lock Acura RSX 2003 Repair Manual

Make sure the engine and
radiator are cool.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spills immediately. Spilled
coolant could damage components
in the engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. 6.
5. 4.
2.
3. 1.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance213
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK

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.

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)

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
To replace a blade (front or rear):
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield or rear window. 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance229
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield or rear window.
3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance230
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
290
CONT INUED
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance231
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.

To replace it:Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way.
The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual. The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing up on the lock
tab, then pivoting up the cover.
1. 2.
U.S. : All models
Canada : Premium and Type-S Optional on RSX Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance232
HOOKS
TABCOVER

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the tabs of the new bulb. Make
sure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Passenger’s side)
Install the power steering
reservoir on the bracket.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance245
BULB
WEATHER
SEAL
HOLD
DOWN WIRE CONNECTOR

Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Install the power steering
reservoir on the bracket.
Open the hood.
(Passenger’s side)
Remove the power steering
reservoir f rom the bracket. Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7. (Passenger’s side)
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Light Bulb
246
Passenger’s side
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
BULB

Open the hood. The f ront parking
light is next to the headlight bulb.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Open the hatch.
Remove the high-mount brake
light cover by pivoting it toward
the back of the car.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
1.
3.
2. 3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
247
BULB
BULB
COVER