2002 Acura RSX Owner's Manual

Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact the Acura
Customer Relations Of f ice.If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Of f ice.
U.S. Owners:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Canadian Owners: In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.Bella International P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816 (787) 250-4327
288
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions302
Acura Client Services Department
1919 Torrance Blvd
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
or telephone: (800) 382-2238
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÈLE

µµ
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belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered f or the usef ul lif e of the
vehicle.
Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom an Acura dealer.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship. genuine Acura Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the car.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2002 Acura Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Acura’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2002 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.Seat Belt L imit ed Warrant y
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit ed Warranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions303

To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Saf ety Hotline toll-f ree
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other inf ormation about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying Acura Automobile
Division, American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc. If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or Acura
Automobile Division, American
Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions304

305

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*
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Acura dealer.
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicing of your vehicle can be obtained f rom Helm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356. Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
306
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61S6M00
61S6M00EL 61S6M30
31S6M600 ACU-R Price
Each
$67.00
$47.00
$42.00
$35.00
FREE
Form Description
2002 Acura RSXService Manual
2002 Acura RSX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002 Acura RSX
Body Repair Manual 2002 Acura RSX
Owner’s Manual
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL HANDLING CHARGE Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.00
Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.

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(


%
)
$
%

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"

#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand. Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
307
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 162
................................
Accessories .162
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 163
............................
Modif ications .163
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 209
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .222
..............
Air Conditioning System . 102
..............................
Maintenance .231
.........................................
Usage .102
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .102
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .235
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .294
......................................
Antif reeze .212
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 183
...................................
Operation .182
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .78
..........................
Appearance Care .253
................................
Audio System .109 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 149
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .290
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 217
.......................................
Shif ting .173
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 173
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 179
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .61, 275
............................
Jump Starting .269
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .291
..............................
Bef ore Driving .153
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
.............................
Beverage Holder .97
...................................
Body Repair .260
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 182
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 155
....................
Bulb Replacement .249
...........................................
Fluid .219 .........................................
Parking .95
.................
System Indicator . 60,278
........................
Wear Indicators .181
.............................
Braking System .181
........................
Break-in, New Car .155
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 70
........................
Brights, Headlights .69
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .249
..............................
Brake Lights .249
......................
Cargo Area Light .250
..............................
Ceiling Light .250
................
Front Parking Lights . 247
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 246
.................................
Headlights .244
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 247
...................
License Plate Light . 248
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 249
............................
Specif ications .291
...................................
Spotlights .251
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .244
Index
A
B
I

Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 304
........................
Def og and Def rost .105
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 72
....................................
Dimensions .290
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 217
..................................
Engine Oil .159
..........................
Directional Signals .70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 181
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .211
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 79
......................
Power Door Locks .80
...................
Capacities Chart . 290,291
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .89
.............................
Carrying Cargo .164
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .137
...................................
Operation .133
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .139
............................................
Care .145
...................................
Operation .141
........................
Certif ication Label .288
............................................
Chains .241
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .209
......................................
When to .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .263
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 214
...
Charging System Indicator . 61,275
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 168
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
.........................................
LATCH .42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 222
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .255
...................................
Carpeting .256
......................................
Exterior .254
.........................................
Fabric .258
......................
Instrument Panel .258
.......................................
Interior .256
.......................................
Leather .257
...................................
Seat Belts .257
...........................................
Vinyl .257
....................................
Windows .258
.........................
Clock, Setting the .114
...................................
Clutch Fluid .219
.....................
Code, Audio System .147
........................
CO in the Exhaust .296
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 169
..............................
Compact Spare .262
...................
Console Compartment . 98
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 302
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .212
....................................
Checking .160
.........................
Proper Solution .212
...................................
Replacing .214 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
....................
Corrosion Protection .259
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .296
............
Cruise Control Operation . 149
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 302
Index
C
D
II