2004 Acura RSX automatic transmission

Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
6.
A ut omat ic T ransmission Fluid, Manual T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
Manual Transmission Fluid
170
Correct level
FILLER BOLT

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Acura
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months/30,000 miles
(48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page ).
The replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 159
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance190

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake. If you are towing a
trailer, unhitch the trailer.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
andturntheignitionswitchto
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the hatch. Pull up the f loor
mat and remove the spare tire
cover.
Unscrew the wing bolt.
1. 2.
3.
4.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed193
TOOL KIT
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Store the tool kit.
Store the wheel cover or center
cap in the cargo area. Make sure it
will not get scratched or damaged.Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Reinstall the f loor mat and spare
tire cover, then close the hatch.
22.
23.
24.
200
Changing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If the Engine Won’t StartNothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
198
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on the
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, audio system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
1.
2.
3.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed200
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

µµ µ
CONT INUED
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral. ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine. Start the engine. Release the parking brake.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
Manual Transmission: Automatic Transmission:
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura. T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
215
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.

The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block.
The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation219
ENGINE NUMBERMANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation221
Capacities
Fuses
Alignment
Tires
Lights
Battery 0.0in(0mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0°00’
1.8 US qt (1.7
)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
2.9 US qt (2.7
)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 0°45’
1°30’
P205/55R16 89V
T135/70D15 99M
T125/70D16 96M P195/65R15 89H
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)
Manual
transmission
fluid
Interior
Under-hood
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
Headlights
Front turn signal
Front position lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake/Taillights
High-mount brake light
Rear side marker lights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Cargo area light
Spotlights
Glove box light
12 V 3.4 W12 V
12 V 12 V
12 V 12 V
8W 5W
8W
5W
21 W
5W
21 W
21 W/5 W
21 W
5W(Amber) 55 W
21 W
12 V 36 AH/5 HR
Capacity 55 W
12 V
12 V See page
213or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 214or the fuse box
cover.
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare
High
Low
1:
2:
3:
4:Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Canadian RSX
U.S. RSX
Canadian Premium
Type-S
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles
Automatic trans-
mission fluid
Windshield
washer reservoir
1
2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3
4