cooling Acura RSX 2002 User Guide

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see page ). 235
187
Pre-T ow Checklist
Additional Trailer Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving190

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .194
.
Important Safety Precautions . 195
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 196
...
Required Maintenance Record . 203
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Fluid Locations .206
......................................
Engine Oil .207
..................................
Adding Oil .207
....................
Recommended Oil .207
..............................
Synthetic Oil .209
....................................
Additives .209
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 209
.............................
Cooling System .212
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 212
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
.......................
Transmission Fluid .217
Automatic .........................
Transmission .217
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 219
............................
Brake System .220
...........................
Clutch System .220
..............................
Power Steering .221
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
....................................
Hood Latch .224 ....................................
Spark Plugs .224
..............................
Replacement .224
............................
Specif ications .226
...........................................
Battery .226
.................................
Wiper Blades .229
..............
Air Conditioning System . 231
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 232
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...............................................
Tires .235
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
.............................
Tire Rotation .238
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 239
......................
Wheels and Tires .240
..........................
Winter Driving .240
.............................
Snow Tires .241
............................
Tire Chains .241
.............................................
Lights .242
.....................
Headlight Aiming .244
........................
Replacing Bulbs .244
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
306
Maintenance
Maint enance193

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
This coolant should always be a
mixtureof 50percentantifreezeand
50 percent water. Never add straight
antif reeze or plain water. Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance212
M M
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INN
M
M
A
AX
X
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Make sure the engine and
radiator are cool.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents. 6.
5. 4.
2.
3. 1.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance213
R RA
A D
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IAA T
TO
OR R C
CAA P
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R
REES
SE ER
RV V E
E T
TA
A N
NK K

Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Remove the cover under the
radiator.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn the ignition
off.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
Replacing Engine Coolant
214
C CO
OV VE
ER
R

CONT INUED
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator. Remove the clip, then remove the
reserve tank drain cap. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.
Install the reserve tank drain cap
and clip.
5.
6.
7.8.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance215
F FI
ILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
C
CL LIIPP
D
D R
RAA I
INN
C
CA A P
P
D
D R
RAA I
INN P
PL
LUUG G
F
Fiillll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
f or f uel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
9.
11. 10.
12.
13. 14.
15.
16. 17.
With automatic transmission:
Manual Transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
216
1.35 US gal (5.1, 1.12 Imp gal)
1.32 US gal (5.0
, 1.10 Imp gal)

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
290
CONT INUED
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance231
A AI
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COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them. Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.

To replace it:Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way.
The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual. The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing up on the lock
tab, then pivoting up the cover.
1. 2.
U.S. : All models
Canada : Premium and Type-S Optional on RSX Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance232
H H
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OO OKKSS
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TA
A B
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If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed272
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.