weight Acura RSX 2005 User Guide

CONT INUED
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatvehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load is 3,725 lbs (1,690 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
axles are 1,960 lbs (890 kg) on the
f ront axle, and 1,830 lbs (830 kg)
on the rear axle.
Towing a Trailer
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Hitches
Driving
149

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the right
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin. If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
f rom your dealer.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
150
TAILLIGHT
(RED/YELLOW) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/RED)RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
GROUND
(BLACK)
BACK UP LIGHT
(GREEN)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
Driveslowerthannormalinall
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T owing Speeds and GearsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving
151

Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle, to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
RSX and Premium models
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Oil
162
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL Ambient Temperature

µAlways change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or improved f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C). Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
1.
CONT INUED
Type-SSynthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
163
Ambient Temperature

Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
band 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide across
the tread. This shows there is less
than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t
on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators.To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
showninthecharteachtimethey
are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance. In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
For Vehicles with aluminum wheels:
Tires
Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Maint enance
185
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
INDICATOR
LOCATION
MARKS
TREAD WEAR
INDICATORS
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.

µµ
CONT INUED
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
an organization. Never tow your
vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is
very dangerous. The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
Release the parking brake. Turn of f the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Start the engine. Shif t the transmission to Neutral. Release the parking brake.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do the f ollowing:
Automatic Transmission:
Manual Transmission:
Emergency T owing
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
This is the best way to trans-
port your vehicle.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
vehicle.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
213
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.

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Specif ications
218
Dimensions
Weights Air Conditioning
Capacities
Engine 172.6 in (4,385 mm)
67.9 in (1,725 mm)
54.9 in (1,395 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 g) SP-10
13.2 US gal (50
)
1.35 US gal (5.1
)
101.2 in (2,570 mm)
58.5 in (1,485 mm)
58.5 in (1,485 mm)
3.39 x 3.39 in (86.0 x 86.0 mm) 121.9 cu-in (1,998 cm
)
9.8 : 1
11.0 : 1 1.32 US gal (5.0
)
1.69 US gal (6.4
)
1.66 US gal (6.3)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
5.0 US qt (4.7)
4.2 US qt (4.0)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
5.6 US qt (5.3)
6.1 US qt (5.8)
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb. Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plug Water cooled 4-stroke
DOHC VTEC in line,
4-cylinder gasoline engine.
IZFR6K11
IFR7G-11KS
SKJ20DR-M11
SK22PR-M11S Approx.
1:
2:
3:
4:
Front
Rear
ChangeManual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including filter
Without filter
Total
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
1:
2:
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
NGK
DENSO
1
21
2
1
2 1
4
2
3
2
3
2
3

....................
Storing Your Vehicle .189
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 22
......................................
Servicing .27
.........................
SRS Indicator .26 ,52
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil .163
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .191
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 220
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .121
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 165
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 130
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .218
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 216
.............................
Vehicle Storage .189
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 177
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .191
......................................
Tape Player .98
................
Technical Descriptions . 215
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 223
..........
State Emissions Testing . 226
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .225
.................................
Tire Labeling .222
.......................
Temperature Gauge .58
..........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 91
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
............................
Thef t Protection .112
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 225..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 63
..........................
Time, Setting the .113
....................................
Tire Chains .187
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 193
...............................................
Tires .182
..............................
Air Pressure .183
.........................
Checking Wear .184
..........................
Compact Spare .192
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
......................................
Inf lation .182
..................................
Inspection .184
..............................
Maintenance .185
...................................
Replacing .186
......................................
Rotating .185
...........................................
Snow .187
....................
Specif ications .186, 219
................................
Tire Chains .187
..........................
Winter Driving .187
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 193
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .148
................................
Emergency .213
....
Equipment and Accessories . 149
.............................
Weight Limit .148
...........................
Traction Devices .187
.............................
Trailer Loading .148 ......................
Trailer Towing Tips .149
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .167
...........................
Fluid Selection .168
..............
Identif ication Number . 216
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 139
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 136
.....................................
Treadwear .220
.......................................
Trip Meter .57
....................................
Turn Signals .61
Index
T
U
V
VIII