2004 Acura RSX steering wheel

Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
Braking System
Braking System DesignBrake Wear Indicators
Driving146
Front

it only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Driving148

If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Driving154

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering Fluid, Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L atch
Power Steering Fluid
173
NOTICE:
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL LATCH ASSEMBLY
PIVOTS
T urning the steering wheel to
f ull lef t or right lock and holding it
there can damage the power steering
pump.
Do not spill the power
steering f luid over the body, auto-
tensioner, drive belt and pulleys.
If spilled accidentally, wipe of f any
f luid completely.

Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your vehicle can
reduce braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. Using tires of a
dif f erent size or construction can
cause the ABS to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 10,000 miles (16,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
showninthecharteachtimethey
are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
(Only on vehicles equipped with
aluminum wheels)
Replacing T ires
Tire Rotation
Tires
Maint enance186
NOTICE:
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Improper wheel weights can
damage your vehicle’s aluminum
wheels. Use only genuine Acura wheel
weights f or balancing.

If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in the Accessory (I)
position so the steering wheel does
not lock. Make sure the radio and
any electrical accessories are turned
of f so they do not run down the
battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed216
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in the
Accessory (I) position, and make sure
the steering wheel turns f reely bef ore
you begin towing.

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 167
...............................
Restraint, Child .29
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 140
................................
Rotation, Tire .186
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 234
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 46
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14,19
........................
Maintenance .21, 180
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .19, 50
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17 ...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14
....................................
Seat Heaters .75
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 11,72
............................
Security System .114
...............................
Serial Number .218
...........................
Service Intervals .159
...........................
Service Manual .236
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
..........................
Setting the Clock .113
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
........................
Shif t Lock Release .144
Shif ting .
The Automatic Transmission . 139
The 5-speed and 6-speed .........
Manual Transmissions . 136
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 25
....................
Cutof f Indicator .27, 50
...............................
Signaling Turns .60
.....................................
Snow Tires .187
..................................
Sound System .92
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .192
............................
Specif ications .221
....................
Specif ications Charts . 220
................................
Speed Control .115 ..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,50
..............
State Emissions Testing . 228
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 66
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .135
................
With a Dead Battery . 200
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 202
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .62
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 65
.......................................
Buttons .116
.....................
Stereo Sound System .92
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .190
Index
S
VII

Supplemental Restraint................................
System .10, 22
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .26 ,50
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil .165
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .191
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 222
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .123
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 167
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 130
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .220
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 218
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 178
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .191
......................................
Tape Player .98
................
Technical Descriptions . 217
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 225
..........
State Emissions Testing . 228
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .227
.................................
Tire Labeling .224
.......................
Temperature Gauge .57
..........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 91
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
............................
Thef t Protection .112
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 227
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 62..........................
Time, Setting the .113
....................................
Tire Chains .188
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 193
...............................................
Tires .183
..............................
Air Pressure .184
.........................
Checking Wear .185
..........................
Compact Spare .192
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
......................................
Inf lation .183
..................................
Inspection .185
..............................
Maintenance .185
...................................
Replacing .186
......................................
Rotating .186
...........................................
Snow .187
............................
Specif ications .221
................................
Tire Chains .188
..........................
Winter Driving .187
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 193
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .149
................................
Emergency .215
....
Equipment and Accessories . 151
.............................
Weight Limit .149
...........................
Traction Devices .188
.............................
Trailer Loading .149
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .149 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .169
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .170
...........................
Fluid Selection .170
..............
Identif ication Number . 218
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 139
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 136
.....................................
Treadwear .222
.......................................
Trip Meter .56
....................................
Turn Signals .60
Index
T
U
V
VIII