2003 Acura RSX check oil

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
290
CONT INUED
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance231
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .262
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .263
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 268
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .268
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .269
................................
Jump Starting .270
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 272
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 274
..........
Charging System Indicator . 275
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 276
...............
Brake System Indicator . 278
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 279
..............................................
Fuses .280
..........
Checking and Replacing . 281
......................
Emergency Towing .285
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed261

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
285
159
207 Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed274
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

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

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

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

Oil........................
Change, How to .209
......................
Change, When to .198
......................
Checking Engine .159
..............
Pressure Indicator . 61,274
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .208
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .297
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 287
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .272
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .294
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 205
..............................
Paint Touch-up .255
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 70
........................
Park Gear Position .174
...........................................
Parking .180
.................................
Parking Brake .95
........................
Parking Lights .69, 247
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 180
.............................
PGM-FI System .297 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 255
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41
.............................
Using LATCH .42
...................
Radiator Overheating . 272
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 125
...........................
Readiness Codes .299
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 249
............................
Rear Seat Access .86
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .94
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
....................
Rear Window Washer .72
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .72 ...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 85
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 171
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 222
.......................................
Coolant .214
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 209
..........................................
Fuses .280
................................
Light Bulbs .244
....................................
Schedule .198
................................
Spark Plugs .224
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .229
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 212
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 174
................................
Rotation, Tire .238
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 48
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
Index
P R
S
VI