fuel Acura RSX 2002 Owner's Guide

The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Genuine Acura replacement parts or
their equivalent f or repairs. Using
lower quality parts may increase the
emissions f rom your car.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your car. Read your
warranty manual for more inf orma-
tion.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control and Three
Way Catalytic Converter. These
three systems work together to
control the engine’s combustion and
minimize the amount of HC, CO, and
NOx that comes out the tailpipe. The
exhaust emissions control systems
are separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems. The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Engine Control Module (ECM)
or the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much f uel to inject under all operat-
ing conditions.
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO and NOx produced.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), dinitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Replacement Parts
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Exhaust Emissions ControlsPGM-FI Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
T echnical Inf ormation
Emissions Cont rols
297

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .161
............
Emergencies on the Road . 261
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 270
...........
Brake System Indicator . 278
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
.....
Charging System Indicator . 275
..................
Checking the Fuses . 281
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 274
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 276
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 279
..................
Overheated Engine . 272
...........................
Emergency Brake .95
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .285 .......................
Emissions Controls .296
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 299
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
.................................
Drive Belts .234
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .61, 276
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 61,274
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 207
...............................
Overheating .272
............................
Specif ications .290
.......................................
Starting .169
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .294
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 296
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .25
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 254
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .257
...................................
Fan, Interior .102
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .101
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 156Filters
................................
Air Cleaner .222
...............................................
Oil .209
Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 219
................................
Shif ting the .170
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 263
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..........................................
Brake .219
.........................................
Clutch .220
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
..........................
Power Steering .221
..................
Windshield Washer . 216
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .126
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 295
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 292
Downshif ting, 5-speed and 6-speed ..............
Manual Transmission . 170
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .167
....................................
Economy .161
.........................
In Bad Weather .184
................
In Foreign Countries . 295
Index
E
F
III

.................................................
Fuel .155
......................
Fill Door and Cap .156
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 155
...............................
Oxygenated .294
........................
Reserve Indicator .62
........................
Tank, Filling the .156
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .280
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 161
..........................................
Gasohol .294
.........................................
Gasoline .155
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 62
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 155
........................
Tank, Filling the .156
................
Gas Station Procedures . 156
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .67
...............................
Speedometer .66
.................................
Tachometer .66
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 1735-speed and 6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .170
..............................
Glass Cleaning .258
........................................
Glove Box .84
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 288
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .75
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System . 297
........................
Immobilizer System .76
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument .............................................
Panel .59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .21
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
.........................................
LATCH .42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 235
...................................
Inside Mirror .94
.............................
Inspection, Tire .236
........................
Instrument Panel .2, 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 70
...........................
Interior Cleaning .256
.................................
Interior Lights .99
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 244
................................................
Hatch .80
.................................
Opening the .80
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 73
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .244
............
Daytime Running Lights . 69
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
.........................
Reminder Chime .69
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 244
...................................
Turning on .69
..............................
Head Restraints .11
.....................
Heating and Cooling .102
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 169
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 69
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 247
....................................
Hood Latch .224
.......................
Hood, Opening the .157 ..................................................
Horn .68
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .220
.................................
Hydroplaning .185
Index
G H
I
IV

CONT INUED
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .265
.......................................
Jack, Tire .264
................................
Jump Starting .270
..................................................
Keys .75
.......................
Label, Certif ication .288
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 70
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 16,44
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .257
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .244
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .69
..................................
Turn Signal .70
.....................................
Load Limit .165
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .156
....................................
Glove Box .84
............................................
Hatch .80
..............
Power Door and Hatch . 80
........................
Low Coolant Level .160
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 170
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .60
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Lubricant Specif ications ..................................
Chart .290, 291
.........................................
Luggage .164
..................................
Maintenance .193
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
........................................
Record .203
......................
Required Indicator .64
.............................
Schedule .198-202
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 61,276
...................
Manual Transmission . 170
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 219
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 294..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.........................................
Moonroof .93
......................
Closing Manually .279
.....................................
Operation .93
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 174
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 155
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .171
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 288
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 155
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Index
J
K
L
MN
O
V

Oil........................
Change, How to .209
......................
Change, When to .198
......................
Checking Engine .159
..............
Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .208
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .297
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 287
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .272
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Paint Touch-up .255
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 70
........................
Park Gear Position .174
...........................................
Parking .180
.................................
Parking Brake .95
........................
Parking Lights .69, 247
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 180
.............................
PGM-FI System .297 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 255
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 272
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 125
...........................
Readiness Codes .299
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 249
............................
Rear Seat Access .86
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .94
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
....................
Rear Window Washer .72
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .72 ...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 85
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 171
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 222
.......................................
Coolant .214
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 209
..........................................
Fuses .280
................................
Light Bulbs .244
....................................
Schedule .198
................................
Spark Plugs .224
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .229
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 212
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 174
................................
Rotation, Tire .238
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 48
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
Index
P R
S
VI

Î
................
Technical Descriptions . 287
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 296
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .298
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 298
..........................
Time, Setting the .130
....................................
Tire Chains .241
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 263
...............................................
Tires .235
..............................
Air Pressure .235
.........................
Checking Wear .236
..........................
Compact Spare .262
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 292
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
...................................
Replacing .239
......................................
Rotating .238
...........................................
Snow .241
............................
Specif ications .290
................................
Tire Chains .241
..........................
Winter Driving .240
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 263Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .186
................................
Emergency .285
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .217
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .219
..................
Fluid Selection . 218,219
..............
Identif ication Number . 288
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 173
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 170
.....................................
Treadwear .292
.......................................
Trip Meter .67
....................................
Turn Signals .70
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .259
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .261
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 292
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .155
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .256
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 211..................................
Vanity Mirror .96
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 165
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .290
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 288
.............................
Vehicle Storage .252
.....................................
Ventilation .103
.................................................
VIN .287
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .257
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .208
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .303
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 216
.....................................
Operation .72
.........................................
Washing .254
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 255
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 74
............
Alignment and Balance . 237
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 255
Index
U V
W
VIII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil: Tire Pressure (measured cold):Brake Fluid: Power Steering Fluid:
Manual Transmission Fluid:
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
13.2 US gal (50
, 11.0 Imp gal)
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ).
Front:33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
Rear: 31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-20
(except Type-S) 5W-30 (Type-S)
viscosity (see page ).
5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt)
4.4 US qt (4.2
, 3.7 Imp qt)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ, SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Capacity (including differential):
1.6 US qt (1.5
, 1.3 Imp qt)
217
(All except Type S)
(Type S) 221
219
(All except Type-S)
(Type-S)
207 219