fuel Acura RSX 2005 Owner's Manual

2005 RSX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.............................................4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .49
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Features ........................................................................\
......................................................................87
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................119
What gasoline to use, how to brea k-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .133
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................153
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................191
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................215
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................227
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................231
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESHEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.
67) INDICATORS
GAUGES
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 122)
(P.123) (P.
136, 139)
(P.
92)
(P.
88)
PARKING BRAKE
(P.
80) (P.57)(P.
51)
(P.81)
(P.
77)

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .50
............................
Instrument Panel .51
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
.............................................
Gauges .57
.....................................
Odometer .57
...................................
Trip Meter .57
..................................
Fuel Gauge .58
...................
Temperature Gauge . 58
..........
Check Fuel Cap Indicator . 58
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .59
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers . 60
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 61
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 62
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 62
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 62
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 63
...............................
Keys and Locks .64
........................
Immobilizer System .65
................................
Ignition Switch .66
......................................
Door Locks .67
.........
Power Door/Hatch Locks . 67
............................................
Hatch .68
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
.................................................
Seats .71
....................................
Seat Heaters .74 ...........................
Cargo Area Cover .75
..............................
Power Windows .77
.........................................
Moonroof .79
.............................................
Mirrors .79
.................................
Parking Brake .81
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 82
.......................
Beverage Holders .83
..........
Accessory Power Sockets . 83
...............
Console Compartment . 84
....................................
Glove Box .84
..............................
Vanity Mirror .85
....................................
Coat Hook .85
.................................
Interior Lights .86
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
49

AT model is shown.
Control L ocations
50
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASEMIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
INDICATORS
(P. 67) (P.88)
(P. 92)
(P. 136, 139)
(P. 123)
(P.
122)
PARKING BRAKE
(P.
77) (P.
80) (P.
51)
(P. 57)
(P.81)

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 rols
51
HIGH BEAM 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 (P.
54)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 53)
(P. 54)
(P. 54)
(P. 56)
(P.
55)
(P.53)
(P. 205)
(P. 53, 204)
(P. 53, 204) SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.
52)
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR (P. 52)
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATOR (P.
54)
(P. 52)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
(P. 54) SELECT/RESET
BUTTON
DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P.
54)

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 if either
door is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
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 press on the Hazard
Warning button, both turn signal
indicators blink. All turn signals on
the outside of the vehicle should
flash.
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will go of f if you
have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
115
61
174
65
Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator
Door-open Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Beam Indicator Immobilizer System
Indicator
54

The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. The odometer and the
two trip meters use the same display.
Switch between these displays and
the odometer by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so youcan keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0.’’
Odometer T rip Meter
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57
TEMPERATURE GAUGE TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
SELECT/RESET BUTTON
ODOMETER/TRIP METER

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.(Odometer/trip meter message)
If your f uel cap is loose or missing, a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears as text in the odometer/trip
meter display after you start the
engine. Turn the engine of f and
conf irm the f uel cap is installed. If it
is, loosen the cap, then retighten it at
least 3 clicks. When you restart the
engine, the message appears again.
To clear the message, press and hold
the select/reset button until the
message is replaced the odometer/
trip meter display.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel cap, the Malf unction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f and check or
retighten the fuel cap at least 3 clicks.
The MIL goes out af ter 3 days of
normal driving once the cap is
tightened or replaced. If it does not
go out, have your dealer inspect the
vehicle. For more inf ormation, see
page .
202
205
Fuel Gauge
T emperature GaugeCheck Fuel Cap Indicator
Gauges
58
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use, and how to check
the levels of important f luids. You
also need to know how to properly
store luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first......................
General Precautions .120
.............................
Break-in Period .121
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 121
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
.....................................
Ref ueling .122
OpeningandClosingthe ........................................
Hood .123
....................................
Oil Check .125
..............
Engine Coolant Check .125
...............................
Fuel Economy .126
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 127
.............................
Carrying Cargo .129
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
119

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. Use of
a lower octane gasoline can cause
occasional metallic knocking noises
in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use
of a gasoline with a pump octane less
than 86 can lead to engine damage.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer f or service.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
We recommend gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.(All models except Type-S) (Type-S)
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
121