oil type Acura RSX 2002 Owner's Manual

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use a premium unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane number of 91 or
higher. Use an unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
(Type-S)
(All models except Type-S)
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving155

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The SAE numbers tell you the oil’s
viscosity or weight. Select the oil f or
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or improved f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
Acura. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C).
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30
oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next
oil change.
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
Engine Oil
Maint enance208
A Am
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree
A
A m
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Your Acura does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives f or
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car’s perf ormance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenancedonebyaskilled
mechanic.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Additives Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance209

Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick. Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): 7.
8.
9.
5.
6.
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
Engine Oil
Maint enance211
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.4 US qt (4.2
, 3.7 Imp qt)
5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

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µ
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µ
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Plug Gap:
Plug Gap:
Insert the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil.
Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the f our nuts.
9.
(RSX and Premium models)
10.
11. 12. DENSO: NGK:
NGK:
DENSO:
(Type-S) Battery
Specif ications:
Maint enance
Spark Plugs, Battery
226
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0.04 in (1.1 mm) IZFR6K11
SKJ20DR-M11
IFR7G-11K
SK22PR-M110
0.1mm
0
0.1mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

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T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
290
Air Conditioning
Dimensions
Weights
Engine Capacities
173.0 in (4,395 mm)
67.9 in (1,725 mm)
55.1 in (1,400 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 g) SP-10
13.2 US gal (50
, 11.0 Imp gal)
1.35 US gal (5.1
, 1.12 Imp gal)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
101.2 in (2,570 mm)
58.3 in (1,482 mm)
58.3 in (1,481 mm)
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
Water cooled 4-strokeDOHC VTEC in line,
4-cylinder gasoline engine. 3.19 x 3.50 in (86.0 x 86.0) 121.9 cu-in (1,998 cm
)
9.8 : 1
11.0 : 1
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs 1.32 US gal (5.0
, 1.10 Imp gal)
1.69 US gal (6.4
, 1.41 Imp gal)
1.66 US gal (6.3, 1.39 Imp gal)
4.4 US qt (4.2
, 3.7 Imp qt)
5.0 US qt (4.7, 4.1 Imp qt)
4.4 US qt (4.2, 3.7 Imp qt)
5.0 US qt (4.7, 4.1 Imp qt)
5.6 US qt (5.3, 4.7 Imp qt)
6.1 US qt (5.8, 5.1 Imp qt)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
See spark plug maintenance sec-
tion page 224 . Approx.
1:
2:
3:
4:
Front
Rear
ChangeManual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including filter
Without filter
Total
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
1:
2:
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
12 1
4
2
3
2
3
2
3

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CONT INUED
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 55
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....................................
Cleaning .257
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16,44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 60
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16
....................................
Seat Heaters .88
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 13,85
............................
Security System .148
...............................
Serial Number .288
...........................
Service Intervals .198
...........................
Service Manual .306
.........
Service Station Procedures . 156
..........................
Setting the Clock .130
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
........................
Shif t Lock Release .179 Shif ting
.
The Automatic Transmission . 173
The 5-speed and 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .170
...............................
Signaling Turns .70
.....................................
Snow Tires .241
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 254
................................
Sound System .109
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .262
............................
Specif ications .289
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 224
....................
Specif ications Charts . 290
..................................
Speed Control .74
...................................
Speedometer .66
.......................................
Spotlights .100
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 48
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 53
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 48
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 50
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .52
........................
SRS Components .48
..................................
SRS Service .51
.............................
SRS Indicator .51 ,60
..............
State Emissions Testing . 299 ....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 78
.......................
Starting the Engine .169
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .169
................
With a Dead Battery . 270
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 272
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .74
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 78
...................
Stereo Sound System . 125
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .10, 48
......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .51, 60
..................................
Synthetic Oil .209
.....................................
Tachometer .66
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 249
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .261
....................................
Tape Player .133
Index
T
VII

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