oil Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Manual

Push the button.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows: With the hatch open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
hatch open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

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

This light has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page . If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III).
If this light comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the ABS.
If this happens, take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, your car still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
278 183275
274
276
Only on models equipped with ABS (see page ) 181
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
61
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

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

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use a premium unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane number of 91 or
higher. Use an unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
(Type-S)
(All models except Type-S)
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving155

Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
2.
3.
1.
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving159

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

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 107
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving184

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .194
.
Important Safety Precautions . 195
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 196
...
Required Maintenance Record . 203
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Fluid Locations .206
......................................
Engine Oil .207
..................................
Adding Oil .207
....................
Recommended Oil .207
..............................
Synthetic Oil .209
....................................
Additives .209
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 209
.............................
Cooling System .212
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 212
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
.......................
Transmission Fluid .217
..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 219
............................
Brake System .220
...........................
Clutch System .220
..............................
Power Steering .221
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
....................................
Hood Latch .224 ....................................
Spark Plugs .224
..............................
Replacement .224
............................
Specif ications .226
...........................................
Battery .226
.................................
Wiper Blades .229
..............
Air Conditioning System . 231
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 232
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...............................................
Tires .235
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
.............................
Tire Rotation .238
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 239
......................
Wheels and Tires .240
..........................
Winter Driving .240
.............................
Snow Tires .241
............................
Tire Chains .241
.............................................
Lights .242
.....................
Headlight Aiming .244
........................
Replacing Bulbs .244
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
306
Maintenance
Maint enance193

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.