Acura NSX 2002 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 owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i

A Few Words About Safety................................................................................................................. ii

Your Car at a Glance ...........................................................................................................................2

Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................5

Proper use and care of your car's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.

Instruments and Controls................................................................................................................. 45

Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.

Comfort and Convenience Features ................................................................................................87

How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.

Before Driving..................................................................................................................................129

What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

Driving .............................................................................................................................................. 145

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.

Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................167

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the dealer.

Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................227

Tips on cleaning and protecting your car. Things to look for if your car ever needs body repairs.

Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................235

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.

Technical Information..................................................................................................................... 269

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................283

A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................287

How to order manuals and other technical literature.

Index...................................................................................................................................................... I

Service Information Summary

A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Contents

Owner’s Identification

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OWNER

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

POSTAL CODE

V. I. N.

DELIVERY DATE

(Date sold to original retail purchaser)

DEALER NAME DEALER NO.

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

POSTAL CODE

OWNER’S SIGNATURE

DEALER’S SIGNATURE

This Owner’s Manual should be considered a permanent part of the vehicle, and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.

This Owner’s Manual covers all models of the Acura NSX. You may find descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your particular model.

The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatsoever.

Introduction

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Congratulations on your selection of the 2002 Acura NSX. We are certain you will be pleased with your purchase of one of the most sophisticated and technologically-advanced sports cars in the world.

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner’s manual in your car so you can refer to it at any time.

Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment. When your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer’s staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura. Your Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING:

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of

As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Acura, other property, or the environment.

AFewWordsAboutSafety

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Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And operating this car safely is an important responsibility.

To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with operating or maintaining your car. You must use your own good judgement.

You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including:

Safety Labels Safety Messages

three signal words: , , or . These signal words mean:

Safety Headings

Safety Precautions.

Safety Section Instructions

This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it carefully.

−

on the car.

−

preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of

DANGER WARNING CAUTION

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

−

such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

−

such as Driver and Passenger Safety.

−

how to use this car correctly and safely.

−

Your Car at a Glance

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HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTT SSWWIITTCCHH ((PP..5566))

HHOOOODD RREELLEEAASSEE HHAANNDDLLEE ((PP..113355))

DDOOOORR LLOOCCKK SSWWIITTCCHH ((PP..6677))

PPOOWWEERR WWIINNDDOOWW SSWWIITTCCHHEESS ((PP..7722))

MMIIRRRROORR CCOONNTTRROOLLSS ((PP..8811))

TTRRUUNNKK RREELLEEAASSEE BBUUTTTTOONN ((PP..6688))

TTUURRNN SSIIGGNNAALL LLEEVVEERR ((PP..5588))

FFUUEELL FFIILLLL DDOOOORR RREELLEEAASSEE ((PP..113311))

WWIINNDDSSHHIIEELLDD WWIIPPEERR CCOONNTTRROOLLSS ((PP..5599))

SSHHIIFFTT LLOOCCKK RREELLEEAASSEE ((PP..115566)) ((AAuuttoommaattiicc ttrraannssmmiissssiioonn oonnllyy))

HHAAZZAARRDD WWAARRNNIINNGG SSWWIITTCCHH ((PP..6600))

DDIIGGIITTAALL CCLLOOCCKK ((PP..8822))

AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICC CCLLIIMMAATTEE CCOONNTTRROOLL ((PP..8888))

AAUUDDIIOO SSYYSSTTEEMM ((PP..9988))

SSEEAATT AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTT SSWWIITTCCHHEESS ((PP..7711))

Your Car at a Glance

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IINNSSTTRRUUMMEENNTT PPAANNEELL BBRRIIGGHHTTNNEESSSS ((PP..5577))

HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTTSS ((PP..5566))

RREEAARR WWIINNDDOOWW DDEEFFOOGGGGEERR ((PP..5577))

TTUURRNN SSIIGGNNAALLSS TTEELLEESSCCOOPPEE ((PP..5588))

AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTT ((PP..6611))

TTCCSS OONN//OOFFFF SSWWIITTCCHH ((PP..116633))

HHAAZZAARRDD WWAARRNNIINNGG LLIIGGHHTT ((PP..6600))

CCRRUUIISSEE CCOONNTTRROOLL MMAASSTTEERR SSWWIITTCCHH ((PP..6600))

WWIINNDDSSHHIIEELLDD WWIIPPEERRSS// WWAASSHHEERRSS ((PP..5599))

HHOORRNN BBUUTTTTOONNSS

TTIILLTT AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTT ((PP..6611))

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Driver and Passenger Safety

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This section gives you important information about how to protect yourself and your passenger. It shows you how to use seat belts properly. It explains your Supplemental Restraint System. And it tells you how to properly restrain children in your car.

.........Important Safety Precautions . 6

.............Your Car’s Safety Features . 7

.......................................Seat Belts . 8

...........................................Airbags . 9

.....................Seats & Seat-Backs . 10

..........................Head Restraints . 10

..................................Door Locks . 10

........Pre-Drive Safety Checklist . 11

............................Protecting Adults . 12

.....1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12

...........2. Adjust the Front Seats . 12

............3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 13

4. Fasten and Position the Seat

.....................................Belts . 15

....5. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 16

6. Maintain a Proper Sitting

................................Position . 16

.....Advice for Pregnant Women . 17

........................Protecting Children . 19

All Children Must Be

...............................Restrained . 19

Your Car is Not Recommended

..............for Child Passengers . 20

The Passenger’s Airbag Poses

......Serious Risks to Children . 20

...Additional Safety Precautions . 18

.....Additional Safety Precaution . 22

General Guidelines for Using

...............................Child Seats . 22

.........Protecting Small Children . 26

.......Protecting Larger Children . 29

Using Child Seats with

.....................................Tethers . 33

Additional Information About Your

.................................Seat Belts . 34

..Seat Belt System Components . 34

......................Lap/Shoulder Belt . 34

How the Automatic Seat Belt

....................Tensioners Work . 35

...............Seat Belt Maintenance . 35

Additional Information About Your

...........................................SRS . 36

........................SRS Components . 36

...........How Your Airbags Work . 36

How the SRS Indicator Light

.......................................Works . 39

..................................SRS Service . 40

...Additional Safety Precautions . 40

.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 41

...................................Safety Labels . 42

Driver and Passenger Safety

Important Safety Precautions

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You’ll find many safety recommendations throughout this section, and throughout this manual. Therecommendationsonthispage are the ones we consider to be the most important.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags supplement seat belts, but airbags are designed to inflate only in a moderate to severe frontal collision. So even though your car is equipped with airbags, make sure you and your passenger always wear your seat belts, and wear them properly. (See page ).

Your Car is Not Recommended for Child Passengers

Since all children are safest in the back seat of a car, and your car does not have a back seat, we recommend that you do not carry a child passenger.

Due to the passenger’s

airbag hazard, you should never carry an infant in a rear-facing child seat in this car.

If a small child who must be restrained in a forwardfacing child seat, or a larger child, must ride in this car, be sure to follow all instructions and safety warnings in this manual. (See pages

and .)

26 29

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards

While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in this manual. (See page

Don’t Drink and Drive

Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with

every additional drink. So don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends drink and drive, either.

Control Your Speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher the speed the greater the risk, but serious accidents can also occur at lower speeds. Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum speed posted.

Keep Your Car in Safe Condition

Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous. To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance. (See page .)

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Driver and Passenger Safety

((11)) ((44))

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((33))

((99))

((66))

Your Car’s Safety Features

Your car is equipped with many features that work together to protect you and your passenger during a crash.

((88))

((22))

((77))

((22))

((55))

((11)) SSaaffeettyy CCaaggee ((22)) CCrruusshh ZZoonneess ((33)) SSeeaattss && SSeeaatt--BBaacckkss ((44)) HHeeaadd RReessttrraaiinnttss ((55)) CCoollllaappssiibbllee SStteeeerriinngg CCoolluummnn ((66)) SSeeaatt BBeellttss ((77)) SSeeaatt BBeelltt TTeennssiioonneerrss ((88)) AAiirrbbaaggss ((99)) DDoooorr LLoocckkss

Some safety features do not require anyactiononyourpart.These include a strong aluminum framework that forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment; front and rear crush zones that are designed to crumple and absorb energy during a crash; a collapsible steering column; and seat belt tensioners that automatically tighten the seat belts in the event of a crash. These safety features are designed to reduce the severity of injuries in a crash. However, you and your passenger can’t take full advantage of these safety features unless you remain sitting in a proper position

always wear your seat belts

and

properly.

features can contribute to injuries if they are not used properly.

In fact, some safety

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car’s Safety Features

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Seat Belts

Foryoursafety,andthesafetyof your passenger, your car is equipped with seat belts in both seating positions.

Your seat belt system also

includes a light on the instrument panel to remind you and your passenger to fasten your seat belts.

Why Wear Seat Belts

Seat belts have proven to be the singlemosteffectivesafetydevice.

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even though your car has airbags.

In addition, most states and all Canadian provinces require you to wear seat belts.

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even if you have airbags.

Be sure you and your passenger always wear seat belts and wear them properly.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Keep you connected to the vehicle so you can take advantage of the car’s built-in safety features.

Help protect you in almost every type of crash, including side and rear impacts and rollovers. (Your airbag can only be helpful in a moderate to severe frontal collision.)

Help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the vehicle and against other occupants.

Keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good position should the airbags ever deploy. A good position reduces the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, and allows you to get the best advantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash.Butinmostcases,seatbelts can reduce your risk of serious injury.

What you should do:

Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car’s Safety Features

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Airbags

Your car has a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with frontal airbags to help protect the driver and a passenger.

This system also includes

an indicator light on the instrument panel to alert you to a possible problem with the system.

The most important things you need to know about your airbags are:

Airbags do not replace seat belts.

The seat belts are the occupants’ primary protection in all types of collisions. Airbags supplement seat belts by providing extra protection for occupants’ heads and chests.

Airbags offer no protection in side impacts, rear impacts, rollovers, or minor collisions.

Airbags are designed to deploy only during a moderate to severe frontal collision.

Airbags can pose serious hazards.

To do their job, airbags must inflate with tremendous force and speed. So while airbags save lives, theycancauseseriousinjuriesto adults and larger children who are not wearing seat belts, are not wearing them properly, are sitting too close to the airbag, or are not sitting in a proper position. Infants and small children are at an even greater risk of injury or death.

What you should do:

Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel or dashboard.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car’s Safety Features

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Seats & Seat-Backs Door Locks

Your car’s seats are designed to keep you in a comfortable, upright position so you can take full

What you should do:

as far back as possible, and keep adjustable seat-backs in an upright

position whenever the car is moving. advantage of the protection offered by seat belts and the energy absorbing materials in the seats.

Head Restraints

Head restraints can help protect you

from whiplash and other injuries.

Move the seats

Keeping your doors locked reduces thechanceofbeingthrownoutof the car during a crash. It also helps prevent occupants from accidentally opening a door and falling out, and outsiders from unexpectedly opening

your doors. How you adjust your seats and seatbacks can also affect your safety. For example, sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard increases the risk of you or your passenger being injured by striking theinsideofthecar,orbyan inflating airbag.

Reclining a seat-back too far reduces the seat belt’s effectiveness and increases the chance that the seat’s occupant will slide under the seat belt in a crash and be seriously injured.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car’s Safety Features

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Pre-Drive Safety Checklist

To make sure you and your passenger get the maximum protection from your car’s safety features, check the following each time before you drive away:

You and any adult passenger, or a larger child who has outgrown child seats, are wearing your seat belts and wearing them properly (see page ).15

A small child riding in a forwardfacing child seat is properly restrained (see page ).

Occupants are sitting upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard (see page ).

Seat-backs are upright (see page

Both doors are closed and locked (see page ).

All cargo is properly stored or secured (see page ).

141

The rest of this section gives more detailed information about how you can maximize your safety.

Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that can occur in severe crashes, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags deploy.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Introduction Adjust the Front Seats

The following pages provide instructions on how to properly protect adult occupants.

These instructions also apply to a child whom you have decided is large enough and mature enough to ride as a passenger. (See page for

Your car has a door monitor light on the instrument panel to indicate when a specific door is not tightly

closed. important additional guidelines on how to properly protect larger children.)

For safety, locking the doors reduces

the chance that a passenger,

especially a child, will open a door

Close and Lock the Doors1.

After everyone has entered the car, be sure the doors are closed and locked.

while the car is moving and

accidentally fall out. It also reduces

the chance of someone being thrown

out of the car during a crash.

Any driver who sits too close to the steering wheel is at risk of being seriously injured or killed by striking

the steering wheel, or from being For security, locked doors can prevent an outsider from

struck by an inflating airbag during a

crash. unexpectedly opening a door when you come to a stop. See page for how to lock the

doors.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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To reduce the chance of injury, wear your seat belt properly, sit upright with your back against the seat, and movetheseatawayfromthe steering wheel to the farthest distance that allows you to maintain full control of the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that drivers adjust the seat so the center of the chest is at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel. Also make sure your front seat passenger moves the seat as far to the rear as possible.

Sitting too close to an airbag can result in serious injury or death if the airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the airbags as possible.

Most shorter drivers can get far

enough away from the steering

wheel and still reach the pedals.

However, if you are concerned about

sitting too close, we recommend that

you investigate whether some type

of adaptive equipment may help.

Once your seat is adjusted correctly,

rock it back and forth to make sure

the seat is locked in position.

See page for how to adjust the

seats.

Adjust the Seat-Backs3.

Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a

comfortable, upright position,

leaving ample space between your

chest and the airbag cover in the

center of the steering wheel. If you

sit too close to the steering wheel,

you could be injured if the airbag

inflates.

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Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the occupant’s chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury.

Reclining the seat-back too far can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an upright position and sit well back in the seat.

A passenger should also adjust the seat-back to an upright position, but as far from the dashboard as possible. A passenger who sits too close to the dashboard could be injured if the airbag inflates.

Driver and Passenger Safety

See page for how to adjust seat-

backs.

Fasten and Position the Seat

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4. Belts

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the belt is securely latched. Also check that the belt is not twisted, because a twisted belt can cause serious injuries in a crash.

Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across your hips, then pull up on the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove any slack from the shoulder part, then check that the belt rests across the center of your chest and over your shoulder. This

Protecting Adults

spreads the forces of a crash over the strongest bones in your upper body.

Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.

Never place the shoulder portion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back.

very serious injuries in a crash.

This could cause

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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If a seat belt does not seem to work as it should, it may not protect the occupant in a crash.

sit in a seat with an inoperative seat belt.

Anyone using a seat belt that is not working properly can be seriously injured or killed. Have your Acura dealer check the belt as soon as possible. See page for additional

information about your seat belt system and how to take care of your belts.

No one should

Adjust the Steering Wheel Maintain a Proper Sitting

5. 6. Position

After occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their seats, with their feet on the floor, until the car is parked and the engine is off.

Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits

forward, leans forward or sideways, Adjust the steering wheel, if needed, so that the wheel points toward your chest, not toward your face.

or puts one or both feet up, the

chance of injury during a crash is

greatly increased.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Pointing the steering wheel toward your chest provides optimal protection from the airbag.

See page for how to adjust the

steering wheel.

In addition, an occupant who is out of

position can be seriously or fatally

injured by striking interior parts of

thecar,orbybeingstruckbyan

inflating airbag.

Protecting Adults

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Sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright, well back in the seat, with your feet on the floor.

Remember, to get the best protection from your car’s airbags and other safety features, you must sit properly and wear your seat belt properly.

Advicefor Pregnant Women

Because protecting the mother is the best way to protect her unborn child, a pregnant woman should always wear a seat belt whenever she drives or rides in a vehicle.

Remember to keep the lap portion of the belt as low as possible across your hips.

Pregnant women should also sit

upright and as far back as possible

from the steering wheel or

dashboard. This will reduce the risk

of injuries to both the mother and

her unborn child that can be caused

by a crash or an inflating airbag.

Each time you have a check-up, ask

your doctor if it’s okay for you to

drive.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Additional Safety Precautions

same seat belt.

If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

Do not put any accessories on seat belts.

Devices intended to improve occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can severely compromise the protective capability of the seat belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and an airbag.Two people should never use the

Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your airbags inflate.

Do not attach or place objects on the airbag covers. Any object attached to or placed on the covers marked ‘‘SRSAIRBAG,’’ 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.

Keep your hands and arms away from the airbag covers.

If your hands or arms are close to the airbag covers in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, they could be injured if the airbags inflate.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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AllChildren Must Be Restrained

Each year, many children are injured

Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt.

Children depend on adults to protect them. However, despite their best intentions, many parents and other adults may not know how to

properly

protect young passengers. (See page

So if you have children, or if you ever need to drive with a grandchild or otherchildreninyourcar,besureto read this section.

or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state and Canadian province requires that infants and children be restrained whenever they ride in a vehicle.

Anychildwhoistoosmalltoweara seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat.

A larger child should always be restrained with a seat belt.

(See page

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Your Car is Not Recommended for Child Passengers

We strongly recommend that you do not carry any child in this car. One reason is that your car does not have a back seat, and accident statistics show that a child of any size or age is safer when they are

The Passenger’s Airbag Poses Serious Risks to Children

Airbags have been designed to help protect adults in a moderate to severe frontal collision. To do this, the passenger’s airbag is quite large, and it inflates with tremendous

speed. properly restrained in the back seat of a vehicle. As a result, we urge you to follow

these guidelines. In addition, your car has a passenger’s airbag which poses serious risks to children particularly infants and

−

small children.

Infants

Never put a rear-facing child seat in

the front seat of a car equipped with

a passenger’s airbag.

If the airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant.

Small Children Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat of a car equipped with a passenger’s airbag can be hazardous.

If the vehicle seat is too farforward,orthechild’sheadis thrown forward during a collision, an inflating airbag can strike the child with enough force to kill or very seriously injure a small child. If a small child must ride in this car, follow the instructions on page .

Larger Children Children who have outgrown child seats are also at risk of being injured or killed by an inflating passenger’s airbag.

this car, see page for important

If a larger child must ride in

guidelines on how to decide whether a child is large enough and mature enough to ride as a passenger, and how to properly protect the child.

Driver and Passenger Safety

U.S. Models Canadian Models

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To remind you of the passenger’s airbag hazards, your car has warning labels on the dashboard and on the driver’s and passenger’s visors. Please read and follow the

To remind you of the airbag hazards, your car has warning labels on the driver’s and passenger’s visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels.

instructions on these labels.

Protecting Children

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Additional Safety Precaution

Do not leave a child alone in your car.

Leaving a child without adult supervision is illegal in most states and Canadian provinces and can be very hazardous. For example, a small child left in a car on a hot day can die from heatstroke. A child left alone with the key in the ignition can accidentally set the car in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others.

Lock both doors and the trunk when your car is not in use.

Children who play in cars can accidentally get trapped inside the trunk. Teach your children not to play in or around cars. Know how to operate the emergency trunk opener (US models only) and decide if your children should be shown how to use this feature (see page ).

Keep car keys out of the reach of children.

Even very young children learn how to unlock vehicle doors, turn on the ignition, and open the trunk, which can lead to accidental injury or death.

General Guidelines for Using Child Seats

As discussed on page , because

your car does not have a back seat, and because of the passenger’s airbag hazard, we strongly recommend that you do not carry a small child as a passenger in this car.

However, if you must carry a small child in this car, the child must be properly restrained in a child seat.

The following pages give general guidelines for selecting and installing a child seat. See page for

additional information.

Selecting a Child Seat

To provide proper protection, a child seat should meet three requirements:

The child seat should meet safety

1. standards.

The child seat should meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213) or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (CMVSS 213). Look for the manufacturer’s statement of compliance on the box and seat.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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The child seat should be of the

2. 3. proper type and size to fit the child.

Due to variations in the design of child seats, vehicle seats, and seat belts, all child seats will not fit all seating positions in all cars.

However, Acura is confident that one or more child seat models can fit and be properly installed in this car.

Small Children:

A child who can sit up without support should be restrained in a forward-facing child seat. See page for additional

information on protecting small children.

The child seat should fit the passenger’s seat.

Before purchasing a child seat, we recommend that parents test the child seat to make sure it fits properly in the passenger’s seat. If a previously purchased child seat does not fit, you will need to buy a different onethat will fit.

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Protecting Children

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Placing a Child Seat Passenger’s Seat

This page briefly summarizes Acura’s recommendations on where to place a child seat in your car.

Infants:

Never in the passenger’s seat, due to the passenger’s airbag hazard.

The passenger’s airbag inflates with enough force to kill or seriously injure an infant in a rear-facing child seat.

A small child in a forward-facing child seat is also at risk. If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child’s head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating airbag can kill or seriously injure the child.

If a small child must ride in this car, follow the instructions provided in this section.

Airbags PoseSerious

Risks to Children

Driver and Passenger Safety

Small children:

Not recommended, due to the passenger’s airbag hazard. If a small child must ride in this car, move the vehicle seat to the rear-most position and secure a front-facing child seat with the seat belt. (see page ).27

Protecting Children

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Installing a Child Seat

After selecting a proper child seat, there are three main steps in installing the seat:

Secure the child seat tothe car

1. with a seat belt.

All child seats must be secured to the car with the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. A child whose seat is not properly secured to the car can be endangered in a crash. See page

for instructions on how to secure a forward-facing child seat in this car.

Make sure the child seat is firmly

2. secured.

After installing a child seat, push and pull the seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure.

To provide security during normal driving maneuvers as well as during a collision, we recommend that parents secure a child seat as firmly as possible.

However, a child seat does not need to be ‘‘rock solid.’’ It may be difficult to install a child seat so that it does not move at all. Some side-to-side or back-and-forth movement can be expected and should not reduce the child seat’s effectiveness.27

Secure the child in the child seat.

Make sure the child is properly strappedinthechildseat according to the child seat maker’s instructions. A child who is not properly secured in a child seat canbethrownoutoftheseatina crash and be seriously injured.

Storing a Child Seat

When you are not using a child seat, either remove it and store it in a safe place, or make sure it is properly secured. An unsecured child seat can be thrown around the car during a crash or sudden stop and injure someone.

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Protecting Small Children

The passenger’s airbag poses serious risks to small children. If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child’s head is thrown forward during a collision, or the child is unrestrained or improperly restrained, an inflating airbag can kill or seriously injure the child.

For these reasons, we recommend that you do not carry a small child as a passenger.

If you decide to carry a small child in this car, follow the instructions and guidelines below.

Child Seat Type

A child who can sit up without support, and who fits within the child seat maker’s weight and height limits, should be restrained in a forward-facing, upright child seat.

Of the different seats available, we recommend those that have a fivepoint harness system as shown.

We also recommend that a small child stay in the child seat as long as possible, until the child reaches the weight or height limit for the seat.

Improperly placing a forwardfacing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or death if the airbags inflate.

Ifyoumustplaceaforwardfacing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible and properly restrain the child.

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Child Seat Installation

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The passenger’s seat belt has a locking mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat.

The following pages provide instructions and tips on how to secure a forward-facing child seat with this type of seat belt.

Move the vehicle seat to the rear-

1. most position. Moving the seat as far back as possible reduces the chance of a child being injured or killed if the passenger’s airbag inflates. (See page for

instructions on how to adjust the seat.)

With the child seat in position,

2. 3. route the belt through the child seat according to the seat maker’s instructions, then insert the latch plate into the buckle.

Protecting Children

To activate the lockable retractor, slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops, then let the belt feed back into the retractor (you might hear a clicking noise as the belt retracts).

After the belt has retracted, tug on it. If the belt is locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you can pull the belt out, it is not locked and you will need to repeat these steps.

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Driver and Passenger Safety

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Acura NSX 2002 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

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User Manual