2004 Acura RSX maintenance

This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), it will
come on f or two seconds when you
f irst turn the ignition switch to ON
(II), and then f lash f or 10 seconds.
If you exceed 10,000 miles (16,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages and . 159 160
Instrument Panel Indicators
Maintenance Required Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols54
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR

Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the select/reset
button in the instrument panel,
then turn the ignition switch to
ON (II).
Hold the button for about 10
seconds until the indicator goes
off.This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
security system.
1.
2.
3. 114
Instrument Panel Indicators
Security System Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols55
SELECT/RESET BUTTON
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Do not tow a trailer. Your Acura is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher.
Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
You should also f ollow these re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced. Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy, metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical f ailure.
We recommend gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. In
addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. Use ofgasoline with these additives may
adversely affect performance, and
cause the Malf unction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized Acura dealer f or
service. For f urther important f uel-
related information, please refer to
your Quick Start Guide.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.(All models except Type-S)
(Type-S)
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
121

Refer toon page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
Acura. Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel. Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See on page
.
158
158
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
126

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .156
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 157
....................
Maintenance Record .161
..............................
Fluid Locations .163
........................
Adding Engine Oil .164
..........
Changing the Oil and Filter .165
....................
Windshield Washers .167
..............................
Engine Coolant .167
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 169
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 170
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 171
.....................................
Drive Belts .172
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 173
....................................
Hood Latch .173
.............................................
Lights .174
.......................................
Seat Belts .180
.....................................
Floor Mats .180
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 180
.................................
Wiper Blades .181
...............................................
Tires .183
...................
Checking the Battery . 188
.............................
Vehicle Storage .190
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
236
Maintenance
Maint enance155

All service items not detailed in this
sectionshouldbeperformedbyan
Acura technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
156
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection,
maintenance recommendations,
and schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.

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The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling. Trailer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
NOTE: If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule. Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
).
121
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance157

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Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your warranty
in ef f ect. Keep all the receipts as
proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
Maintenance Record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of genuine
Acura parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . 125
125
167
169 171
185
174
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance158