light Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
TILT ADJUSTMENTHORN INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
CRUISE CONTROL
MOONROOF HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS (P.
61)
(P. 61)
(P. 80)
(P.60) (P.
62) (P.
61)
(P.
59)
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 115)

Your f ront airbags are dual-stage
airbags. This means they have two
inf lation stages that can be ignited
sequentially or simultaneously,
depending on crash severity.
In acrash, both stages
will ignite simultaneously to provide
the quickest and greatest protection.
In a crash, one stage will
ignite first, then the second stage
will ignite a split second later. This
provides longer airbag inf lation time
with a little less force. Your f ront airbags are also dual-
threshold airbags. Airbags with this
f eature have two deployment
thresholds that depend on whether
or not the occupant is wearing a seat
belt.
If the occupant’s belt is
,
the airbag will deploy at the same
threshold as a conventional airbag.
If the occupant’s belt , the
airbag will inf late at a slightly higher
threshold, when the airbag would be
needed to supplement the protection
provided by the seat belt.
Dual-Stage A irbags
more severeless severe not lat ched
is latchedDual-Threshold Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
24

...........................
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

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

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will go of f if you
have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
fluidwhenyouseethisindicator
come on (see page ).
64 167Canadian models only
Canadian models only
Immobilizer System
Indicator‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ IndicatorWasher Level Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols53

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.

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

µ
µ
µ
Turn Signal
Of f
Parking and interior lights
Headlight on
High beams
Flashhighbeams Rotating the
switch on the lef t lever turns on the
parking lights, taillights, instrument
panel lights, side-marker lights, and
rear license plate lights. Turning the
switch to the ‘‘ ’’ position turns
on the headlights. If you leave the
lights on with the key removed f rom
the ignition switch, you will hear a
reminder beeper when you open the
driver’s door.
To turn on the high
beams, push the lef t lever f orward
until it clicks. The blue high beam
indicator will come on (see page ).
Pull it back to return to low beams.
To f lash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back. With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Push down on the
lef t lever to signal a lef t turn and up
to signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever in
the proper direction and hold it. The lever will return to center when you
release it or complete a turn.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 52
Turn Signal and Headlights
Headlights On
High BeamsDaytime Running L ights
(Canadian Models)
Turn Signal
Turn Signal and Headlights
Inst rument s and Cont rols60

The knob on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel. Turn the knob to
adjust the brightness.Pushtheredbuttontoturnonthe
hazard warning lights (f our-way
flashers). This causes all four
outside turn signals and both
indicators in the instrument panel to
f lash. Use the hazard warning lights
if you need to park in a dangerous
area near heavy traffic, or if your
vehicle is disabled.The rear window def ogger will clear
fog,frost,andthinicefromthe
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and of f . The indicator in
the button comes on to show the
def ogger is on. If you do not turn it
of f , the def ogger will shut itself of f
af ter about 25 minutes. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition.
You have to turn it on again when
you restart the vehicle.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button, Rear Window Def ogger
Rear Window Def ogger
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols61

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart. The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start your engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols64