light Acura RSX 2006 Owner's Guide

When a CD is not being played, store
it in its case to protect it f rom dust
and other contamination. To prevent
warpage, keep CDs out of direct
sunlight and extreme heat.
To clean a CD, use a clean sof t cloth.
Wipe across the CD f rom the center
to the outside edge.
AnewCDmayberoughonthe
inner and outer edges. The small
plastic pieces causing this roughness
can f lake of f and f all on the re-
cording surf ace of the CD, causing
skipping or other problems. Remove
these pieces by rubbing the inner
and outer edges with the side of a
pencil or pen.Handle a CD by its edges; never
touch either surf ace. Do not place
stabilizer rings or labels on the CD.
These, along with contamination
f rom f ingerprints, liquids, and f elt-tip
pens, can cause the CD to not play
properly or possibly jam in the drive.
When using CD-R or CD-RW discs,
use only high quality CDs labeled
f or audio use.
When recording a CD-R or
CD-RW, the recording must be
closedforittobeusedbythe
system.
Play only standard round CDs.
Odd-shaped CDs may jam in the
driveorcauseotherproblems.
Handle your CDs properly to
prevent damage and skipping.
Never try to insert f oreign objects in
the CD player or the CD changer.
General Inf ormation
Protecting CDs
Protecting Your Discs
Features
121

Thetapeplayerpicksupdirtand
oxides f rom the tape. This
contamination build up over time and
causes the sound quality to degrade.
To prevent this, you should clean the
player af ter every 30 hours of use.
If you do not clean the tape player
regularly, it may eventually become
impossible to remove the
contamination with a normal
cleaning kit. Your dealer has a
cleaning kit available.
Use 100-minute or shorter tapes.
Tapes longer than that may break or
jam the drive.
If the tape is loose, tighten it by
turning the hub with a pencil or your
f inger. If the label is peeling of f ,
remove it or it could cause the tape
to jam in the player. Never try to
insert a warped or damaged tape in
the player.Store tapes in their cases to protect
them f rom dust and moisture. Never
placetapeswheretheywillbe
exposed to direct sunlight, high heat,
or high humidity. If a tape is exposed
to extreme heat or cold, let it reach a
moderate temperature bef ore
inserting it into the player.
Never try to insert f oreign objects
into the tape player.
If you see the error indication
‘‘ ’’ on the display, press the
EJECT button to remove the tape
from the unit. Make sure the tape is
not damaged. If the tape will not
eject or the error indication stays on
after the tape ejects, take the vehicle
to your dealer.
Type-S only
Caring f or the Tape and Player
Caring f or the T ape and Player
122

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicle. This alarm continues for 2
minutes, then the alarm stops. To
reset an alarming system bef ore the
2 minutes have elapsed, unlock
either door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
The security system sets
automatically, 15 seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and hatch. The
security system indicator starts
blinking immediately to show you
the system is setting itself.Once the security system is set,
opening either door (without using
the key or the remote transmitter),
or the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. The security system will not set if
the hood, hatch, or either door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Hatch Open
Indicator on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and the hatch are f ully closed. Since
it is not part of the monitor display,
manually check the hood.
54
Security System
126
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR

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 causes the cruise
control to cancel.You can cancel cruise control in any
of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your f oot. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on
the instrument panel goes out.
When the vehicle slows to the
desired speed, press the SET/
decel button. To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/decel
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle slows down about 1
mph (1.6 km/h). Press and hold the SET/decel
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed. If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would.
Pushthecruisecontrolmaster
switch.
Cruise Control
Canceling Cruise Control
Features
129
NOTE:

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood just to lef t of
center. Lif t up the hood latch
handle until it releases the hood.
Lif t up the hood.
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches. Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage ).You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL
CAP’’ message on the odometer
display.
1. 2.
5.
6.
217
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
Bef ore Driving
135
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE LATCH

Pull the support rod out of its clip,
and insert the end into the
designated hole in the hood.To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If the hood latch handle moves stif f ly,
or if you can open the hood without
lif ting the handle, the mechanism
should be cleaned and lubricated.
3.
Service Station Procedures
136
SUPPORT ROD

Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty. Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Although non-Acura accessories may
f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
220
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
139
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

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 the
hatch are securely closed and
locked.When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check that the hatch is f ully
closed.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8. 7. 6.
5. 4. 10. 11.
71
79 63
15 51
Preparing to Drive
146

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Lock the doors. Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights.
Check the indicator on the driver’s
door to verify that the security
system is set.
On vehicles with security system
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
157

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
158