warning Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2004 Acura RSX was a wise investment.
It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer’s
staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura.
Your Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to
answer any questions and concerns.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm. As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
on the vehicle.preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety L abels
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
TILT ADJUSTMENTHORN INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
CRUISE CONTROL
MOONROOF HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS (P.
61)
(P. 61)
(P. 80)
(P.60) (P.
62) (P.
61)
(P.
59)
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 115)

You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your vehicle is
equipped with airbags, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them
properly. (See page .)
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster
and a lap/shoulder belt until theycanusethebeltproperlywithouta
booster (see page ).
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either. While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual (see page
). Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
14 1041
159
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Restrain All ChildrenDon’t Drink and Drive Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
6

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To remind you of the passenger’s
f ront airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the back seat, your vehicle has
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.To remind you of the f ront airbag
hazards, your vehicle has warning
labels on the driver’s and f ront
passenger’s visors. Please read and
f ollow the instructions on these
labels.
Your vehicle has two seating
positions in the back seat where
children can be properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
two children, and a child must ride in
front:
Place the largest child in the f ront
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear the lap/shoulder
belt properly (see page ).
Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).
Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).
Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page ). 11
16
14 41
Protecting Children General Guidelines
U.S. Models
Canadian ModelsIf You Must Drive with Several
Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety31

...........................
Control Locations .48
............................
Instrument Panel .49
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 50
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .54
.........
Security System Indicator . 55
.............................................
Gauges .56
.....................................
Odometer .56
...................................
Trip Meter .56
..................................
Fuel Gauge .57
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .58 ......................
Wipers and Washers .59
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 61
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 61
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 61
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 62
...............................
Keys and Locks .63
........................
Immobilizer System .64
................................
Ignition Switch .65
......................................
Door Locks .67
.........
Power Door/Hatch Locks . 67
............................................
Hatch .68
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
........................................
Glove Box .71
.................................................
Seats .72
....................................
Seat Heaters .75
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .76
..............................
Power Windows .78
.........................................
Moonroof .80
.............................................
Mirrors .80
.................................
Parking Brake .82
.................................
Interior Lights .83
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 84
.......................
Beverage Holders .85
..........
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
...............
Console Compartment . 86
This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instruments and Controls
47

ÎÎ
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols49
HIGH BEAM INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATORSIDE AIRBAG CUT-OFF INDICATOR TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
(P.
206)
(P. 51, 204)
(P. 51, 205) (P.
52)
(P. 51)
(P. 52)
(P. 54)
(P. 53)
(P. 55) (P.
50)
(P. 50)
(P.52)
(P. 52)
(P.52)
(P. 50)
(P.
51)

Only on models equipped with CruiseControl System
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator does not
blink or blinks rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you push the Hazard Warning
button, both turn signal lights blink.
All turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash. This indicator comes on if either
door is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon. 60
176 115
Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Turn Signal
Indicator and
Hazard Warning
Button
Door-open Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols52

Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERSHORN
TILT ADJUSTMENT
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
MOONROOF REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
CRUISE CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON

The knob on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel. Turn the knob to
adjust the brightness.Pushtheredbuttontoturnonthe
hazard warning lights (f our-way
flashers). This causes all four
outside turn signals and both
indicators in the instrument panel to
f lash. Use the hazard warning lights
if you need to park in a dangerous
area near heavy traffic, or if your
vehicle is disabled.The rear window def ogger will clear
fog,frost,andthinicefromthe
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and of f . The indicator in
the button comes on to show the
def ogger is on. If you do not turn it
of f , the def ogger will shut itself of f
af ter about 25 minutes. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition.
You have to turn it on again when
you restart the vehicle.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button, Rear Window Def ogger
Rear Window Def ogger
Instrument Panel Brightness Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols61