Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Manual

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
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

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. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. 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.
CONT INUED
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Manual Transmission
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance219
Correct level
FILLER BOLT

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage. Brake System
Clutch System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance220
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance221
UPPER LEVEL LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Do not spill the power steering f luid
over the body, auto-tensioner, drive
belt and pulleys.
If spilled accidentally, wipe of f any
f luid completely.

To replace it:Loosen the f ive bolts.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service. The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Unsnap the clamp, then remove
the intake air duct f rom the f ront
of the air cleaner housing.
Use a pair of pliers to slide back
the clamp on the breather tube
attached to the side of the housing.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment. Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
1.
2.3.
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance
Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
Replacement
222
AIR CLEANER
HOUSING
BREATHER TUBE
INTAKE AIR DUCT BOLTS

Lif t up the cover slightly, then
move it sideways to separate it
f rom the breather tube.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, and tighten the five bolts.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Push the air cleaner housing cover
into the breather tube. Install the breather tube clamp.
Install the intake air duct and
clamp.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.9.
10.
11.
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance223
COVER
BREATHER TUBE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils. Remove the four nuts, then
remove the coil cover.
1.
2.
ReplacementSpark Plugs
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
224
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
PIVOTS COIL
COVER
NUTS

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it. Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. Remove the ignition coil.
6. 5.
4. 3.
7.8.
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance225
CONNECTOR
IGNITION
COIL LOCK TAB
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
18 lbf·ft (25 N·m , 2.5 kgf·m)

´
µ
´
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-11KS
SK22PR-M11S0
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.

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
227
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW