checking oil Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Manual

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Acura.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
4.
207 205
212
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner Maintenance
Checks
A dding Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving160
UPPER MARK LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN

This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving, and help reduce air pollution.
Maint enance
Maintenance Saf ety
194
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .262
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .263
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 268
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .268
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .269
................................
Jump Starting .270
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 272
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 274
..........
Charging System Indicator . 275
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 276
...............
Brake System Indicator . 278
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 279
..............................................
Fuses .280
..........
Checking and Replacing . 281
......................
Emergency Towing .285
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed261

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 162
................................
Accessories .162
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 163
............................
Modif ications .163
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 209
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
..............
Air Conditioning System . 102
..............................
Maintenance .231
.........................................
Usage .102
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .102
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .235
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .294
......................................
Antif reeze .212
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 183
...................................
Operation .182
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .78
..........................
Appearance Care .253
................................
Audio System .109 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 149
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .290
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 217
.......................................
Shif ting .173
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 173
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 179
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .61, 275
............................
Jump Starting .269
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .291
..............................
Bef ore Driving .153
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
.............................
Beverage Holder .97
...................................
Body Repair .260
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 182
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 155
....................
Bulb Replacement .249
...........................................
Fluid .219 .........................................
Parking .95
.................
System Indicator . 60,278
........................
Wear Indicators .181
.............................
Braking System .181
........................
Break-in, New Car .155
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 70
........................
Brights, Headlights .69
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .249
..............................
Brake Lights .249
......................
Cargo Area Light .250
..............................
Ceiling Light .250
................
Front Parking Lights . 247
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 246
.................................
Headlights .244
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 247
...................
License Plate Light . 248
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 249
............................
Specif ications .291
...................................
Spotlights .251
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .244
Index
A
B
I

Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 304
........................
Def og and Def rost .105
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 72
....................................
Dimensions .290
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..................................
Engine Oil .159
..........................
Directional Signals .70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 181
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .211
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 79
......................
Power Door Locks .80
...................
Capacities Chart . 290,291
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .89
.............................
Carrying Cargo .164
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .137
...................................
Operation .133
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .139
............................................
Care .145
...................................
Operation .141
........................
Certif ication Label .288
............................................
Chains .241
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .209
......................................
When to .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .263
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 214
...
Charging System Indicator . 61,275
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 168
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
.........................................
LATCH .42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 222
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .255
...................................
Carpeting .256
......................................
Exterior .254
.........................................
Fabric .258
......................
Instrument Panel .258
.......................................
Interior .256
.......................................
Leather .257
...................................
Seat Belts .257
...........................................
Vinyl .257
....................................
Windows .258
.........................
Clock, Setting the .114
...................................
Clutch Fluid .219
.....................
Code, Audio System .147
........................
CO in the Exhaust .296
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 169
..............................
Compact Spare .262
...................
Console Compartment . 98
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 302
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .212
....................................
Checking .160
.........................
Proper Solution .212
...................................
Replacing .214 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
....................
Corrosion Protection .259
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .296
............
Cruise Control Operation . 149
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 302
Index
C
D
II

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

Oil........................
Change, How to .209
......................
Change, When to .198
......................
Checking Engine .159
..............
Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .208
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .297
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 287
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .272
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Paint Touch-up .255
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 70
........................
Park Gear Position .174
...........................................
Parking .180
.................................
Parking Brake .95
........................
Parking Lights .69, 247
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 180
.............................
PGM-FI System .297 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 255
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 272
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 125
...........................
Readiness Codes .299
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 249
............................
Rear Seat Access .86
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .94
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
....................
Rear Window Washer .72
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .72 ...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 85
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 171
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 222
.......................................
Coolant .214
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 209
..........................................
Fuses .280
................................
Light Bulbs .244
....................................
Schedule .198
................................
Spark Plugs .224
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .229
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 212
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 174
................................
Rotation, Tire .238
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 48
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
Index
P R
S
VI

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