steering Acura RSX 2004 User Guide

Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERSHORN
TILT ADJUSTMENT
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
MOONROOF REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
CRUISE CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
1.
See page f or important saf ety
inf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 15
Rear Window Def ogger, Steering Wheel A djustment
Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols62
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.

Move the steering wheel so it
points to your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keepthegloveboxlockedwhenyou
leave your vehicle and the valet key
at a parking facility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a key replaced. Use only
an Acura-approved key blank.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Steering Wheel A djustment, K eys and L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Keys and Locks
63
MASTER KEY
(BLACK)
VALET KEY
(GREY)
KEY
NUMBER
TAG

µAs required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
CONT INUED
LOCK (0)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Immobilizer System, Ignition Switch
65

µ
µ
µ Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). ST A RT (III)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

When you select or ,
the A/C turns on automatically to
help dehumidif y the air and def og
the windshield. When you select
another mode, the A/C stays on. If
you do not want to use the A/C in
that mode, press the button to turn it
off.The main air f low is directed
to the windshield for faster defrost-
ing or def ogging. To def rost or def og
more quickly, turn the temperature
control dial to maximum. Select , and set the f an speed to
high. Theheatingandcoolingsystemhas
temperature sensors next to the
steering column and in the top of the
dashboard. Do not cover the sensors
or spill any liquid on them.
If there is actual frost on the win-
dows, f irst select the Recirculation
mode. If the windows are f ogged,
select the Fresh Air mode. Warmed
air will then flow from the wind-
shield and side def roster vents.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T emperature Sensors
91

Press and release the SET/decel
buttononthesteeringwheel.The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on
the instrument panel comes on to
show the system is now activated.Thecruisecontrolmaynotholdthe
set speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel the
cruise control. To resume the set
speed, press the RESUME/accel
button. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
Press and hold the RESUME/
accel button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/decel
button.
To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RESUME/
accel button. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
3.
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Changing the Set Speed
116
RESUME/accel
CANCEL
SET/decel

Press and hold the SET/decel
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.
To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/decel
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your f oot. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on
the instrument panel will go out.
When the vehicle slows to the
desired speed, press the SET/
decel button.Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up f or passing. Af ter
completing the pass, take your foot
of f the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your f oot on the brake or
clutch pedal will cause the cruise
control to cancel.
Youcancancelthecruisecontrolin
any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.
Press the Cruise Control Master
Switch.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
Cruise Control
Cancelling the Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures117

Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura (aftermarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your Acura dealer. Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
128

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8.
7. 6. 5.
4. 10.
72
6214 49
80
Preparing to Drive
Driving134