2003 Acura RSX cooling

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
COVER

CONT INUED
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator. Removetheclip,thenremovethe
reserve tank drain cap. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.
Install the reserve tank drain cap
and clip.
5.
6.
7.8.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance215
DRAIN PLUG
CLIP
DRAIN
CAP
Fill up to hereFILLER NECK

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
duringnormaluse.Inbadweather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
f or f uel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
9.
11. 10.
12.
13. 14.
15.
16. 17.
With automatic transmission:
Manual Transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
216
1.35 US gal (5.1)
1.32 US gal (5.0
)

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.

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.

Start the engine and set the
temperature control lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator. Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
11.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
12.
285
160
285Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed273
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

µ
No.Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 25 Condenser f an
Small Light
Interior Light
Cooling Fan
Hazard
FI ECU
Horn, Stop
ABS (F/S)
Back Up
ABS Motor
Rear Demister
Heater Mortor
Power Window
Option
Lef t Headlight
Door Lock
Right Headlight
Not Used
Main Fuse Battery
Main Fuse Ignition
Spare Fuse
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Fuses
284
UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX