Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Use only SAE class ‘‘S’’ chains. Only
certain brands of chains will f it your
Acura without coming in contact
with the body or causing mechanical
damage. Bef ore buying any types of
chains, you should consult with your
Acura dealer about the designs and
brands that will work on your Acura.
Also,makesureyoupurchasethe
correct size f or your tires. When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear them contacting the body
or chassis, stop and investigate.
Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not
contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soonasyoustartdrivingoncleared
roads.
Mount tire chains on your vehicle
when warranted by driving
conditions or required by local laws.
Make sure the chains are the correct
size f or your tires. Install them only
on the front tires.
Checking the Battery
T ire Chains
Tires, Checking the Battery
Maint enance188
NOTICE:TEST INDICATOR WINDOWChains of the wrong size or
ones that are improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if you hear the chains hitting
any part of the vehicle.

µ
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Acura dealer or a
qualif ied technician. Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
Checking the Battery
189
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

If you need to park your vehicle 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 vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle 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.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle 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 vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 159
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance190

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 vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .193
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 198
................................
Jump Starting .200
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 202
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
..........
Charging System Indicator . 205
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 206
...............
Brake System Indicator . 208
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 209
..............................................
Fuses .210
..........................
Fuse Locations .213
......................
Emergency Towing .215
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed191

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving on this tire. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Do not drive with the compact
sparetiremountedonthefront
wheels f or a long period; it will
damage the Limited Slip
Dif f erential.
Replace the compact spare tire when
you can see the tread wear indicator
bars. The replacement should be the
same size and design tire, mounted
onthesamewheel.Thesparetireis
not designed to be mounted on a
regular wheel, and the spare wheel is
not designed f or mounting a regular
tire.
Do not mount tire chains on it.
Type-S only
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed192
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake. If you are towing a
trailer, unhitch the trailer.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
andturntheignitionswitchto
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the hatch. Pull up the f loor
mat and remove the spare tire
cover.
Unscrew the wing bolt.
1. 2.
3.
4.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed193
TOOL KIT
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Lift the bass speaker out of the
spare tire and set it aside. Do not
pull on the wiring harness going to
the speaker.
Take the spare tire out of its well.Turn the jack’s end
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.Loosen each wheel nut 1/
2turn
with the wheel wrench.
5.
6. 7.8.
Type-S only:
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed194
BASS SPEAKER
(Type-S only) JACK

CONT INUED
Place the jack under the jacking
point. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
restinginthejacknotch.Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the flat tire. Place the flat
tire on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.
9. 10.
11. 12.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed195
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL WRENCH

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground
and remove the jack.
15.
13.
14.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed196
(Except Type-S)
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket clockwise to
raisethejackandlockitinplace.
Screw the adapter into the hole in
the spare tire well.Remove the wheel cover or center
cap and place the flat tire face
down in the spare tire well.
Set the bass speaker inside the
wheel.
Secure the f lat tire with the wing
bolt.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
18.
16.
17. 20.
21.
Type-S only: Type-S only:
19.All except Type-S:
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed197
ADAPTER (Type-S only) WING BOLTSPACER
CONE