2004 Acura RSX Owner's Manual

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
1.
See page f or important saf ety
inf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 15
Rear Window Def ogger, Steering Wheel A djustment
Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols62
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.

Move the steering wheel so it
points to your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keepthegloveboxlockedwhenyou
leave your vehicle and the valet key
at a parking facility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a key replaced. Use only
an Acura-approved key blank.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Steering Wheel A djustment, K eys and L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Keys and Locks
63
MASTER KEY
(BLACK)
VALET KEY
(GREY)
KEY
NUMBER
TAG

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart. The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start your engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols64

µAs required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
CONT INUED
LOCK (0)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Immobilizer System, Ignition Switch
65

µ
µ
µ Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II). ST A RT (III)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols66
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

Each door has a lock tab at the top of
the door. When you push down the
lock tab on the driver’s door, both
doors and the hatch lock. The lock
tabs on both doors lock and unlock
only that door. Pulling up on the
driver’s door lock tab only unlocks
the driver’s door.To lock both doors and the hatch,
press the master door lock switch on
either door, press the lock tab down
on the driver’s door, or use the key
on the outside lock.
Pulling up on either master door lock
switch will unlock both doors and the
hatch.
To unlock the driver’s door f rom the
outside, turn the key and release it.
If you turn and hold it, both doors
and the hatch unlock. Both doors
and the hatch unlock when you use
the key in the passenger’s door.
Door L ocks
Door L ocks
Power Door/Hatch L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols67
LOCK TAB MASTER DOOR AND HATCH
LOCK SWITCH

To open the hatch, pull the handle,
then lif t up the hatch.
To close the hatch, press down on
the back edge.
The hatch will not lock or unlock
when the battery is disconnected.See page f or cargo loading and
weight limit inf ormation. Keep the
hatch closed at all times while
driving to avoid damaging the hatch
and to prevent exhaust gas from
getting into the interior. See
on page .45
129
Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Hatch
Carbon
Monoxide Hazard
68
Pull

µ
µ
µ Press this button once
to unlock the driver’s door. Push it
twice to unlock the passenger’s door
and the hatch. If you do not open
either door or the hatch within 30
seconds, they will automatically
relock.
Pressthisbuttonfor
about one second to attract attention;
thehornwillsoundandtheexterior
lights will f lash f or about 30 seconds.
To cancel panic mode, press any
other button on the remote
transmitter or turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). Avoid dropping or throwing the
transmitter.
Protect the transmitter from
extreme temperature.
Do not immerse the transmitter in
any liquid.
If you lose a transmitter, the
replacement needs to be
reprogrammed by your Acura
dealer.
Pressthisbuttontolock
both doors and the hatch. You
cannot lock the doors or the hatch if
either are not f ully closed or if the
key is in the ignition switch.
CONT INUED
Remote Transmitter
UNL OCK
PA NIC
LOCKRemote Transmitter Care
Inst rument s and Cont rols69
LED
UNLOCK
BUTTON LOCK
BUTTON
PANIC
BUTTON