2002 Acura RSX ignition

The shift lever has five positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D, D , N, R or the manual mode,
press firmly on the brake pedal and
keep your f oot of f the accelerator
pedal.
Your Acura’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
at any time (in any shift position), it
indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid
acceleration and have the
transmission checked by an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
3
CONT INUED
Shif t L ever Position Indicator Shif t L ever Positions
Automatic Transmission
Driving173
S SHH I
IFFT T L
LEE V
V E
ER
R

µ
To shift from:PtoR
RtoN
NtoD
DtoD
DtoD DtoNNtoR RtoP Do this:
Press the brake pedal, then
move the shift lever.
Move the lever.
3
3
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shif t Lock Release on page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Move the shif t
lever to the side to shif t out of the
Park position.
YoucannotshiftoutofParkwiththe
brake pedal depressed when the
ignition switch is in LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I). 178
Park (P)
Automatic Transmission
Driving174

If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.Remove the screwdriver f rom the
shif t lock release slot, then install
anewcover.
Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine.
Insert a small screwdriver in the
Shif t Lock Release slot.
Push down on the key while you
move the shift lever out of Park to
Neutral.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal does not work.
Set the Parking brake.
Make sure the ignition switch is in
LOCK (0) position.
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Caref ully pry of f the
edge of the cover. 5. 4.
3.
2. 1.
6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
Driving179
S SH
H I
IFFT T L
LOOC CKK
R
RE EL
LEE A
A S
SEE S
SLLOOT T

Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Remove the cover under the
radiator.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn the ignition
off.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
Replacing Engine Coolant
214
C CO
OV VE
ER
R

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils. Remove the four nuts, then
remove the coil cover.
1.
2.
ReplacementSpark Plugs
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
224
L LA A T
TC
CH H
A
A S
SSSEEM
M B
BLLYY N
NU
UTTS
S
C
CO OI ILL
C
CO OV VE
ER
R
P
P I
IVV O
OT TS
S

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it. Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. Remove the ignition coil.
6. 5.
4. 3.
7.8.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance225
C CO
ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R
I
IG GN NIITT I
IOON N
C
CO OI ILL
L
LOOC CKK T
TA
A B
B
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

´
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.

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traf f ic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.Open the hatch. Pull up the f loor
mat and remove the spare tire
cover. Turn on the hazard warning lights
andturntheignitionswitchto
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. Unscrew the wing bolt.
1. 2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed263
J JA
A C
CKK T
T
O
OO OLL K
KIITTThe car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.