towing 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·
µ·
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 700 lbs (325 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, accessories, and
the tongue weight if you are towing a
trailer.
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 700 lbs (325 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
(The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb).
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit: Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
700 lbs (325 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the maximum load is
700 lbs (325 kg) and there will be
f our 150 lb (70 kg) passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 100 lbs (45 kg).
[700 600 (4 150) = 100 lbs]/
[325 280 (4 70) = 45 kg]
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loadedon the vehicle. The weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
If yourvehiclewillbetowinga
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. [See page .]
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers,
accessories,cargo,andtrailer
tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
4.
6.
5.
1. 2.
3.
148
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
130
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, and f acts you
need if you are planning to tow a
trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .134
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
.................
Manual Transmissions . 136
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
...........................................
Parking .145
.............................
Braking System .146
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 147
...........................
Towing a Trailer .148
Driving
Driving
133

µµµµµ
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch. Press the brake
pedal, and move the shif t lever f rom
Park to Reverse. To shif t f rom
Reverse to Neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.
Your vehicle has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t to
Reverse when the vehicle speed
exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h). Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from Neutral to
another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear f or acceleration.
This position is simi-
lartoD,exceptonlythefirstthree
gears are selected. Use D when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to
provide engine braking when going
down a steep hill. D can also keep
the transmission f rom cycling third,
f ourth and f if th gears in stop-and-go
driving.
If you cannot shif t to Reverse when
the vehicle is stopped, press the
brake pedal and slowly shift to
Neutral, and then to Reverse.
If there is a problem in the reverse
lockout system, or your vehicle’s
battery is disconnected or goes dead,
you cannot shif t to Reverse. (Ref er
to
on page ).
144
144
3
3
Automatic Transmission
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release Reverse (R)
Neutral (N)
Drive (D)
Drive (D )
Shif t L ock Release
3
140

Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailerandeverthinginoronit
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
total trailer weight. Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to
sway.
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
Towing a Trailer
148
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

CONT INUED
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatvehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load is 3,725 lbs (1,690 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
axles are 1,960 lbs (890 kg) on the
f ront axle, and 1,830 lbs (830 kg)
on the rear axle.
Towing a Trailer
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Hitches
Driving
149

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the right
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin. If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
f rom your dealer.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
150
TAILLIGHT
(RED/YELLOW) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/RED)RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
GROUND
(BLACK)
BACK UP LIGHT
(GREEN)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
Driveslowerthannormalinall
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T owing Speeds and GearsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving
151

If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear (manual) or D (automatic). Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the left,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
3
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
152

µµ
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only drive
under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
). Trailer towing, driving with a roof
top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
121
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
Maint enance
155
NOTE: