maintenance Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Guide

ÎÎ
Î
µ
µ
µ
µ
Î





*
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order in any of three ways:
Detach and mail the order f orm on the right half of this page
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356
(credit card orders only)
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should contact their authorized Acura dealer.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)
236
Price
Each
$69.00
$47.00
$44.00
$37.00
$12.00
$12.00
FREE (NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61S6M02
61S6M02EL 61S6M30
31S6M620
31S6M910
31S6MQ10 ACU-R Form Description
2002 04 Acura RSX Service Manual
2002 04 Acura RSX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002 04 Acura RSXBody Repair Manual 2004 Acura RSX
Owner’s Manual 2004 Acura RSX
Maintenance Journal 2004 Acura RSX
Quick Start Guide
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL HANDLING CHARGE Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.95Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
www. helminc. com

µµ
µ
(


%
)
$
%

.
"

#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
237
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

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
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .50
...............................................
SRS .50
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .52
..............................
Washer Level .53
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 49
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .33
Inf ant Seats .........................................
LATCH .37
...........................
Lower Anchors .37
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 183
...................................
Inside Mirror .80
.............................
Inspection, Tire .185
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,49
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 61
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 50
.................................
Interior Lights .83
........................................
Introduction . i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 195
.......................................
Jack, Tire .194
................................
Jump Starting .200 ..................................................
Keys .63
.......................
Label, Certif ication .218
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 60
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14,19
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 37
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .174
.....................................
Load Limit .130
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 65
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 65
............................
Fuel Fill Door .122
....................................
Glove Box .71
............................................
Hatch .68
..............
Power Door and Hatch . 67
........................
Low Coolant Level .125
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .52
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 51,204
.................................
Lower Anchor .37
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 136Lubricant Specif ications
..................................
Chart .220, 221
..............
Luggage, .129
.....
Luggage Cover (Cargo Cover) . 76
..................................
Maintenance .155
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 158
........................................
Record .161
......................
Required Indicator .54
..........................................
Saf ety .156
.............................
Schedule .159-160
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 51,206
...................
Manual Transmission . 136
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 170
................................
Shif ting the .136
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 170
...............................
Meters, Gauges .56
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .81
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 128
.........................................
Moonroof .80
......................
Closing Manually .209
.....................................
Operation .80
Storing (Cargo)
Index
J K
L
M
V

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 140
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 121
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .137
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 218 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 202
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 92
...........................
Readiness Codes .228
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 178
............................
Rear Seat Access .73
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .74
............................
Rear View Mirror .80
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 61
....................
Rear Window Washer .59
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .59
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 72
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 137
.......................
Reminder Indicators .49
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 180
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 165
.................................
Floor Mats .180
..........................................
Fuses .211
................................
Light Bulbs .174
....................................
Schedule .159
...................................
Seat Belts .180
...........................................
Tires .183
.............................
Wiper Blades .181
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 61
........................
Park Gear Position .140
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .82
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 51,208
........................
Parking Lights .60, 177
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
............................
Playing the Radio .92
..................................
Playing a CD .101
..................
Playing a CD Changer . 101
.................................
Playing a Tape .98
.............................
PGM-FI System .226
..........................
Power Door Locks .67
.................
Power Socket Locations . 85
..............................
Power Windows .78
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .29
.....................
General Guidelines .29
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .33
.............
Protecting Small Children . 34
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 121
.........................................
Odometer .56
...............................
Odometer, Trip .56
Oil ........................
Change, How to .165
......................
Change, When to .159
......................
Checking Engine .125
..............
Pressure Indicator . 51,204
Selecting Proper Viscosity ..............................
Chart .164, 165
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 66
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .226
..............................
Outside Mirrors .81
....................
Overheating, Engine .202
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 158
Index
N
O PR
VI

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