Interpretation ID: nht90-1.74

TYPE: Interpretation-NHTSA

DATE: March 16, 1990

FROM: Brian Gill -- Senior Manager, Certification Department, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

TO: Barbara A. Kurtz -- Office of Market Incentives, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 7-13-90 to B. Gill from B. Felrice; (A35; Part 543)

TEXT:

In accordance with the requirements of Part 543, "Exemption from Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard", section 543.9 "Terminating or modifying an exemption", Honda Motor Co., Ltd. hereby submits its petition to modify the exemption granted by NHTSA for the Acura NS-X carline for model year 1991.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. hereby requests permission to use an antitheft device similar to, but different from the standard equipment antitheft device which would have been installed under the current exemption. Please note that no vehicles of this carline have yet been manufactured. We request that NHTSA approve the modification of this exemption by April 2, 1990 since we plan to use the modified antitheft device in all production vehicles.

Enclosed are revised pages for the system description showing how the system would be changed. The revised page 3 has been changed to show that the system can be armed by using the auto door lock system control to lock either door. Previously, it was n ecessary to use the control on the driver's door in order to arm the system. We believe that this improvement makes the system more convenient to use.

The second change is to include the radio in the alarm system. The revised page 5 shows that when the radio is removed the alarm system will be activated if the radio terminal is disconnected, if the wiring is cut or if the coupler is disconnected. Pag es 20 and 21 have also been revised to show this change. This change does not affect the operation of the vehicle theft deterrent system as described in our original petition but it does provide additional security for the radio receiver.

Please call me if you have any questions or if you need additional information.

(Enclosure) NS-X is equipped with an auto door lock system as standard equipment. This system makes it possible to lock both doors simultaneously by locking either door.

Therefore, it's possible to arm the theft deterrent system by locking either door even if the other door is left unlocked.

Additional explanations:

It is possible to arm the theft deterrent system by using the door button

without using a key. When the driver's door button is pushed down, passenger's door button will be pushed down automatically. Then, the driver's door is closed, the system will be armed. However, it's necessary to make sure that the driver's door button has been pushed down when arming the system by using the passenger's door button.

(diagram omitted)

This system incorporates a security indicator light located on the driver's door lining as a visual check of the arming condition.

(diagram omitted)

3-2 Activation of the system:

If any of the following conditions occur, the horns will sound, headlights pop up and flash and sidemarker lamps, position lamps and tail lamps will flash for about 2 minutes.

1. Door is opened forcibly. 2. Engine hood is opened. 3. Trunk lid is opened without using the key. 4. Front hood is opened. 5. Battery terminal(s) is removed and reconnected. 6. Engine starter circuit and battery circuit are bypassed by breaking the ignition switch. 7. Front hood/engine hood/trunk lid opener in the vehicle is operated.

8. Radio is removed; a. The radio terminal is disconnected by removing the attaching screw.

b. The wiring is cut. c. The coupler is disconnected.

(Diagrams omitted)