spark plugs replace Acura RSX 2003 Owner's Manual

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .194
.
Important Safety Precautions . 195
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 196
...
Required Maintenance Record . 203
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Fluid Locations .206
......................................
Engine Oil .207
..................................
Adding Oil .207
....................
Recommended Oil .207
..............................
Synthetic Oil .209
....................................
Additives .209
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 209
.............................
Cooling System .212
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 212
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
.......................
Transmission Fluid .217
..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 219
............................
Brake System .220
...........................
Clutch System .220
..............................
Power Steering .221
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
....................................
Hood Latch .224 ....................................
Spark Plugs .224
..............................
Replacement .224
............................
Specif ications .226
...........................................
Battery .226
.................................
Wiper Blades .229
..............
Air Conditioning System . 231
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 232
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...............................................
Tires .235
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
.............................
Tire Rotation .238
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 239
......................
Wheels and Tires .240
..........................
Winter Driving .240
.............................
Snow Tires .241
............................
Tire Chains .241
.............................................
Lights .242
.....................
Headlight Aiming .244
........................
Replacing Bulbs .244
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
306
Maintenance
Maint enance193

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Maint enance198
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then
every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
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
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, suspension components
Driveshaft boots, brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 24
4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
1: : 197
232
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance199
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A, B, C
A
B
C
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
10,000 mi/16,000 km/1 yr
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mi/48,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
3yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
6yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
238).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
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.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B. Replace brake fluid (independent of
mileage).
Do items in A. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B. Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Replace brake fluid (independent of
mileage).
Do items in A. Replace air cleaner element (independent of
time). Replace transmission fluid (M/T, A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace brake fluid (independent of
mileage). Replace engine coolant.Inspect idle speed.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
196
1
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
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.
NOTE: 1:
: 236
197
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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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
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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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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
6yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
115,000 mi/184,000 km/6-½ yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Clean air cleaner element (independent of
time).
Do items in A. Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
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. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace engine coolant.Inspect idle speed.
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils. Remove the four nuts, then
remove the coil cover.
1.
2.
ReplacementSpark Plugs
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
224
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
PIVOTS COIL
COVER
NUTS

Oil........................
Change, How to .209
......................
Change, When to .198
......................
Checking Engine .159
..............
Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .208
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .297
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 287
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .272
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Paint Touch-up .255
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 70
........................
Park Gear Position .174
...........................................
Parking .180
.................................
Parking Brake .95
........................
Parking Lights .69, 247
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 180
.............................
PGM-FI System .297 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 255
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 272
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 125
...........................
Readiness Codes .299
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 249
............................
Rear Seat Access .86
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .94
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
....................
Rear Window Washer .72
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .72 ...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 85
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 171
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 222
.......................................
Coolant .214
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 209
..........................................
Fuses .280
................................
Light Bulbs .244
....................................
Schedule .198
................................
Spark Plugs .224
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .229
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 212
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 174
................................
Rotation, Tire .238
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 48
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
Index
P R
S
VI