engine oil Acura RSX 2002 User Guide

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CONT INUED
Maint enance201
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A
B
C
D
E
F
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
5,000 mi/8,000 km/6 mos
10,000 mi/16,000 km/1 yr
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1-½ yrs
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
25,000 mi/40,000 km/2 yrs
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
35,000 mi/56,000 km/2-½ yrs
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km/3 yrs
55,000 mi/88,000 km/3-½ yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
65,000 mi/104,000 km/4 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
75,000 mi/120,000 km/4-½ yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
85,000 mi/136,000 km/5 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs Replace engine oil.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
238).
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches.
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air cleaner element (independent of time).
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Clean air cleaner element every 15,000 mi/
24,000 km (independent of time).
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent of
mileage).
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
DoitemsinA,E,F.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace transmission fluid (M/T, A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,D.
196
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Maint enance202
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy. See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
NOTE: 1:
: 197 232
95,000 mi/152,000 km/5-½ yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km/7 yrs
115,000 mi/184,000 km/6-½ yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
DoitemsinA,E,F
Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, B. Inspect idle speed.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid (M/T, A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace engine coolant.
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
159
216
217 219 235
244
160
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance205

CONT INUED
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. 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.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 car f or as
long as you own it.
A dding Oil
Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance207
A AP
PI
IC
CE ER
RT TI
IFFI ICCA A T
TI
IOON N S
SEEA
A L
L
E
E
N
NG GIINNE E O
OIILL F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P

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The SAE numbers tell you the oil’s
viscosity or weight. Select the oil f or
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or improved f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
Acura. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C).
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30
oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next
oil change.
RSX and Premium models
Type-S
Engine Oil
Maint enance208
A Am
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree
A
A m
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Your Acura does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives f or
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car’s perf ormance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car 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
maintenancedonebyaskilled
mechanic.
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 as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Additives Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance209

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required to remove the
f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
4. 3.
2.
1.
Engine Oil
Maint enance210
O OI
ILL F
FIILLT T E
ER
R
W
WA AS
SHH E
ER
R
O
OIILL D
DR
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT

Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick. Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): 7.
8.
9.
5.
6.
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
Engine Oil
Maint enance211
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.4 US qt (4.2
, 3.7 Imp qt)
5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

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Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Plug Gap:
Plug Gap:
Insert the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil.
Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the f our nuts.
9.
(RSX and Premium models)
10.
11. 12. DENSO: NGK:
NGK:
DENSO:
(Type-S) Battery
Specif ications:
Maint enance
Spark Plugs, Battery
226
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0.04 in (1.1 mm) IZFR6K11
SKJ20DR-M11
IFR7G-11K
SK22PR-M110
0.1mm
0
0.1mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
290
CONT INUED
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance231
A AI
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them. Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.