fuel Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Manual

2003 RSX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form

Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
......................................... ii
Your Car at a Glance ........................................................................\
................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
...................................... 5
Proper use and care of your car's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint\
System.
Instruments and Controls ........................................................................\
......................................... 57
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use da shboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 101
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
.......................................................... 153
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 167
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
............................................................. 193
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the\
dealer.
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
...................................................... 253
Tips on cl eaning and protecting your car. Things to look for if your car ever need\
s body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected ........................................................................\
.............................. 261
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and\
how to handle them.
Technical Information ........................................................................\
............................................. 287
ID numbers, dim ensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................301
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) ........................................................................\
.............................. 306
How to order manuals and other technical li terature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Your Car at a Glance
2
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESINDICATOR LIGHTS
GAUGES
(P.
59)
(P. 66) HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
PARKING BRAKE (P.
102 )
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.
94)
(P. 79)
(P. 91)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
(P. 156)
(P.157)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.95) (P.
125)
(P. 172, 175)

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58
...............................
Indicator Lights .59
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .64 .........
Security System Indicator . 65
.............................................
Gauges .66
...............................
Speedometer .66
.................................
Tachometer .66
.....................................
Odometer .66
...................................
Trip Meter .67
..................................
Fuel Gauge .67
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .68
...................................
Headlights .69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 69
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 70
................................
Turn Signals .70
.....................
Windshield Wipers .71
..................
Windshield Washers . 72
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .72
..........................
Hazard Warning .73
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 74
...............................
Keys and Locks .75
..............................................
Keys .75
....................
Immobilizer System . 76
............................
Ignition Switch .77
..................................
Door Locks .79 .........
Power Door/Hatch Locks . 80
............................................
Hatch .80
...................
Remote Transmitter . 81
....................................
Glove Box .84
............................
Seat Adjustments .85
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 85
Driver’s Seat Height ..............................
Adjustment .86
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 86
........................
Rear Seat Access .86
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
....................................
Seat Heaters .88
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .89
..............................
Power Windows .90
.........................................
Moonroof .93
.............................................
Mirrors .94
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 94
.................................
Parking Brake .95
..................................
Vanity Mirror .96
........................................
Coat Hook .96
.............................
Beverage Holder .97
...................
Console Compartment . 98
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 99
.................................
Interior Lights .99
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols57

Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASEMIRROR CONTROLS
INDICATOR LIGHTS
GAUGES HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEMSHIFT LEVER
PARKING BRAKE
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
(P.
80)
(P. 91) (P.
94) (P.
66) (P.
59)
(P.102)
(P. 125)
(P. 172, 175)
(P. 95)
(P. 157)
(P.
151)

Î
ÎÎ
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols59
(P.62)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 60)
SIDE AIRBAG CUT-OFF INDICATOR (P.60)
(P.62)
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P.62) (P.62)
DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
(P.60) SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT
(P.61)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
(P.61)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.61)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
(P.61)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
(P.61)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.64)
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.63)
(P.65)
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR

The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash.This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
This light comes on if either door is
not closed tightly.
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
246 149
69
Only on models equipped with Cruise
Control System
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators Cruise Control Indicator
Door-open Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator High Beam Indicator
62

This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
U.S. Models
Canadian Models
Speedometer Odometer
T achometer
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
TEMPERATURE GAUGE TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
SELECT/RESET BUTTON
ODOMETER/TRIP METER

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays and the odometer by
pressing the Select/Reset button
repeatedly. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two dif f erent distances.
212
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
Trip Meter
67
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst......................
General Precautions .154
.............................
Break-in Period .155
.........................................
Gasoline .155
.........
Service Station Procedures . 156
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 156
....................
Opening the Hood .157
...............................
Oil Check .159
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 160
...............................
Fuel Economy .161
.....................
Vehicle Condition .161
...........................
Driving Habits .161
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 162
.............................
Carrying Cargo .164
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving153

Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat. Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Put the attachment on the fuel fill
cap into the slit on the f uel f ill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board refueling
vapor recovery system to help keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. If the f uel nozzle keeps
clicking of f even though the tank is
not f ull, there may be a problem with
this system. Consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving156
FUEL FILL CAP
Pull
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.