2004 Acura RSX checking oil

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

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .66
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 165
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 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
................
Air Conditioning System . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .184
......................................
Antif reeze .168
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .51, 147
...................................
Operation .147
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .65 ..................................
Audio System .92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 115
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .220
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 169
.......................................
Shif ting .139
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .51, 205
............................
Jump Starting .200
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bef ore Driving .119
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders .85
..................................
Booster Seats .42
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 121....................
Bulb Replacement .174
...........................................
Fluid .171
.................
System Indicator . 51,208
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 121
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 61
........................
Brights, Headlights .60
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .178
..............................
Brake Lights .178
................
Front Parking Lights . 177
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 176
.................................
Headlights .174
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 178
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 178
............................
Specif ications .221
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .174
Index
A
B
I

Î
.................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 48
................
Daytime Running Lights . 60
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .53
.................................
Dead Battery .200
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 234
..........................
Def og and Def rost .91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 61
....................................
Dimensions .220
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 60
...................
Capacities Chart . 220,221
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 45
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .76
........................
Cargo, .129
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .100
.....................................
Operation .98
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .108
...................................
CD Changer .101
............................................
Care .108
...................................
Operation .101
CD Changer Error .............................
Message .110, 111
.......................
CD Error Message .109
........................
Certif ication Label .218
...................................
Chains, .188
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .193
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .165
......................................
When to .159
...
Charging System Indicator . 51,205
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 134.....................................
Child Saf ety .29
..............................
Booster Seats .42
...................................
Child Seats .34
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 29
..........................................
Inf ants .33
..........................
Larger Children .41
.........................................
LATCH .37
......................
Risks with Airbags .30
.............................
Small Children .34
.........................................
Tethers .40
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 30
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .37
...........................
Lower Anchors .37
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
..............................................
Clock .113
.........................
Clock, Setting the .113
...................................
Clutch Fluid .172
.....................
Code, Audio System .112
........................
CO in the Exhaust .225
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 135
.......................
Compact Spare .192
...................
Console Compartment . 86
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 232
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 47Coolant
........................................
Adding .167
....................................
Checking .125
.........................
Proper Solution .167
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .225
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 52
............
Cruise Control Operation . 115
.....................................
Cup Holders .85
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 232
how to carry
tires tire
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..................................
Engine Oil .125
..........................
Directional Signals .60
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .167
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 67
......................
Power Door Locks .67
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 222
Downshif ting, 5-speed and6-speed
.............
Manual Transmissions . 136
.....................................
Drive Belts .172
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .133
....................................
Economy .126 .....................................
Fan, Interior .90
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .87
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 122
Filters ...............................................
Oil .165
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 61
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 193
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 169
..........................................
Brake .171
.........................................
Clutch .172
..............
Manual Transmission . 170
..........................
Power Steering .173
..................
Windshield Washer . 167
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .93
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .74
..........................
Four-way Flashers .61
..............................
Economy, Fuel .126
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .200
.......................................
Towing .215
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
............
Emergencies on the Road . 191
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 200 ...........
Brake System Indicator . 208
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 193
.....
Charging System Indicator . 205
..................
Checking the Fuses . 211
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 206
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 209
..................
Overheated Engine . 202
......................
Emergency Flashers .61
......................
Emergency Towing .215
.......................
Emissions Controls .225
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 228
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 57
.................................
Drive Belts .172
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 137,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .51, 206
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 51,204
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 164
...............................
Overheating .202
............................
Specif ications .220
.......................................
Starting .135
...................
Engine, .135
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 225
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .45 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
F
E
III

............................
Front Airbags .10, 22
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .72
.........................................
Heaters .75
...................................
Airbags .10, 22
.................................................
Fuel .121
......................
Fill Door and Cap .122
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Reserve Indicator .52
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .211
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 126
.........................................
Gasoline .121
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 52
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
................
Gas Station Procedures . 122
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57 Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission . 139
5-speed and 6-speed Manual
.......................
Transmissions .136
........................................
Glove Box .71
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 174
................................................
Hatch .68
.................................
Opening the .68
............................
Open Indicator .52
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 61
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .174
............
Daytime Running Lights . 60
..................
High Beam Indicator . 52
........................
Reminder Beeper .60
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 174
...................................
Turning on .60
.....................................
Heater, Seat .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .88
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 135
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 60
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 178
....................................
Hood Latch .173 .......................
Hood, Opening the .123
..................................................
Horn .58
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .172
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 218
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .63
...........................................
Switch .65
............
Timing Control System . 226
........................
Immobilizer System .64
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators ...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 51
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .51
................
Charging System . 51,205
.............................
Cruise Control .52
....................................
Door-open .52
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .53
...................................
High Beam .52
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 53
......................................
Low Fuel .52
................
Low Oil Pressure . 51,204
Index
G H
I
IV

CONT INUED
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .50
...............................................
SRS .50
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .52
..............................
Washer Level .53
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 49
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .33
Inf ant Seats .........................................
LATCH .37
...........................
Lower Anchors .37
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 183
...................................
Inside Mirror .80
.............................
Inspection, Tire .185
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,49
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 61
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 50
.................................
Interior Lights .83
........................................
Introduction . i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 195
.......................................
Jack, Tire .194
................................
Jump Starting .200 ..................................................
Keys .63
.......................
Label, Certif ication .218
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 60
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14,19
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 37
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .174
.....................................
Load Limit .130
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 65
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 65
............................
Fuel Fill Door .122
....................................
Glove Box .71
............................................
Hatch .68
..............
Power Door and Hatch . 67
........................
Low Coolant Level .125
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .52
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 51,204
.................................
Lower Anchor .37
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 136Lubricant Specif ications
..................................
Chart .220, 221
..............
Luggage, .129
.....
Luggage Cover (Cargo Cover) . 76
..................................
Maintenance .155
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 158
........................................
Record .161
......................
Required Indicator .54
..........................................
Saf ety .156
.............................
Schedule .159-160
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 51,206
...................
Manual Transmission . 136
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 170
................................
Shif ting the .136
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 170
...............................
Meters, Gauges .56
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .81
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 128
.........................................
Moonroof .80
......................
Closing Manually .209
.....................................
Operation .80
Storing (Cargo)
Index
J K
L
M
V

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 140
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 121
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .137
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 218 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 202
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 92
...........................
Readiness Codes .228
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 178
............................
Rear Seat Access .73
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .74
............................
Rear View Mirror .80
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 61
....................
Rear Window Washer .59
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .59
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 72
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 137
.......................
Reminder Indicators .49
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 180
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 165
.................................
Floor Mats .180
..........................................
Fuses .211
................................
Light Bulbs .174
....................................
Schedule .159
...................................
Seat Belts .180
...........................................
Tires .183
.............................
Wiper Blades .181
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 61
........................
Park Gear Position .140
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .82
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 51,208
........................
Parking Lights .60, 177
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
............................
Playing the Radio .92
..................................
Playing a CD .101
..................
Playing a CD Changer . 101
.................................
Playing a Tape .98
.............................
PGM-FI System .226
..........................
Power Door Locks .67
.................
Power Socket Locations . 85
..............................
Power Windows .78
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .29
.....................
General Guidelines .29
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .33
.............
Protecting Small Children . 34
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 121
.........................................
Odometer .56
...............................
Odometer, Trip .56
Oil ........................
Change, How to .165
......................
Change, When to .159
......................
Checking Engine .125
..............
Pressure Indicator . 51,204
Selecting Proper Viscosity ..............................
Chart .164, 165
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 66
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .226
..............................
Outside Mirrors .81
....................
Overheating, Engine .202
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 158
Index
N
O PR
VI

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