Page 1 of 250

2004 RSX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glanc e........................................................................\
.............................................2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
.........................................47
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
........................87
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................119
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................133
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
............................................................ .155
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................191
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................217
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................231
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................236
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Page 5 of 250
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESHEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.
67)
(P. 78) (P.
49)
INDICATORS
GAUGES
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.56)
(P. 81)
(P. 122)
(P.123) (P.
136, 139)
(P.
92)
(P.
88)
PARKING BRAKE
(P. 82)
Page 50 of 250

...........................
Control Locations .48
............................
Instrument Panel .49
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 50
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .54
.........
Security System Indicator . 55
.............................................
Gauges .56
.....................................
Odometer .56
...................................
Trip Meter .56
..................................
Fuel Gauge .57
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .58 ......................
Wipers and Washers .59
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 60
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 61
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 61
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 61
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 62
...............................
Keys and Locks .63
........................
Immobilizer System .64
................................
Ignition Switch .65
......................................
Door Locks .67
.........
Power Door/Hatch Locks . 67
............................................
Hatch .68
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
........................................
Glove Box .71
.................................................
Seats .72
....................................
Seat Heaters .75
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .76
..............................
Power Windows .78
.........................................
Moonroof .80
.............................................
Mirrors .80
.................................
Parking Brake .82
.................................
Interior Lights .83
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 84
.......................
Beverage Holders .85
..........
Accessory Power Sockets . 85
...............
Console Compartment . 86
This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instruments and Controls
47
Page 51 of 250
AT model is shown.
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols48
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASEMIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUDIO SYSTEM
SHIFT LEVER
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
DOOR AND
HATCH LOCK SWITCH
INDICATORS
(P. 67)
(P. 78) (P.
81) (P.
49)
(P. 56)
(P.88)
(P. 92)
(P. 136, 139)
(P. 123)
(P.
122)
PARKING BRAKE(P. 82)
Page 52 of 250
ÎÎ
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols49
HIGH BEAM INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATORSIDE AIRBAG CUT-OFF INDICATOR TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
(P.
206)
(P. 51, 204)
(P. 51, 205) (P.
52)
(P. 51)
(P. 52)
(P. 54)
(P. 53)
(P. 55) (P.
50)
(P. 50)
(P.52)
(P. 52)
(P.52)
(P. 50)
(P.
51)
Page 55 of 250

Only on models equipped with CruiseControl System
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicator does not
blink or blinks rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you push the Hazard Warning
button, both turn signal lights blink.
All turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash. This indicator comes on if either
door is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon. 60
176 115
Instrument Panel Indicators
Cruise Control Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Turn Signal
Indicator and
Hazard Warning
Button
Door-open Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols52
Page 59 of 250
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. The odometer and the
two trip meters use the same display.
Switch between these displays and
the odometer by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’.
Gauges
Odometer
T rip Meter
Inst rument s and Cont rols56
TEMPERATURE GAUGE TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
SELECT/RESET BUTTON
ODOMETER/TRIP METER
Page 60 of 250
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
202
Fuel Gauge
T emperature Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.