2003 Acura RSX heating

This button controls the source of air
going into the system. When the
indicator in this button is lit, the
system is recirculating the interior
air (Recirculation mode). When the
indicator is of f , f resh air is brought
in f rom outside the vehicle (Fresh
Air mode). Push the button to
change between recirculated and
f resh air.
Use Recirculation mode to heat or
cool the interior more quickly, or to
keep out smoke and dust. Leaving
the system in the Recirculation mode
with the A/C off can cause the
windows to f og up. Switch to Fresh
Air mode as soon as the interior
reaches a comf ortable temperature
or the outside smoky, dusty condi-
tion clears.You can manually select the f an
speed by turning the f an speed
control dial. Turning this dial
clockwise increases the f an speed,
which increases air flow.
Some air will come out of the side
vents in all modes. Use this dial to select the direction of
air f low coming out of the system.
When the dial is set to AUTO, the
system controls the f an speed
automatically.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
Recirculat ion But t on
Fan SpeedMode Cont rol Dial
106
FAN CONTROL DIAL MODE CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION BUTTON

CONT INUED
The main air flow comes out
of the dashboard vents.
The main air f low is directed
to the floor vents. In AUTO mode, the system controls
the air f low direction automatically
between the dashboard vents and
the f loor vents. The main air f low is divided
between the f loor vents and
defroster vents at the base of the
windshield.
The main air f low is directed
to the windshield for faster defrost-
ing or def ogging. To def rost or def og
more quickly, turn the temperature
control dial to maximum. Select and set the f an speed to high.
If there is actual frost on the win-
dows, f irst select the Recirculation
mode. If the windows are f ogged,
select the Fresh Air mode. Warmed
air will then flow from the wind-
shield and side def roster vents. When you select or ,
the A/C turns on automatically to
help dehumidif y the air and def og
the windshield. When you select
another mode, the A/C stays on. If
you do not want to use the A/C in
that mode, press the button to turn it
of f .
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
107

Theheatingandcoolingsystemhas
temperature sensors located next to
the steering column and in the top of
the dashboard. Do not cover the
sensors or spill any liquid on them. T emperature Sensors
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures108

The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear. Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
Driving
5-speed and 6-speed Manual T ransmissions
170
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

To replace it:Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way.
The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual. The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing up on the lock
tab, then pivoting up the cover.
1. 2.
U.S. : All models
Canada : Premium and Type-S Optional on RSX Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance232
HOOKS
TABCOVER

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed272
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

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 ...
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
...............
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
Index
G H
I
IV