light Acura RSX 2003 Repair Manual

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Maint enance200
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. 10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Clean or replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 24
4872
12 3660
1: : 197
M/T
A/T
232
Clean every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), and replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions)
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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CONT INUED
Maint enance201
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
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
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
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
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km
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
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
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
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Clean air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time).
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Clean air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time). Replace transmission fluid (M/T, A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B. Clean air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time). Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
Replace engine oil.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page238).
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 dust and pollen filter.
196
1
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
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . 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

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, then 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)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
) 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.

The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the driver’s side
headlight. Check the reservoir’s f luid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Windshield Washers, T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
217
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR
LEVEL GAUGE DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

Lif t up the cover slightly, then
move it sideways to separate it
f rom the breather tube.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, and tighten the five bolts.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Push the air cleaner housing cover
into the breather tube. Install the breather tube clamp.
Install the intake air duct and
clamp.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.9.
10.
11.
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance223
COVER
BREATHER TUBE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it. Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. Remove the ignition coil.
6. 5.
4. 3.
7.8.
(RSX and Premium models)
(Type-S)
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance225
CONNECTOR
IGNITION
COIL LOCK TAB
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
18 lbf·ft (25 N·m , 2.5 kgf·m)

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
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
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.

Check the operation of your car’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
car’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Lights
Maint enance242
HEADLIGHT HIGH
BEAMTURN SIGNAL LIGHT HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM
PARKING LIGHT

Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. 290
Lights
Maint enance243
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BACK-UP LIGHT
HIGH-MOUNT
BRAKE LIGHT
SIDE MARKER LIGHT LICENSE PLATE LIGHT
TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT