light Acura RSX 2003 Manual PDF

Open the hood.
Your car has two bulbs on each side,
four in total. Make sure you are
replacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
(Passenger’s side)
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by an Acura technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
Remove the power steering
reservoir f rom the bracket.
1.
2.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance244
Passenger’s side
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

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

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
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the high-mount brake
light cover.Insert a flat-tipped screwdriver
between the lef t edge of the lens
and the housing. The lens will
come down.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the lens back into the light
assembly, right side f irst. Push on
the lef t edge until it snaps into
place.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.2.
3.
4.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
248
BULB

Remove the socket 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.Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Install the light assembly cover.
Make sure it locks in place. Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Open the hatch. Remove the light
assembly cover by pulling on the
tabontheoutsideedge. Determinewhichof thefivebulbs
is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal light, side marker light,
back-up light, or taillight.
2.
3.
1.
4.5.
6.
7.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
249
COVER

Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Remove the cargo area light
assembly by caref ully prying on
the lef t edge of the lens with a f lat-
tip screwdriver and pulling the
assembly out. Open the hatch.
1. 2.
3.
1.
2.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Ceiling L ight Bulb Replacing a Cargo A rea L ight
Bulb
250
BULB
BULB

Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of the bulb holder.
Push the new bulb into the bulb
holder.
Reinstall the lens by inserting the
outside edge first, then pushing on
the inside edge.
Remove the lens of the burned out
bulb by caref ully prying on the
edge between the lenses with a
f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Slide the right side of the light
assembly into the hole. Push on
theleftsidetolatchtheassembly
into place.
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
3.
4.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Spotlight Bulbs
251
BULB

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals.If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage. Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). 209
198
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
252

Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual. Frequent washing helps preserve
your car’s beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the f inish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down bef ore you
start.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt. As you dry the car, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a sof t-
bristle brush, sponge, or sof t cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse f requently.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the car does not need waxing.
When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots. 255
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing
254
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.