2002 Acura RSX engine

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

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
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 car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst......................
General Precautions .154
.............................
Break-in Period .155
.........................................
Gasoline .155
.........
Service Station Procedures . 156
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 156
....................
Opening the Hood .157
...............................
Oil Check .159
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 160
...............................
Fuel Economy .161
.....................
Vehicle Condition .161
...........................
Driving Habits .161
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 162
.............................
Carrying Cargo .164
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving153

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance. Use a premium unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane number of 91 or
higher. Use an unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
(Type-S)
(All models except Type-S)
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving155

Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat. Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board ref ueling
vapor recovery system to help keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. If the f uel nozzle keeps
clicking of f even though the tank is
not f ull, there may be a problem with
this system. Consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving156
F FU
UE EL
L F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
P
P
u
ul
lll
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

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
U UP PP
PE
ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
M
MI
INN
M
M
A
AX
X
L
LO OW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK R
RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
E T
TA
A N
NK K

A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
205
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
161

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed and 6-speed manual
transmissions and automatic
transmission. It also the includes
important inf ormation on parking
your car, the braking system, and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .168
.......................
Starting the Engine .169
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .169
5-speed and 6-speed .........
Manual Transmissions . 170
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 171
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 171
.......................
Reverse Lockout .172
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 173
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 178
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 179
...........................................
Parking .180
.....................
The Braking System .181
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 181
...............
Brake System Design . 182
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .182
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .183
........................
ABS Indicator .183
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 184
...........................
Towing a Trailer .186
Driving
Driving167