automatic transmission Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Guide

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on the
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, audio system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed200
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

µµ µ
CONT INUED
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral. ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine. Start the engine. Release the parking brake.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
Manual Transmission: Automatic Transmission:
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura. T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
215
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.

The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block.
The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation219
ENGINE NUMBERMANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER

µ
Î
Î
Î
Î
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Î
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation221
Capacities
Fuses
Alignment
Tires
Lights
Battery 0.0in(0mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0°00’
1.8 US qt (1.7
)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
2.9 US qt (2.7
)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 0°45’
1°30’
P205/55R16 89V
T135/70D15 99M
T125/70D16 96M P195/65R15 89H
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)
Manual
transmission
fluid
Interior
Under-hood
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
Headlights
Front turn signal
Front position lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake/Taillights
High-mount brake light
Rear side marker lights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Cargo area light
Spotlights
Glove box light
12 V 3.4 W12 V
12 V 12 V
12 V 12 V
8W 5W
8W
5W
21 W
5W
21 W
21 W/5 W
21 W
5W(Amber) 55 W
21 W
12 V 36 AH/5 HR
Capacity 55 W
12 V
12 V See page
213or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 214or the fuse box
cover.
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare
High
Low
1:
2:
3:
4:Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Canadian RSX
U.S. RSX
Canadian Premium
Type-S
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles
Automatic trans-
mission fluid
Windshield
washer reservoir
1
2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3
4

If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
Neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
St at e Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation
T esting of Readiness Codes
228

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .66
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 165
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
................
Air Conditioning System . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .184
......................................
Antif reeze .168
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .51, 147
...................................
Operation .147
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .65 ..................................
Audio System .92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 115
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .220
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 169
.......................................
Shif ting .139
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .51, 205
............................
Jump Starting .200
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bef ore Driving .119
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .85
..................................
Booster Seats .42
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 121....................
Bulb Replacement .174
...........................................
Fluid .171
.................
System Indicator . 51,208
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 121
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 61
........................
Brights, Headlights .60
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .178
..............................
Brake Lights .178
................
Front Parking Lights . 177
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 176
.................................
Headlights .174
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 178
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 178
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .174
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..................................
Engine Oil .125
..........................
Directional Signals .60
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .167
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 67
......................
Power Door Locks .67
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
Downshif ting, 5-speed and6-speed
.............
Manual Transmissions . 136
.....................................
Drive Belts .172
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .133
....................................
Economy .126 .....................................
Fan, Interior .90
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .87
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 122
Filters ...............................................
Oil .165
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 61
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 193
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..........................................
Brake .171
.........................................
Clutch .172
..............
Manual Transmission . 170
..........................
Power Steering .173
..................
Windshield Washer . 167
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .93
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .74
..........................
Four-way Flashers .61
..............................
Economy, Fuel .126
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .200
.......................................
Towing .215
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
............
Emergencies on the Road . 191
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 200 ...........
Brake System Indicator . 208
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 193
.....
Charging System Indicator . 205
..................
Checking the Fuses . 211
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 206
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 209
..................
Overheated Engine . 202
......................
Emergency Flashers .61
......................
Emergency Towing .215
.......................
Emissions Controls .225
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 228
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 57
.................................
Drive Belts .172
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 137,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .51, 206
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 51,204
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 164
...............................
Overheating .202
............................
Specif ications .220
.......................................
Starting .135
...................
Engine, .135
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 225
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .45 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
F
E
III

............................
Front Airbags .10, 22
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .72
.........................................
Heaters .75
...................................
Airbags .10, 22
.................................................
Fuel .121
......................
Fill Door and Cap .122
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Reserve Indicator .52
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .211
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 126
.........................................
Gasoline .121
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 52
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
................
Gas Station Procedures . 122
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57 Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission . 139
5-speed and 6-speed Manual
.......................
Transmissions .136
........................................
Glove Box .71
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 174
................................................
Hatch .68
.................................
Opening the .68
............................
Open Indicator .52
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .174
............
Daytime Running Lights . 60
..................
High Beam Indicator . 52
........................
Reminder Beeper .60
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 174
...................................
Turning on .60
.....................................
Heater, Seat .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .88
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 135
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 60
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 178
....................................
Hood Latch .173 .......................
Hood, Opening the .123
..................................................
Horn .58
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .172
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 218
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .63
...........................................
Switch .65
............
Timing Control System . 226
........................
Immobilizer System .64
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators ...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 51
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .51
................
Charging System . 51,205
.............................
Cruise Control .52
....................................
Door-open .52
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .53
...................................
High Beam .52
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 53
......................................
Low Fuel .52
................
Low Oil Pressure . 51,204
Index
G H
I
IV

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 167
...............................
Restraint, Child .29
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 140
................................
Rotation, Tire .186
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 234
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 46
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14,19
........................
Maintenance .21, 180
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .19, 50
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17 ...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14
....................................
Seat Heaters .75
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 11,72
............................
Security System .114
...............................
Serial Number .218
...........................
Service Intervals .159
...........................
Service Manual .236
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
..........................
Setting the Clock .113
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
........................
Shif t Lock Release .144
Shif ting .
The Automatic Transmission . 139
The 5-speed and 6-speed .........
Manual Transmissions . 136
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 25
....................
Cutof f Indicator .27, 50
...............................
Signaling Turns .60
.....................................
Snow Tires .187
..................................
Sound System .92
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .192
............................
Specif ications .221
....................
Specif ications Charts . 220
................................
Speed Control .115 ..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,50
..............
State Emissions Testing . 228
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 66
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .135
................
With a Dead Battery . 200
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 202
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .62
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 65
.......................................
Buttons .116
.....................
Stereo Sound System .92
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .190
Index
S
VII

Supplemental Restraint................................
System .10, 22
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .26 ,50
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil .165
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .191
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 222
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .123
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 167
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 130
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .220
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 218
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 178
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .191
......................................
Tape Player .98
................
Technical Descriptions . 217
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 225
..........
State Emissions Testing . 228
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .227
.................................
Tire Labeling .224
.......................
Temperature Gauge .57
..........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 91
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
............................
Thef t Protection .112
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 227
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 62..........................
Time, Setting the .113
....................................
Tire Chains .188
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 193
...............................................
Tires .183
..............................
Air Pressure .184
.........................
Checking Wear .185
..........................
Compact Spare .192
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
......................................
Inf lation .183
..................................
Inspection .185
..............................
Maintenance .185
...................................
Replacing .186
......................................
Rotating .186
...........................................
Snow .187
............................
Specif ications .221
................................
Tire Chains .188
..........................
Winter Driving .187
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 193
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .149
................................
Emergency .215
....
Equipment and Accessories . 151
.............................
Weight Limit .149
...........................
Traction Devices .188
.............................
Trailer Loading .149
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .149 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .169
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .170
...........................
Fluid Selection .170
..............
Identif ication Number . 218
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 139
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 136
.....................................
Treadwear .222
.......................................
Trip Meter .56
....................................
Turn Signals .60
Index
T
U
V
VIII