fuel Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

2004 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 Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glanc e........................................................................\
.............................................2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
.........................................47
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
........................87
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................119
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................133
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
............................................................ .155
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................191
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................217
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................231
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................236
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESHEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.
67)
(P. 78) (P.
49)
INDICATORS
GAUGES
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.56)
(P. 81)
(P. 122)
(P.123) (P.
136, 139)
(P.
92)
(P.
88)
PARKING BRAKE
(P. 82)

...........................
Control Locations .48
............................
Instrument Panel .49
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 50
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .54
.........
Security System Indicator . 55
.............................................
Gauges .56
.....................................
Odometer .56
...................................
Trip Meter .56
..................................
Fuel Gauge .57
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .58 ......................
Wipers and Washers .59
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 61
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 61
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 61
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 62
...............................
Keys and Locks .63
........................
Immobilizer System .64
................................
Ignition Switch .65
......................................
Door Locks .67
.........
Power Door/Hatch Locks . 67
............................................
Hatch .68
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
........................................
Glove Box .71
.................................................
Seats .72
....................................
Seat Heaters .75
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .76
..............................
Power Windows .78
.........................................
Moonroof .80
.............................................
Mirrors .80
.................................
Parking Brake .82
.................................
Interior Lights .83
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 84
.......................
Beverage Holders .85
..........
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
...............
Console Compartment . 86
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.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instruments and Controls
47

AT model is shown.
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols48
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASEMIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
INDICATORS
(P. 67)
(P. 78) (P.
81) (P.
49)
(P. 56)
(P.88)
(P. 92)
(P. 136, 139)
(P. 123)
(P.
122)
PARKING BRAKE(P. 82)

ÎÎ
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols49
HIGH BEAM INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATORSIDE AIRBAG CUT-OFF INDICATOR TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
(P.
206)
(P. 51, 204)
(P. 51, 205) (P.
52)
(P. 51)
(P. 52)
(P. 54)
(P. 53)
(P. 55) (P.
50)
(P. 50)
(P.52)
(P. 52)
(P.52)
(P. 50)
(P.
51)

Only on models equipped with CruiseControl System
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator 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.
When you push the Hazard Warning
button, both turn signal lights blink.
All turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash. This indicator comes on if either
door is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon. 60
176 115
Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Turn Signal
Indicator and
Hazard Warning
Button
Door-open Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols52

The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle 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.This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. The odometer and the
two trip meters use the same display.
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.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’.
Gauges
Odometer
T rip Meter
Inst rument s and Cont rols56
TEMPERATURE GAUGE TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
SELECT/RESET BUTTON
ODOMETER/TRIP METER

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.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.
202
Fuel Gauge
T emperature Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
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 vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst......................
General Precautions .120
.............................
Break-in Period .121
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 121
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
...............................
Fuel Economy .126
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 127
.............................
Carrying Cargo .129
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
119

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Do not tow a trailer. Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher.
Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
You should also f ollow these re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced. Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy, metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical f ailure.
We recommend gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. In
addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. Use ofgasoline with these additives may
adversely affect performance, and
cause the Malf unction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized Acura dealer f or
service. For f urther important f uel-
related information, please refer to
your Quick Start Guide.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.(All models except Type-S)
(Type-S)
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
121