ECO mode Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Guide

The cassette player picks up dirt and
oxides f rom the tape. This contami-
nation builds up over time and
causes the sound quality to degrade.
To prevent this, you should clean the
player af ter every 30 hours of use.
Your dealer has a cleaning kit
available.
If you do not clean the cassette
player regularly, it may eventually
become impossible to remove the
contamination with a normal
cleaning kit.
Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes.
Cassettes longer than that use
thinner tape that may break or jam
the drive.When they are not in use, store
cassettes in their cases to protect
them f rom dust and moisture. Never
place cassettes where they will be
exposed to direct sunlight, high heat,
or high humidity. If a cassette is
exposed to extreme heat or cold, let
it reach a moderate temperature
bef ore inserting it in the player.
Never try to insert f oreign objects
into the cassette player.If you see the error indication
‘‘ ’’ on the display, press the
EJECT button to remove the
cassette from the unit. Make sure
thetapeisnotdamaged.If the
cassette will not eject or the error
indication stays on after the cassette
ejects, take the car to your Acura
dealer.
If the label is peeling of f , remove it
from the cassette or it could cause
the cassette to jam in the player.
Never try to insert a warped or
damaged cassette in the player. Look at the cassette before you
insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten
it by turning a hub with a pencil or
your f inger.
Caring f or the Cassette Player
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures137

To remove the disc that is currently
playing, press the eject button. You
will see ‘‘EJEC’’ in the display. When
you remove the disc f rom the slot,
the system automatically begins the
Load sequence so you can load
another CD in that position. If you do
not load another CD, af ter ten
seconds the system begins playing
the next disc in the changer. If the
changer is empty, the system selects
the previous mode (AM, FM, or
Tape).
If you do not remove the disc f rom
the slot, the system will reload the
disc af ter 15 seconds and put the CD
changer in pause mode. To begin
playing the disc, press the CD button.
To remove a different CD from the
changer,firstselectitwiththe
appropriate preset button. When that
CD begins playing, press the eject
button.
Removing CDs f rom t he Changer
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures143
CD SLOT CD EJECT BUTTON
CD BUTTON

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Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h). Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch to the lef t of the steering
column. The indicator in the
switch will light.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
conditions such as city driving,
winding roads, slippery roads, heavy
rain, or bad weather. You should
have f ull control of the car under
those conditions.
1.
2.
U.S.: Canada: All models
Premium and Type-Smodels only
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Using t he Cruise Cont rol
149
CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCHImproper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.

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. Use of a lower octane gasoline can
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.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can
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

A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
205
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
161

The shift lever has five positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D, D , N, R or the manual mode,
press firmly on the brake pedal and
keep your f oot of f the accelerator
pedal.
Your Acura’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
at any time (in any shif t position), it
indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid
acceleration and have the
transmission checked by an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
3
CONT INUED
Shif t L ever Position Indicator Shif t L ever Positions
Automatic Transmission
Driving173
SHIFT LEVER

à
à
à
àIf you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the
tachometer’s red zone. If this
occurs,youmayfeeltheengine
cut in and out. This is caused by a
limiter in the engine’s computer
controls. The engine will run
normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
When you are in Sequential
Sportshif t mode, and the vehicle is
stopped, push f orward on the shif t
lever to shif t to second gear. You will
see ‘‘2’’ in the display. Starting out in
second gear will help to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surf ace.
To shift from
21
32
43
54 Speed range
under 31 mph (50 km/h)
under 63 mph (100 km/h)
under 94 mph (150 km/h)
under 131 mph (210 km/h)
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Engine Speed L imiter
Starting in Second Gear
178

µ
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.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your car according
to this chart.
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
Engine Oil
Maint enance208
Ambient Temperature Ambient Temperature

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, then 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)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
) 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.

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