lights Acura RSX 2002 Owner's Guide

You operate the CD player with the
same controls used f or the radio. You can use the instrument panel
brightness control dial to adjust the il-
lumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
With the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II), insert
the disc into the CD slot. Push the
disc in half way, the drive will pull it
in the rest of the way and begin to
play. The number of the track that is
playing is shown in the display.You can also play 3-inch (8-cm) discs
without using an adapter ring. Play
only standard round discs. Odd-
shaped CDs may jam in the drive or
cause other problems.
For best results when using CD-R
discs, use only high quality discs
labeled f or audio use. When
recording a CD-R, the recording
must be closed in order f or the disc
to be used by CD players. CD-RW
discs will not work in this unit.
When the system reaches the end of
the disc, it will return to the begin-
ning and play that disc again.
70
Operating the CD Player A udio System L ighting
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures115
C CD D S
SLLOOT T
A
A M
M /
/F
FM M B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
P
P W
WR R//V
V O
OL L K
KNNO OBB
C
CD
D /
/T
T A
A P
PE
E B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N R
REEP
PE
EA
A T
T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
R
RA A N
ND DO
OM M B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
R
RA
A N
ND DO
OM M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R R
RE
EP
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EA
A T
T B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
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EJ
JEE C
CT T
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N
S
SE EE
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K/ /S
SK KIIPP B
BAA R
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You can use the instrument panel
brightness control dial to adjust the il-
lumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
Those bands cover these f requen-
cies:
AM band:
530 to 1,710 kilohertz
FM band:
87.7 to 107.9 megahertz
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned f requencies at least ten
kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550).
Stations on the FM band are
assigned f requencies at least 0.2
megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3).Stations must use these exact
f requencies. It is f airly common f or
stations to round-of f the f requency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a f requency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identif y
the station as ‘‘FM101.’’
A radio station’s signal gets weaker
as you get f arther away f rom its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound
volume becoming weaker, and the
stationdriftinginandout.If youare
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator f lickering of f
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator willgo of f and the sound will f ade
completely as you get out of range of
the station’s signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a
f requency close to the f requency of
the station you are listening to can
also af f ect your radio’s reception.
You may temporarily hear both
stations,orhearonlythestationyou
are close to.
Your Honda’s radio can receive the
complete AM and FM bands.
How well your Acura’s radio receives
stations is dependent on many
f actors, such as the distance f rom
the station’s transmitter, nearby
large objects, and atmospheric
conditions.
70
A udio System L ighting
Radio Frequencies
Radio Reception
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures131

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 sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and hatch. The
security system indicator on the
instrument panel starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself . 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 Open Indicator on
the instrument panel (see page ),
toseeif thedoorsarefullyclosed.
Since they are not part of the
monitor display, manually check the
hood and hatch.
The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
alarm stops. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either door with the
key or the remote transmitter.
61
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures148
S SE
EC
CU UR RIITT Y
Y S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M L
LIIGGH HT
T

Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ).
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation. Bef ore installing any accessory:
Have the installer contact your
Acura dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has Genuine Acura
accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved f or your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Acura accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on the page f or
additional information.)
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operationof your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
131 280
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving162
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’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.

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8.
7. 6. 5.
4. 10.
11.
12.
16
86
95 74 169
59
Preparing to Drive
Driving168

µMake sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
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.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire. Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving180

Check your brakes af ter 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. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving. 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 downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
Your Acura 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 ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving181

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 107
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving184

If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically 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.Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualified mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
f rom your Acura dealer.
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.
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.
Trailer Brakes Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
Driving189
L LEE F
FTT T
TU
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L
(
( G
GR REEE
EN
N/ /R
RE ED
D )
)
B
BR RAA K
KEE L
LIIGGH HT
T
(
( W
WH HI
ITT E
E/
/B
BL LAA C
CKK)) G
GR
ROOU UNNDD
(
( B
BL LAA C
CKK))
T
T
A
A I
ILLL LIIGGH HT
T
(
( R
RE ED
D /
/Y
YE EL
LLLOOW W) ) R
RI
IGGH HT
T T
TU
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L
(
( G
GR REEE
EN
N/ /Y
YE EL
LLLOOW W) )
B
BA A C
CKK U
UPP L
LIIGGH HT
T
(
( G
GR REEE
EN
N) )

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.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, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see page ). 235
187
Pre-T ow Checklist
Additional Trailer Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving190