steering Acura TSX 2004 Service Manual

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Clutch System
Power Steering
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering
Maint enance260
MINMAX
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

When shopping f or replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are ‘‘directional.’’ This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
Make sure the installer balances the
wheels when you have new tires
installed. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. Your car’s
original tires were dynamic or ‘‘spin’’
balanced at the f actory. For best
results, have the installer perf orm a
dynamic balance. The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform-
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comf ort, and long lif e.
Youshouldreplacethemwithradial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
10,000 miles (16,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated. Tire Rotation
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Maint enance
Tires
276
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)Front Front
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)Improper wheel weights can damage
your car’s aluminum wheels. Use only
genuine Acura wheel weights f or
balancing.

Pull the inner f ender cover back.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. 5.
2.
1.
3.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
285
HOLDING CLIPS

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed329
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
................................
Accessories .191
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 192
............................
Modif ications .192
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 246
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .261
............................
Air Conditioning .115
..............................
Maintenance .269
.........................................
Usage .115
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .273
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .340
......................................
Antif reeze .249
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ................................
Description .213
...............................
Indicator .61, 214
...................................
Operation .213
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 80
..........................
Appearance Care .295
..........................................
Armrest .105
........................
Audio System .129, 148 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 174
..............
Automatic Transmission . 204
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .334
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 256
.......................................
Shif ting .204
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 204
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 210
Battery ......
Charging System Light . 60,318
............................
Jump Starting .312
..............................
Maintenance .265
............................
Specif ications .335
..............................
Bef ore Driving .183
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .106
...................................
Body Repair .312
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 213
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 184
....................
Bulb Replacement .286
...........................................
Fluid .259
.......................................
Parking .104 .........................
System Indicator .60
........................
Wear Indicators .212
.............................
Braking System .213
........................
Break-in, New Car .184
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .287
..............................
Brake Lights .286
..............................
Ceiling Light .290
................
Door Courtesy Light . 291
................
Front Parking Lights . 285
.................................
Headlights .282
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 289
...................
License Plate Light . 289
............................
Specif ications .335
...................................
Spotlights .290
...............................
Trunk Light .292
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 284
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 291
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .282
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 270
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .299
...................................
Fan, Interior .115
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 184
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .270
...............................................
Oil .246
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 305
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 256..........................................
Brake .259
.........................................
Clutch .260
..............
Manual Transmission . 257
..........................
Power Steering .260
..................
Windshield Washer . 255
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 341
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
.................................................
Fuel .184
......................
Fill Door and Cap .185
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
...............................
Oxygenated .340
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .324
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190
..........................................
Gasohol .340
.........................................
Gasoline .184
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
............
Emergencies on the Road . 303
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 312
...........
Brake System Indicator . 321
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 305
.....
Charging System Indicator . 318
..................
Checking the Fuses . 324
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 317
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 319
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 322
..................
Overheated Engine . 315
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .328
.......................
Emissions Controls .342
Engine ............................................
Belts .272
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 319
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 244...............................
Overheating .315
............................
Specif ications .335
....................
Speed Limiter . 202,209
.......................................
Starting .199
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 202,209
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .340
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 342
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 296
Index
E
FG
III

CONT INUED
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 80
............................
Fuel Fill Door .184
....................................
Glove Box .89
...........................................
Trunk .87
........................
Low Coolant Level .189
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 201
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 334
.........................................
Luggage .193
..................................
Maintenance .229
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
........................................
Record .239
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .230
.............................
Schedule .234-238
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,319
...................
Manual Transmission . 202
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 257
...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 340
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .102 .......................................
Moonroof .101
......................
Closing Manually .322
...................................
Operation .101
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 206
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 184
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .202
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 332..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .205
...........................................
Parking .211
...............................
Parking Brake .104
.................................
Parking Lights .70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 344
.............................
PGM-FI System .343
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 297
...................................
Pollen Filter .270
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 184
.........................................
Odometer .65
Odometer/Outside Temperature ......................................
Indicator .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Oil ........................
Change, How to .246
......................
Change, When to .232
......................
Checking Engine .187
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,317
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .245 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 341
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
.....................
Outside Temperature .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .315
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .340
Index
MO N
P
V

CONT INUED
...............................
Signaling Turns .73
.....................................
Snow Tires .278
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 296
........................
Sound System .129, 148
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .304
............................
Specif ications .336
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 262
....................
Specif ications Charts . 334
................................
Speed Control .174
........................
Speed Limiter .202, 209
...................................
Speedometer .65
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
How Your Airbags ............................
Work .46, 48,49
How Your SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .49
........................
SRS Components .46
..................................
SRS Service .51
.............................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .199
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .200
................
With a Dead Battery . 312 ........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 315
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
Stereo Sound ................................
System .129, 148
...........................
Storing Your Car .323
........................................
Sun Visor .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil .245
.....................................
Tachometer .65
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 286
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 303
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 342
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .340
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .344 ...........................
Tire Inf ormation .339
.......................
Temperature Gauge .66
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 344
..................
Time, Setting the . 135,153
....................................
Tire Chains .278
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 305
...............................................
Tires .273
..............................
Air Pressure .273
.........................
Checking Wear .275
..........................
Compact Spare .304
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
......................................
Inf lation .273
..................................
Inspection .275
...................................
Replacing .276
......................................
Rotating .276
...........................................
Snow .278
............................
Specif ications .336
.............
Technical Inf ormation . 339
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 305
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .221
................
Emergency Wrecker . 328
Index
T
VII

ÎÎ
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .256
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .257
..................
Fluid Selection . 256,257
..............
Identif ication Number . 332
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 204
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 201
.....................................
Treadwear .337
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
................................................
Trunk .87
....................
Emergency Opener .88
.................................
Opening the .87
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
....................................
Turn Signals .73
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .311
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .303
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 337
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .184
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .298
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 248.................................
Utility Pocket .107
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 193
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .334
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 332
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .216
........
VSA System Indicator . 62,217
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 62,216
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .217
.............................
Vehicle Storage .293
.................................................
VIN .332
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .299
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .245
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages .349
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 255
.....................................
Operation .75 .........................................
Washing .296
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 297
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 76
............
Alignment and Balance . 275
..........................
Compact Spare .304
......................................
Wrench .307
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .300
..................
Operating the Power . 97
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .75
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .73
.......................................
Washers .75
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .267
.....................................
Operation .73
....................................
Worn Tires .275
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 328
:U.S.only
Index
U V
W
VIII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Recommended Engine Oil: Fuel Tank Capacity:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: 6-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid:
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
2.1 US qt (2.0
)
Capacity:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-30
detergent oil (see page ).
4.4 US qt (4.2
) 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
17.1 US gal (64.7
) Front:
Rear:
244
256 257
260259