2002 Acura RSX Owner's Manual

To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon
as you release it.
Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a lef t turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
The knob on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights. Turn the knob to
adjust the brightness.Inst rument Panel Bright nessTurn Signals
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols70
T T
U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
L L
LEE V
V E
ER
R

This lever controls the windshield
wipers and washers. It has five
positions;MIST: mist
OFF: off
INT: intermittent
LO: low speed
HI: high speed
To select a position, push the lever
up or down. In intermittent, the wipers operate
every f ew seconds. The sweep
interval will change slightly with
speed; getting shorter as you drive
f aster. In low speed and high speed,
the wipers run continuously.
You can vary how of ten the wipers
sweep the windshield by turning the
INT TIME ring next to the rotary
switch.
If you turn the INT TIME ring to the
shortest delay, the wipers will
change from intermittent to low
speed operation when vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h).
CONT INUED
Windshield Wipers
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols71

To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever up f rom the
OFF position. The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
This gives you a quick way to clear
the windshield.To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever.
To turn on the rear window wiper,
turn the rotary switch clockwise to
ON. To also use the rear window
washer, turn the rotary switch
clockwise past ON. The washer will
spray as long as you hold the rotary
switch in this position. If you turn the
rotary switch counterclockwise f rom
the OFF position, the washer will
spray without activating the rear
window wiper.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Windshield Washers
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
72

The rear window def ogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and of f . The light in the
button lights 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
about25minutes.Italsoshutsoff
when you turn of f the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you
restart the car.
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 car
is disabled. Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side to side.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Hazard Warning
Rear Window Def ogger
73

See page f or important saf etyinf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 17
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down. Move the steering wheel to the
desired position, making sure the
wheel points toward your chest,
not toward your f ace. Make sure
you can see the instrument panel
gauges and the indicator lights.
Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
1. 3.
4. 2.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Steering Wheel A djustment
74
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a
crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.

CONT INUED
Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keepthegloveboxlockedwhenyou
leave your car and the valet key at a
parking f acility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number plate with your set of keys.
You will need this number if you
ever have to get a lost key replaced.
Keep the plate stored in a saf e place.
When replacing keys, use only
Acura-approved key blanks.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car:
 Ignition
 Doors
Glovebox Keys
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols75
K KE
EY
Y
N
NU UMM B
BEER
R
P
P L
LAA T
TE
E V
V
A
AL
LEE T
T K
KEEY
Y
(
( G
GR REEY
Y) )
M
M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R K
KEEY
Y
(
( B
BL LAA C
CKK))

The Immobilizer System protects
your car f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code:
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
car’s key and the ignition switch
while trying to start the engine.
Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page for an
explanation of the operation.
82
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Immobilizer System
Keys and Locks
Remote Transmitter
76

CONT INUED
As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
The ignition switch is on the right
side of the steering column. It has
f our positions:
LOCK(0)
 ACCESSORY (I)
 ON (II)
 START (III)
This indicator will also blink several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your car undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Ignition Switch
77