2002 Acura RSX ABS

Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some saf ety f eatures do not require
anyactiononyourpart.These
include a strong steel f ramework
that forms a safety cage around the
passenger compartment; f ront and
rear crush zones that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; a collapsible steering column;
and seat belt tensioners that
automatically tighten the front seat
belts in the event of a crash.
CONT INUED
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
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How you adjust your seats and seat-
backs can also affect your safety. For
example, sitting too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard
increases the risk of you or your
passenger being injured by striking
theinsideof thecar,orbyan
inf lating airbag.
Reclining a seat-back too f ar reduces
the seat belt’s ef f ectiveness and
increases the chance that the seat’s
occupant will slide under the seat
belt in a crash and be seriously
injured. Your car’s seats are designed to keep
you in a comf ortable, upright
position so you can take f ull
advantage of the protection offered
by seat belts and the energy
absorbing materials in the seats.Move the f ront
seats as far back as possible, and
keep adjustable seat-backs in an
upright position whenever the car is
moving. Keeping your doors locked reduces
thechanceof beingthrownoutof
the car during a crash. It also helps
prevent occupants f rom accidentally
opening a door and f alling out, and
outsiders f rom unexpectedly opening
your doors.
Head restraints can help protect you
f rom whiplash and other injuries.
Seats & Seat-Backs
Door L ocks
Head Restraints
What you should do:
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
11

This light has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page . If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III).
If this light comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the ABS.
If this happens, take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, your car still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
278 183275
274
276
Only on models equipped with ABS (see page ) 181
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
61
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

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

Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving181

The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.Your car has an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) as standard
equipment. ABS helps to prevent the
wheels f rom locking up and skidding
during hard braking, allowing you to
retain steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straightaheadeventhoughyouturn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person can do it. this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of
traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforeyou
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
U.S.:
Canada: All models
Premium and Type-Smodels only
Brake System Design A nti-lock BrakesYou should never pump the
brake pedal,
The Braking System
Driving182
F Fr roo n
nt
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only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a saf e f ollowing distance
f rom other vehicles.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lock
f unction of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping
ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible.61
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS Indicat or
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the car,
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
The Braking System
Driving183
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Maint enance198
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 7 years
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots, Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See Dust and Pollen Filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then
every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years
24
4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
1: : 232
197
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions