2003 RSX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
......................................... ii
Your Car at a Glance ........................................................................\
................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
...................................... 5
Proper use and care of your car's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint\
System.
Instruments and Controls ........................................................................\
......................................... 57
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use da shboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 101
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
.......................................................... 153
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 167
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
............................................................. 193
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the\
dealer.
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
...................................................... 253
Tips on cl eaning and protecting your car. Things to look for if your car ever need\
s body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected ........................................................................\
.............................. 261
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and\
how to handle them.
Technical Information ........................................................................\
............................................. 287
ID numbers, dim ensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................301
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) ........................................................................\
.............................. 306
How to order manuals and other technical li terature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat. Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Put the attachment on the fuel fill
cap into the slit on the f uel f ill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board refueling
vapor recovery system to help keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. If the f uel nozzle keeps
clicking of f even though the tank is
not f ull, there may be a problem with
this system. Consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving156
FUEL FILL CAP
Pull
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Î
ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î
No. Circuits Protected No.
Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 Ignition Coil
Laf Heater
Daytime Running Lights
ACG (IG)
Not Used
Power Window Relay
Moon roof
Radio
Rear Wiper
Gauge panel
ABS
Daytime Running Lights 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
SRS
Power Mirror
Bass Speaker
Heated Seats
Fuel Pump
Accessory Power Socket
Turn Signal
Front Wiper
Not Used
Front Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Not Used
Not Used
Canadian models only
Type-S only
1:
2:
1
1 2
1
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed283
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’ The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
T echnical Inf ormation
Oxygenated Fuels
MET HA NOL MT BE ET HA NOL
294
Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil: Tire Pressure (measured cold):Brake Fluid: Power Steering Fluid:
Manual Transmission Fluid:
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
13.2 US gal (50
)
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ).
Front:33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
Rear: 31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
Capacity (including differential):
1.6 US qt (1.5
)
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
API Premium grade detergent oil.
Oil change capacity (including
filter): 4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
) SAE 5W-20
SAE 5W-30 217
(All except Type S)
(Type S) 221
219
(All except Type-S)
(Type-S)
219
Except Type-S:
Type-S: