ECU Acura RSX 2002 Owner's Guide

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Heating and Cooling .102
...............
Temperature Sensors . 108
Audio System (All models ......................
except Type-S) .109
....
AM/FM/CD Audio System . 109
.................
Operating the Radio . 109
.................
Adjusting the Sound . 113
..............................
Digital Clock .114
............
Audio System Lighting . 115
.........
Operating the CD Player . 115
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Operating the CD Changer . 117
....
CD Player Error Indications . 119
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .120
Operating the Cassette .....................................
Player .121
............
Tape Search Functions . 123
.................
Caring f or Cassettes . 124
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Audio System (Type S) . 125
AM/FM/Cassette/ .
CD Changer Audio System . 125
.................
Operating the Radio . 126
.................
Adjusting the Sound . 129
..............................
Digital Clock .130
............
Audio System Lighting . 131
....................
Radio Frequencies . 131........................
Radio Reception .131
Operating the Cassette .....................................
Player .133
............
Tape Search Functions . 134
Caring f or the Cassette .....................................
Player .137
Loading CDs in the .................................
Changer .139
...................................
Operation .141
Removing CDs from the .................................
Changer .143
.......
Protecting Compact Discs . 145
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .146
.......................
Thef t Protection .147
............................
Security System .148
...............................
Cruise Control .149
Comf ort and Convenience Features
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures101

Once the security system is set,
opening either door (without using
the key or the remote transmitter),
or the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
The security system sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and hatch. The
security system indicator on the
instrument panel starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself . The security system will not set if
the hood, hatch, or either door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door Open Indicator on
the instrument panel (see page ),
toseeif thedoorsarefullyclosed.
Since they are not part of the
monitor display, manually check the
hood and hatch.
The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
alarm stops. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either door with the
key or the remote transmitter.
61
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures148
S SE
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Y S
SYYSSTTE
EM
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LIIGGH HT
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To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
fender,thenletitdrop.
Afterclosingthehood,makesureit
is securely latched.
Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
theleftsideof thehood.
If you can open the hood without
lifting the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
3.
224
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving158
S SU
UP PP
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ROOD D

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Besureitemsplacedonthefloor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If the lid is open, a
passenger could injure their knees
during a crash or sudden stop.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer.
To f igure out how much cargo you
can carry:
Add up the weight of all occupants.
If you are towing a trailer, add the
tongue weight to the number
above.
The f inal number is the total weight
of cargo you can carry. Subtract the total f rom 700 lbs
(325 kg).
The maximum load for your car is
700 lbs (325 kg).
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving165
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8.
7. 6. 5.
4. 10.
11.
12.
16
86
95 74 169
59
Preparing to Drive
Driving168

The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and
how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains. Make sure
they are secured to both the trailer
and hitch, and that they cross under
the tongue so they can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched.
Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do
not let the chains drag on the ground.
Checking L oads
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
Driving188

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

CONT INUED
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your car f or as
long as you own it.
A dding Oil
Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance207
A AP
PI
IC
CE ER
RT TI
IFFI ICCA A T
TI
IOON N S
SEEA
A L
L
E
E
N
NG GIINNE E O
OIILL F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If it
is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have the
transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 5.
6.
4. 3.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance218
U UP PP
PE
ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
CONT INUED
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Manual Transmission
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance219
F FI ILLL LEE R
R B
BOOL LTT
C
Co
or
rrreec ctt l
leev veell