2002 Acura RSX service

Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
2.
3.
1.
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving159

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Acura.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
4.
207 205
212
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner Maintenance
Checks
A dding Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving160
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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.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, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see page ). 235
187
Pre-T ow Checklist
Additional Trailer Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving190

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .194
.
Important Safety Precautions . 195
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 196
...
Required Maintenance Record . 203
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Fluid Locations .206
......................................
Engine Oil .207
..................................
Adding Oil .207
....................
Recommended Oil .207
..............................
Synthetic Oil .209
....................................
Additives .209
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 209
.............................
Cooling System .212
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 212
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
.......................
Transmission Fluid .217
Automatic .........................
Transmission .217
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 219
............................
Brake System .220
...........................
Clutch System .220
..............................
Power Steering .221
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
....................................
Hood Latch .224 ....................................
Spark Plugs .224
..............................
Replacement .224
............................
Specif ications .226
...........................................
Battery .226
.................................
Wiper Blades .229
..............
Air Conditioning System . 231
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 232
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...............................................
Tires .235
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
.............................
Tire Rotation .238
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 239
......................
Wheels and Tires .240
..........................
Winter Driving .240
.............................
Snow Tires .241
............................
Tire Chains .241
.............................................
Lights .242
.....................
Headlight Aiming .244
........................
Replacing Bulbs .244
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
306
Maintenance
Maint enance193

This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maint enance
Maintenance Saf ety
194
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car 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 car
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.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
155
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
U.S. Owners Which Schedule to Follow:
196

Ì
µ According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Trailer towing, driving with a car
top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
NOTE: If you only OCCASIONALLY
or NEVER, drive under a ‘‘severe’’
condition, you should f ollow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Normal
Conditions.
U.S. Vehicles: We recommend the use of genuine
Acura parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability.
Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your car best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all the receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Maint enance
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance, replacement or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Canadian Owners
197

µ
ÎÌ
ÌÌ
Î
Ì
Maint enance198
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 7 years
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots, Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See Dust and Pollen Filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then
every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years
24
4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
1: : 232
197
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions