Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

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Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your warranty
in ef f ect. Keep all the receipts as
proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
Maintenance Record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of genuine
Acura parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. 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
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . 125
125
167
169 171
185
174
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance158

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Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
CONT INUED
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maint enance
159
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
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Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)(
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Check inflation and condition once a month Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 100
160
90
144
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120
192 130
208140
224150
240
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage) Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) 110
176
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
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See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, middle column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
186)
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 fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
1: : 158
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per
trip or, in f reezing temperatures,
driving less than 10 miles (16 km)
per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F
(32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads. Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. T railer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Maint enance Canadian Owners
160
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
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10
16 20
3230
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 100
160
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 130
208
140
224
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
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)Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage) 110
176
120
192
60
96 90
144 150
240
Clean every 15,000 miles (24,000 km), and replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
(Use normal schedule except in dusty condition)
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See dust and pollen filter on page for
replacement information under special
driving conditions.
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3
years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000
km) or 2 years.
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, middle column,
page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
186)
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 fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Clean and replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 1:
2:
: 180
158
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

(f or Normal and Severe Schedules)
CONT INUED
Maintenance Record
Maint enance161
5,000 mi
10,000 mi
15,000 mi
20,000 mi
25,000 mi
30,000 mi
35,000 mi
40,000 mi45,000 mi
50,000 mi
55,000 mi
60,000 mi
65,000 mi
70,000 mi
75,000 mi
80,000 mi
8,000 km
16,000 km
24,000 km
32,000 km
(or 1 year)
40,000 km
48,000 km
56,000 km
64,000 km
(or 2 years) Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date72,000 km
80,000 km
88,000 km
96,000 km
(or 3 years)
104,000 km
112,000 km
120,000 km
128,000 km
(or 4 years)Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
You or the servicing dealer can record all completed maintenance here, whether you follow the schedule for normal conditions (page ) or severe
conditions (page ). Keep the receipts for all work done on your vehicle.
159
160

(f or Normal and Severe Schedules)Maintenance Record
Maint enance162
85,000 mi
90,000 mi
95,000 mi
100,000 mi
105,000 mi
110,000 mi
115,000 mi
120,000 mi125,000 mi
130,000 mi
135,000 mi
140,000 mi
145,000 mi
150,000 mi
155,000 mi
160,000 mi
136,000 km
144,000 km
152,000 km
160,000 km
(or 5 years)
168,000 km
176,000 km
184,000 km
192,000 km
(or 6 years) Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date200,000 km
208,000 km
216,000 km
224,000 km
(or 7 years)
232,000 km
240,000 km
248,000 km
256,000 km
(or 8 years)Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date

Fluid Locations
Maint enance163
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
(Black cap)POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
(Manual Transmission only)
CLUTCH FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)

Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Install the engine oil f ill cap and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes and recheck the oil level. Do
not f ill above the upper mark on the
dipstick; you could damage the
engine. 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 vehicle.
RSX and Premium models
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
Recommended Oil
164
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL Ambient Temperature

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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). Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
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 maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
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. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
1.
CONT INUED
Type-S
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
165
Ambient Temperature

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.Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
4. 3.
2. (Type-S) (RSX and Premium models)
5.
6.
Type-S RSX and Premium models
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance166
WASHER OIL DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)

CONT INUED
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
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 them.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water. If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
7.
8.
9.
Changing the Oil and Filter, Windshield Washers, Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
Windshield Washers
167
NOTICE:
NOTICE:
MAX
MIN
Do not use engine antif reeze
or vinegar/water solution in the
windshield reservoir. Antif reeze can
damage your vehicle’s paint, while a
vinegar/water solution can damage the
windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially available windshield
washer f luid.
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.