service indicator 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.

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features . 9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 13
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
4. Fasten and Position the ...
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belts . 15
5. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .16 .....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts .19
..
Seat Belt System Components . 19
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 21
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .22
......
Airbag System Components . 22
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .27
.............................
Airbag Service .27
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 27
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .28
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .28
All Children Should Sit in a .................................
Back Seat .29 The Passenger’s Front Airbag
................
Poses Serious Risks . 29
If You Must Drive with .....................
Several Children .30
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .31
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 31
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .32
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .32
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .34
....................
Installing a Child Seat .35
Installing a Child Seat ...........................
With LATCH .36
..........................
With a Seat Belt .38
..............................
With a Tether .39
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 41
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit . 41
..................
Using a Booster Seat . 42
When Can a Child Sit in Larger .........................................
Front .43
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 44
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 45
...................................
Saf ety Labels .46
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7

Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. If a
f ront airbag inf lates, the seat belt
tensioners must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by your dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.
Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly. Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
Improperly replacing
or covering f ront seat-back covers
can prevent your side airbags f rom
inf lating during a side impact.
This indicator
alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the indicator should come
on brief ly and go out (see page ).
If it doesn’t light, stays on, or comes
on while driving without a passenger
in the front seat, have the system
checked. 52
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How the Side Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
Airbag Service
Additional Saf ety Precautions
An airbag ever inf lates.
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o aproblem. Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -back covers wit hout consult ingyour dealer.
not
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
27
U.S. Canada

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

Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least three times.
If you do not properly tighten the
cap, the Malf unction Indicator
Lampmaycomeon(seepage).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood just to lef t of
center. Lif t up the hood latch
handle until it releases the hood.
Lif t up the hood.
1.
2.
5.
6.
205
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
Bef ore Driving
123
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE LATCH

This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low. Serious engine damage is
possible and you should take
immediate action. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see
on page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
125
162
213
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
204
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II), and as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay on if you
do not f ully release the parking
brake.
If the f luid level is low, take the
vehicle to your dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low in the reservoir.
Press lightly on the brake pedal to
see if it f eels normal. If it does,
check the brake f luid level the next
time you stop at a service station
(see page ). 213
169
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
206
Canada
U.S.

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .66
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 83
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 163
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 27
.............................
Airbag Service .27
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
................
Air Conditioning System . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .182
......................................
Antif reeze .165
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .53, 147
...................................
Operation .147
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .66 ..................................
Audio System .92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 115
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .219
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 167
.......................................
Shif ting .139
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .53, 204
............................
Jump Starting .200
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bef ore Driving .119
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 19
...........................
Beverage Holders .83
..................................
Booster Seats .42
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 121....................
Bulb Replacement .177
...........................................
Fluid .169
.................
System Indicator . 53,206
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 121
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 62
........................
Brights, Headlights .61
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .177
..............................
Brake Lights .177
................
Front Parking Lights . 175
....................
Front Side Marker . 176
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 174
.................................
Headlights .172
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 177
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 178
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .172
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 125
...............................
Restraint, Child .28
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 140
................................
Rotation, Tire .185
................................
Saf ety Belts .10, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 230
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 46
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................................
Seat Belts .10, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
.....................................
Cleaning .179
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .19, 52
...................
System Components . 19...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder .....................................
Belt .15, 19
....................................
Seat Heaters .74
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 13,71
............................
Security System .114
...............................
Serial Number .216
...........................
Service Intervals .157
...........................
Service Manual .231
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
..........................
Setting the Clock .113
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 139
........................
Shif t Lock Release .144
Shif ting .
The Automatic Transmission . 139
The 5-speed and 6-speed
.........
Manual Transmissions . 136
..............................
Side Airbags .11, 25
..........................
Of f Indicator .27, 52
...............................
Signaling Turns .61
.....................................
Snow Tires .187
..................................
Sound System .92
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .192
............................
Specif ications .219
....................
Specif ications Charts . 218................................
Speed Control .115
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 27
.............................
Airbag Service .27
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,52
..............
State Emissions Testing . 226
....
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 .63
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 66
.......................................
Buttons .116
.....................
Stereo Sound System .92
Index
S
INDEX
VII