Page 108 of 320

CONT INUED
When you turn the A/C of f , the
system cannot regulate the inside
temperature if you set the dial below
the outside air temperature.
With A/C on, use the temperature
control dial to adjust the temperature
of the air f low to a comf ortable
setting.Air conditioning also removes mois-
ture from the air as it operates. You
can use it to def og the windows
quickly in cool or damp weather.
Used in combination with the heater,
it also makes the interior warm and
dry.Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when using the A/C in heavy
traf f ic or driving up long hills. If it
moves near the red zone, turn of f the
air conditioning until the gauge
reads normally.
You can manually set the system
controls f or ventilation, air condi-
tioning, heating, air f low direction,
and fan speed in various combination.
Pressing the A/C button turns the
air conditioning ON and OFF. The
indicator in the button lights when
the A/C is ON.
67
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Manual Operation
Heating and Cooling
A ir Condit ioning But t on
105
A AI
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
Page 109 of 320

This button controls the source of air
going into the system. When the
indicator in this button is lit, the
system is recirculating the interior
air (Recirculation mode). When the
indicator is of f , f resh air is brought
in f rom outside the vehicle (Fresh
Air mode). Push the button to
change between recirculated and
f resh air.
Use Recirculation mode to heat or
cool the interior more quickly, or to
keep out smoke and dust. Leaving
the system in the Recirculation mode
with the A/C off can cause the
windows to f og up. Switch to Fresh
Air mode as soon as the interior
reaches a comf ortable temperature
or the outside smoky, dusty condi-
tion clears.You can manually select the f an
speed by turning the f an speed
control dial. Turning this dial
clockwise increases the f an speed,
which increases air flow.
Some air will come out of the side
vents in all modes. Use this dial to select the direction of
air f low coming out of the system.
When the dial is set to AUTO, the
system controls the f an speed
automatically.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
Recirculat ion But t on
Fan SpeedMode Cont rol Dial
106
R REEC
CI IRRC CUUL LAA T
TI
IOON N B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
F
FA
A N
N C
COON NTTR
RO OL L D
DI
IAA L
L M
MO
ODDE
E C
COON NTTR
RO OL L D
DI
IAA L
L
Page 110 of 320

CONT INUED
The main air flow comes out
of the dashboard vents.
The main air f low is directed
to the floor vents. In AUTO mode, the system controls
the air f low direction automatically
between the dashboard vents and
the f loor vents. The main air f low is divided
between the f loor vents and
defroster vents at the base of the
windshield.
The main air f low is directed
to the windshield for faster defrost-
ing or def ogging. To def rost or def og
more quickly, turn the temperature
control dial to maximum. Select and set the f an speed to high.
If there is actual frost on the win-
dows, f irst select the Recirculation
mode. If the windows are f ogged,
select the Fresh Air mode. Warmed
air will then f low f rom the wind-
shield and side def roster vents. When you select or ,
the A/C turns on automatically to
help dehumidif y the air and def og
the windshield. When you select
another mode, the A/C stays on. If
you do not want to use the A/C in
that mode, press the button to turn it
off.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
107
Page 171 of 320

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8.
7. 6. 5.
4. 10.
11.
12.
16
86
95 74 169
59
Preparing to Drive
Driving168
Page 183 of 320

µMake sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire. Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving180
Page 187 of 320

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 107
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving184
Page 219 of 320

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
f or f uel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
9.
11. 10.
12.
13. 14.
15.
16. 17.
With automatic transmission:
Manual Transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
216
1.35 US gal (5.1, 1.12 Imp gal)
1.32 US gal (5.0
, 1.10 Imp gal)
Page 229 of 320
´
µ
´
µ
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Plug Gap:
Plug Gap:
Insert the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil.
Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the f our nuts.
9.
(RSX and Premium models)
10.
11. 12. DENSO: NGK:
NGK:
DENSO:
(Type-S) Battery
Specif ications:
Maint enance
Spark Plugs, Battery
226
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0.04 in (1.1 mm) IZFR6K11
SKJ20DR-M11
IFR7G-11K
SK22PR-M110
0.1mm
0
0.1mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.