tow Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Guide

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
285
159
207 Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed274
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

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Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See on page .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
219
285Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed278
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

µ
µ µ
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged. Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission:
CONT INUED
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura. This is the best way to transport
your A cura. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed285
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any
electrical accessories are turned of f
so they do not run down the battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed286
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

µµ
µ
µµ
µ
µ
µ µa seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom an Acura dealer.
Acura accessories are covered under
this warranty. Time and mileage
limits depend on the type of
accessory and other f actors. Please
read your warranty manual f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the car.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. covers all Acura
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2003 Acura Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Acura’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2003 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.Seat Belt L imit ed Warrant y
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarranty Replacement Part s L imit ed
WarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions303

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

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

..........................
Compact Spare .262
......................................
Wrench .264
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .258
..................
Operating the Power . 90
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .72
...................................
Def roster .102
.......................................
Washers .72
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .229
.....................................
Operation .72
....................................
Worn Tires .236
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 285
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
IX