement of damaged body parts.This manual covers maintenance and recommendedpr

CONTINUEDAccessories...Installation . 139ACCESSORY (Ignition Key...Position) . 66...

...Capacities Chart . 272...Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 41...Cargo, Carrying . 141Cassette Pl

CONTINUED...Monitor Light . 51...Power Door Locks . 67...DOT Tire Quality Grading . 274Downshifti

...Fuel . 130...Fill Door and Cap . 131...Fil

CONTINUED...Jacking Up the Car . 238...Jack, Tire . 237...Jump St

Onboard Refueling Vapor...Recovery . 278...Opening the Engine Cover . 132...Opening the

CONTINUED...Seat Belts . 8...Additional Information . 34Automatic Seat Belt...

...Temperature Gauge . 53...Tensioners, Seat Belts . 35...Tether Attachment Point . 33...T

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to readthis manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls andco

To activate the lockable retractor,slowly pull the shoulder part of thebelt all the way out until it stops,then let the belt feed back into theretract

...Alignment and Balance . 212...Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 230...Folding Spare . 247...

Service Information SummaryGasoline: Tire Pressure (measured cold):Brake Fluid:6-speed Manual TransmissionFluid:SpareTirePressure:Recommended Engine O

After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part ofthe belt near the buckle and pullup to remove any slack from thelap part of the belt

To determine if a lap/shoulder beltproperly fits a child, have the childput on the seat belt. Follow theinstructions on page . Then checkhow the belt

Whichever style you select, followthe booster seat maker’s instructions.However, if the belt touches orcrosses the child’s neck, the childneeds to use

A child may continue using a boosterseat until the tops of the ears areeven with the top of the seat-back. Achild of this height should be tallenough

Move the vehicle seat to the rear-most position.Check that the child’s seat belt isproperly positioned and secured.Carefully read the owner’s manualan

Toattachatethertoyourcar:Adjust the passenger’s seat fullyforward to make room behind theseat-back.Using the measurements shown,poke a marker hole in

This seat belt has a single belt thatgoes over your shoulder, across yourchest and across your hips.Your seat belt system includes lap/shoulder belts

To deactivate the lockingmechanism, unlatch the buckle andlet the seat belt fully retract. Torefasten the belt, pull it out only asfar as needed.See p

If a seat belt is worn during a crash,it must be replaced by the dealer. Abelt that has been worn during acrash may not provide the same levelof prote

−−−−−−To help you make informeddecisions about safety, we haveprovided operating procedures andother information on labels and inthis manual. This inf

Your Supplemental Restraint System(SRS) includes:Two front airbags. The driver’sairbag is stored in the center ofthe steering wheel; the frontpassenge

After inflating, the airbagsimmediately deflate, so they won’tinterfere with the driver’s visibility,or the ability to steer or operateother controls.

ThepurposeoftheSRSlight is to alert you to apotential problem with yourSupplemental Restraint System.When you turn the ignition ON (II),this indicator

Donotattempttodeactivateyourairbags. Together, airbags andseat belts provide the bestprotection in a moderate to severefrontal collision.Do not tamper

Your car’s exhaust contains carbonmonoxide gas. You should have noproblem with carbon monoxideentering the car in normal driving ifyou maintain your c

These labels are in the locationsshown. They warn you of potentialhazards that could cause seriousinjury. Read these labels carefully.If a label comes

Safety LabelsDriver and Passenger Safety43EXPANSION TANK CAPMain MenuTable of Contents

44Main Menu

This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation ofyour Acura. All the essential controlsare within

Instruments and ControlsComponent Locations46HHOOOODDFFRROONNTTCCOOMMPPAARRTTMMEENNTTFFUUEELL FFIILLLL DDOOOORR EENNGGIINNEE CCOOMMPPAARRTTMMEENNTT TT

Your Car at a Glance2((PP..5566))HHOOOODD RREELLEEAASSEEHHAANNDDLLEEDDOOOORR LLOOCCKKSSWWIITTCCHHPPOOWWEERR WWIINNDDOOWWSSWWIITTCCHHEESSHHEEAADDLLIIGG

Control LocationsInstruments and Controls47HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTTSSWWIITTCCHH((PP..5566))HHOOOODD RREELLEEAASSEEHHAANNDDLLEEDDOOOORR LLOOCCKKSSWWIITTCCHHP

＊＊＊＊＊The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.Indicator LightsInstruments and Controls48CCRRUUIIS

The engine can be severely damagedif this light flashes or stays on whenthe engine is running. For completeinformation, see page .If this light comes

This light normally comes on whenyou turn the ignition switch ON (II)and goes off after the engine starts.If it comes on at any other time,there is a

All the lights in the monitor displaycome on for a few seconds when youturn the ignition switch ON (II). This indicator has three functions:Itcomesona

The left or right turn signal lightblinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink orblinks rapidly, it usually means oneof t

×U.S. ModelsCanadian ModelsThis shows your speed in miles perhour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometersper hour (km/h).This show

This meter shows you the batteryvoltage when the ignition is ON (II).A prolonged reading of lower than 11volts can indicate a problem with thebattery

The two pods on the steering columncontain controls for driving featuresyou use most often. The left pod hascontrols for the turn signals,headlights,

●If you leave the lights on with theignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)or LOCK (0), you will hear areminder chime when you open thedriver’s door.To chang

Your Car at a Glance3IINNSSTTRRUUMMEENNTT PPAANNEELL BBRRIIGGHHTTNNEESSSSTTIILLTT AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTTHHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTTSSRREEAARR WWIINNDDOOWWDDEEFFO

CONTINUEDThe knob on the dashboard behindthe left pod controls the brightnessof the instrument panel lights. Pushthe knob to get it to pop out. Turnth

Signal a turn or lane change with thislever. Push down on the lever tosignal a left turn, and up to signal aright turn. If you push it up or downall t

In intermittent, the wipers operateevery few seconds. You can varyhow often the wipers sweep thewindshield by turning the INT TIMEring next to the rot

Push the large red button on theright pod to turn on the hazard warn-ing lights (four-way flashers). Thiscauses all four outside turn signalsand both

To adjust the steering wheel:The lever to telescope the steeringwheel is under the steeringcolumn to the left. Push this leverall the way down.Move th

Thevaletkeyonlyworkstheignitionandthedoorlocks.Youcankeepthetrunk and glove box locked whenyou leave your car and valet key at aparking facility. (See

Youshouldalsoreceiveasmallcasecontaining a learning key. It is usedby the Acura dealer to code replace-ment keys to your car’s ImmobilizerSystem. It m

The system may not recognize yourkey’s coding if another immobilizerkey or other metal object is near theignition switch when you insert thekey. To ma

The ignition switch is on the rightside of the steering column. It hasfour positions:•LOCK(0)• ACCESSORY (I)• ON (II)• START (III)CONTINUEDAs required

− −−−If the front wheels are turned, theanti-theft lock may sometimes makeit difficult to turn the key fromLOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turnthe steering

4Main Menu

CONTINUEDEach door has a door lock switch.Either switch locks and unlocks bothdoors. Push LOCK to lock bothdoors, and the top portion of theswitch to

Youcanopenthetrunkintwoways:Press the trunk release button onthe driver’s door.Usethemasterkeytoopenthetrunk lock. The valet key does notwork in this

To protect items in the trunk whenyou need to give the key to someoneelse:Give the person the valet key.Lock the glove box with themaster key.Disable

Open the glove box by squeezing thehandle. Close it with a firm push.Lock or unlock the glove box withthe master key.The glove box light comes on only

−You can adjust the power seats withthe ignition switch in any position.Adjust the seat-back angle bypushing the rear switch in thedirection you want

Each window has its own controlswitch. To open the window, pushthe switch down and hold it. Releasethe switch when you want thewindow to stop. Close t

−The master control panel also con-tains these extra features:To open the driver’swindow fully, push the windowswitch firmly down and release it.The w

Your Acura’s roof panel has a singlerelease handle on each side, makingit easy to remove and install. Whennot in use, the roof panel can bestored in a

Open both windows.Turn off the engine and set theparking brake.Release each side of the roof bypushing the lock tab sideways andpulling down the relea

Pull up the roof cover release leverand raise the roof cover.Put the hook around the edge ofthe roof cover to hold it up.Unsnap the hook end of the st

This section gives you importantinformation about how to protectyourself and your passenger. Itshows you how to use seat beltsproperly. It explains yo

Lift the roof straight up off the car.Since the roof must go in theholder backwards, it isrecommended that you carry itaround to the opposite side of

If the wind noise is unpleasant whileyou are driving with the roof panelremoved, you can reduce the noiseby inserting a plug in the holelocated at eac

Set the roof in place on the car.Make sure all four corners aresitting flush with the car body.Secure the roof by turning eachrelease lever until the

Dust is the main cause of creaks orother sounds coming from the roof.Regularly clean the roof panel andbody seals with glass cleaner and asoft cloth.E

When the seals are new, the glasswill seal more tightly if you openthe door slightly before closingthe window.Never store any items other thanthe roof

Push the appropriate edge of theadjustment switch to move themirrorright,left,up,ordown.When you finish, move theselector switch to the center (off)po

Press and hold the MIN. buttonuntil the numbers advance to thedesired time.You can use the RESET button toquickly set the time to the nearesthour. If

The coin holder is located in thefronthalfoftheconsolecompartment lid. Open the coinholder by lifting up on the middle ofthe armrest pad.To open the c

Be careful when you are using thebeverage holder. A spilled liquid thatis very hot can scald you or yourpassenger. Spilled liquids can alsodamage the

This light stays on for a few secondsafter you close the door.Each door has a light near the backedge. This light comes on wheneverthe door is open.Th

You’ll find many safetyrecommendations throughout thissection, and throughout this manual.Therecommendationsonthispageare the ones we consider to be t

...Climate Control System . 88...Fully-automatic Operation . 89...Semi-automatic Operation . 91...Air Conditioning Swi

The automatic climate controlsystem in your Acura picks theproper combination of air condi-tioning, heating, and ventilation tomaintain the interior t

The climate control system draws airthrough the exterior vents at thebottom of the windshield. Keepthese vents clear of leaves and otherdebris.For the

In cold weather, the fan will notcome on automatically until thevehicle has been driven for a shorttime and the heater starts to developwarm air.When

CONTINUEDYou can manually select variousfunctions of the Climate Controlsystem when it is in FULL AUTO.All other features remain auto-matically contro

The main air flow comes outof the dashboard and door vents.Close the door vents when using theair conditioning or the windows mayfog up.Use the MODE b

CONTINUEDThe main air flow comesfrom the floor vents.The main air flow is dividedbetween the dashboard/door ventsand the floor vents.Comfort and Conve

The main air flow is dividedbetween the floor vents andwindshield defroster vents.Climate Control SystemComfort and Convenience Features94Main MenuTab

∼∼CONTINUEDThe button directs the mainair flow to the windshield for fasterdefrosting. It also overrides anyMODE selection you may have made.To defros

The and buttonsselect the source of air going into theclimate control system.draws fresh air from outside.draws air into the systemfrom the car’s inte