Acura Authorized Service

Maintenance Guide
Keep your Acura running like new. Between Maintenance Schedule items, periodically check the following items:

Engine oil (orange loop dipstick) - Weekly or when you stop for gas. Add oil if the level is below the lower mark.

Engine coolant - Weekly or when you stop for gas. Check the reserve tank; don't remove the radiator cap - the fluid is hot and may gush out.

Windshield washer fluid (blue cap) - Monthly. Frequent users should check each time they get gas.

Automatic transmission fluid (yellow loop dipstick) - Monthly

Brake fluid (large gray cap) - Monthly. Low brake fluid could indicate a problem. Take your Acura to a dealer for service immediately.

Clutch fluid (small gray cap, manual transmission only) - Monthly

Power steering fluid (red cap) - Monthly

Tires - Monthly. Check pressure. Check tread for uneven or excessive wear and foreign objects.

Battery - Monthly. Check condition (level of fluid or color of the indicator). Check terminals for corrosion.

Air conditioning - Weekly. Turn it on for a short time.

Lights - Monthly. Check them all -- head, tail, parking, and brake lights, high-mount brake light, turn signals, back up and license plate lights.

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Service Location Choices
Our authorized dealers know your vehicle inside and out, and can provide competent, efficient service. However, service at a dealer is not required to keep your warranties in effect. You may service your car with any qualified service facility or person. Just be sure to keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service technician fill out the Maintenance Record. Refer to your warranty booklet for more information.

Many after-market repair services, such as the mass-marketers (chain stores), hire non-Acura-trained people to work on your high-technology vehicle. Generally speaking, their Acura product knowledge is minimal.

Some ex-dealership technicians open their own independent shops and specialize in that brand of vehicle. However, their "factory" training is usually several years old, so their technical knowledge of current model vehicles will not be as good as the local dealer's technicians, who routinely receive new model training from Acura. Acura parts and fluids are manufactured to the same high-quality standards as the original components, and we recommend the use of them every time you have maintenance performed.

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Gasoline Selection and "Detergent Gasoline"
In general, Acura recommends that you buy gasoline from high-volume, major name-brand stations.

To prevent the build up of deposits inside your engine and fuel system, it is important to choose fuels that contain effective detergent additives. The detergency of some US gasoline is insufficient to provide protection from such deposits. Acura recommends the use of "Top Tier Detergent Gasoline," where available. Gasoline brands with this designation meet new, voluntary standards and have demonstrated their ability to keep engines clean through a series of demanding tests. Significantly, Top Tier Detergent Gasoline does not contain MMT, a metallic additive that creates deposits in your engine and exhaust system; (see the MMT explanation below). Fuel brands that have achieved the Top Tier Detergent Gasoline designation can be identified through their marketing campaigns, and/or by fueling station signage.

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Oil Selection
It is very important to choose an oil displaying the "Starburst" certification symbol, shown at left. This symbol indicates that the oil meets the latest performance requirements set by the automotive and oil industries. Oil bearing the Starburst will provide superior performance in the areas of deposit and sludge protection, wear protection, and oil life. These oils will also protect the environment by extending the life of your emissions system and conserving energy through better fuel economy.

Acura recommends the use of Honda Genuine oil for your vehicle. This oil meets the Starburst performance requirements listed above, but is also subjected to a series of Acura-specific tests to guarantee optimum performance and compatibility with your Acura vehicle.

Lighter oils flow easier once the cold engine starts, bringing vital lubrication to moving parts. Refer to your Owner's Manual to determine the proper weight (viscosity) grade for your Acura. Your vehicle was designed to use this specific weight grade. Confirm that the weight listed on your oil's label matches this recommendation exactly before using it in your engine.

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Brake Squeal and 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".

Occasional noise can be caused by the light application of brakes for a prolonged distance before stopping, or from high relative humidity. These are normally temporary and are considered normal brake noises not requiring repair.

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Battery
Check your battery terminals periodically. If they're covered with white or yellowish powder, they're corroded. Clean them with a solution of baking soda and water. Once the corrosion is gone, keep it away by coating the terminals with grease.

Consider the effects of weather. Extremely hot and cold weather put extra strain on your battery. Before winter and summer are too far advanced, ask your Acura dealer to check your battery. If a battery check reveals less than optimal power, consider replacing it before it becomes a problem.

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New Acura break-in period
You can help assure your vehicle's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles (1,000 kilometers). During this period:

• Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration.
• Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 km).