2002 Acura RSX manual transmission

µ
µ µ
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged. Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission:
CONT INUED
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura. This is the best way to transport
your A cura. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed285
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.

µ
Î
Î
Î
Î
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Î
ÎÎÎ
ÎÎÎ
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation291
Fuses
Capacities
Lights
Battery Alignment
Tires
0.0in(0mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0°00’
Interior
Under-hood
1.8 US qt (1.7
, 1.5 Imp qt)
1.6 US qt (1.5, 1.3 Imp qt)
2.9 US qt (2.7
, 2.4 Imp qt)
6.9 US qt (6.5, 5.7 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5, 4.0 Imp qt)
Manual
transmission
fluid
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V55 W
55 W
21 W
21 W
21 W/5 W
21 W
5W
21 W
5W
8W
5W
8W See page
283or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 284or the fuse box
cover.
12 V 5 W (Amber)
Headlights
Front turn signal
Front position lights
Rear turn signal lights
Stop/Taillights
High-mount brake light
Rear side marker lights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Cargo area light
Spotlights
Glove Box light
Capacity
12 V 36 AH/5 HR3.4 W
12 V 0°45’
1°30’
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
P205/55R16 89V
T135/70D15 99M
T125/70D16 96M P195/65R15 89H
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. cars
Canadian cars
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare
High
Low
1:
2:
3:
4:Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Canadian RSX
U.S. RSX
Canadian Premium
Type-S
Automatic trans-
mission fluid
Windshield
washer reservoir
1
2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3
4

CONT INUED
If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
Neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
St at e Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation
T esting of Readiness Codes
299

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .161
............
Emergencies on the Road . 261
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 270
...........
Brake System Indicator . 278
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
.....
Charging System Indicator . 275
..................
Checking the Fuses . 281
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 274
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 276
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 279
..................
Overheated Engine . 272
...........................
Emergency Brake .95
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .285 .......................
Emissions Controls .296
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 299
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
.................................
Drive Belts .234
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .61, 276
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 61,274
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 207
...............................
Overheating .272
............................
Specif ications .290
.......................................
Starting .169
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .294
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 296
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .25
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 254
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .257
...................................
Fan, Interior .102
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .101
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 156Filters
................................
Air Cleaner .222
...............................................
Oil .209
Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 219
................................
Shif ting the .170
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 263
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..........................................
Brake .219
.........................................
Clutch .220
..............
Manual Transmission . 219
..........................
Power Steering .221
..................
Windshield Washer . 216
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .126
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 295
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 292
Downshif ting, 5-speed and 6-speed ..............
Manual Transmission . 170
.....................................
Drive Belts .234
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .167
....................................
Economy .161
.........................
In Bad Weather .184
................
In Foreign Countries . 295
Index
E
F
III

.................................................
Fuel .155
......................
Fill Door and Cap .156
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 155
...............................
Oxygenated .294
........................
Reserve Indicator .62
........................
Tank, Filling the .156
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .280
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 161
..........................................
Gasohol .294
.........................................
Gasoline .155
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 62
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 155
........................
Tank, Filling the .156
................
Gas Station Procedures . 156
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .67
...............................
Speedometer .66
.................................
Tachometer .66
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 1735-speed and 6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .170
..............................
Glass Cleaning .258
........................................
Glove Box .84
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 288
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .75
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System . 297
........................
Immobilizer System .76
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument .............................................
Panel .59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .21
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
.........................................
LATCH .42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 235
...................................
Inside Mirror .94
.............................
Inspection, Tire .236
........................
Instrument Panel .2, 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 70
...........................
Interior Cleaning .256
.................................
Interior Lights .99
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 244
................................................
Hatch .80
.................................
Opening the .80
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 73
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .244
............
Daytime Running Lights . 69
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
.........................
Reminder Chime .69
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 244
...................................
Turning on .69
..............................
Head Restraints .11
.....................
Heating and Cooling .102
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 169
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 69
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 247
....................................
Hood Latch .224
.......................
Hood, Opening the .157 ..................................................
Horn .68
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .220
.................................
Hydroplaning .185
Index
G H
I
IV

CONT INUED
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .265
.......................................
Jack, Tire .264
................................
Jump Starting .270
..................................................
Keys .75
.......................
Label, Certif ication .288
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 70
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 16,44
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .257
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .244
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .69
..................................
Turn Signal .70
.....................................
Load Limit .165
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .156
....................................
Glove Box .84
............................................
Hatch .80
..............
Power Door and Hatch . 80
........................
Low Coolant Level .160
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 170
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .60
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Lubricant Specif ications ..................................
Chart .290, 291
.........................................
Luggage .164
..................................
Maintenance .193
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
........................................
Record .203
......................
Required Indicator .64
.............................
Schedule .198-202
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 61,276
...................
Manual Transmission . 170
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 219
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 294..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.........................................
Moonroof .93
......................
Closing Manually .279
.....................................
Operation .93
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 174
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 155
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .171
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 288
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 155
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Index
J
K
L
MN
O
V

Î
CONT INUED
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 55
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....................................
Cleaning .257
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16,44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 60
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16
....................................
Seat Heaters .88
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 13,85
............................
Security System .148
...............................
Serial Number .288
...........................
Service Intervals .198
...........................
Service Manual .306
.........
Service Station Procedures . 156
..........................
Setting the Clock .130
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
........................
Shif t Lock Release .179 Shif ting
.
The Automatic Transmission . 173
The 5-speed and 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .170
...............................
Signaling Turns .70
.....................................
Snow Tires .241
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 254
................................
Sound System .109
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .262
............................
Specif ications .289
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 224
....................
Specif ications Charts . 290
..................................
Speed Control .74
...................................
Speedometer .66
.......................................
Spotlights .100
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 48
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 53
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 48
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 50
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .52
........................
SRS Components .48
..................................
SRS Service .51
.............................
SRS Indicator .51 ,60
..............
State Emissions Testing . 299 ....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 78
.......................
Starting the Engine .169
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .169
................
With a Dead Battery . 270
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 272
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .74
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 78
...................
Stereo Sound System . 125
...........................
Storing Your Car .252
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .10, 48
......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .51, 60
..................................
Synthetic Oil .209
.....................................
Tachometer .66
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 249
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .261
....................................
Tape Player .133
Index
T
VII

Î
................
Technical Descriptions . 287
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 296
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .298
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 298
..........................
Time, Setting the .130
....................................
Tire Chains .241
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 263
...............................................
Tires .235
..............................
Air Pressure .235
.........................
Checking Wear .236
..........................
Compact Spare .262
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 292
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .237
...................................
Replacing .239
......................................
Rotating .238
...........................................
Snow .241
............................
Specif ications .290
................................
Tire Chains .241
..........................
Winter Driving .240
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 263Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .186
................................
Emergency .285
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .217
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .219
..................
Fluid Selection . 218,219
..............
Identif ication Number . 288
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 173
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 170
.....................................
Treadwear .292
.......................................
Trip Meter .67
....................................
Turn Signals .70
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .259
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .261
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 292
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .155
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .256
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 211..................................
Vanity Mirror .96
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 165
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .290
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 288
.............................
Vehicle Storage .252
.....................................
Ventilation .103
.................................................
VIN .287
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .257
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .208
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .303
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 216
.....................................
Operation .72
.........................................
Washing .254
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 255
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 74
............
Alignment and Balance . 237
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 255
Index
U V
W
VIII