fuel Acura RSX 2006 Owner's Manual

2006 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.helminc.com.

Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Wo r

ds About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.......................................................4
Driver and Pas

senger Safety ........................................................................\
...............................................7
P r

oper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Cont r
ols........................................................................\
...................................................49
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
............................... 87
How t o
op era

te the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................... .
............. .

131
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................145
The proper way to start

the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.........................................................................165
T h
e Ma int

enance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................203
This section covers severa l pr

oblems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
.......................................................227
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and techni

cal information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)..................................................................... 239
A summary of th
e warr anties coverin

g your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
.......................................243
How t o
order manuals an

d other technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Service Inf ormat

ion Summary
A summary of informat

ion you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESAUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE GAUGES
PARKING BRAKE
(P.57)
(P.81)
(P.77)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.135)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK
SWITCH
(P.80)MIRROR
CONTROLS
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
(P.88)
(P.92)
(P.148,151)
(P.67)
(P.11,23) (P.51)
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
FRONT PASSENGER’S
AIRBAG
(P.11,23)
(P.134)

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, .........
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
SWITCHESMIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
(P.67)
(P.88)
(P.92)
PARKING BRAKE
(P.77)
(P.80)
(P.57)
(P.81)
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS (P.51)
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.148,151)
(P.135)
(P.134) FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE HANDLE

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)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) DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
(P.217)
(P.53,216)
(P.53,216) SELECT/RESET
KNOB
(P.56)
(P.55)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position with the headlight
switch of f and the parking brake set.
It should go of f if you turn on the
headlights or release the parking
brake. If it comes on at any other
time, it means there is a problem
withtheDRL.Theremayalsobea
problem with the high beam
headlights.This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this indicator
come on (see page ).
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Ref er to the maintenance schedule
f or normal and severe driving
conditions on pages and .
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the maintenance required
indicator is reset, it will come on f or
2 seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), it will
come on f or 2 seconds when you
first turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, and then f lash f or
10 seconds.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 1.9 US gal (7.5
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
reading reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the reading does reach E. 179
169170
Canadian models only Canadian models only
Instrument Panel Indicators
Washer L evel IndicatorMaintenance Required
Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Daytime Running L ights
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
55

The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal 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.To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’.
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 knob repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
Odometer T rip Meter
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57
TEMPERATURE GAUGE TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
ODOMETER/TRIP METER SELECT/RESET KNOB

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.(Odometer/trip meter message)
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 engines cooling system. 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
until it clicks at least once. When you
restart the engine, the message
appears again. To clear the message,
press and hold the select/reset knob
until the message is replaced on the
odometer/trip meter display.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap, the malf unction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. 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 .
214
217
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 .132
.............................
Break-in Period .133
.................
Fuel Recommendation .133
.........
Service Station Procedures .134
.....................................
Ref ueling .134
Opening and Closing the ........................................
Hood .135
....................................
Oil Check .137
..............
Engine Coolant Check .137
...............................
Fuel Economy .138
...
Accessories and Modif ications .139
.............................
Carrying Cargo .141
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
131

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. 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 87 can lead to engine damage. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline. 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. 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
All models
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
133