2005 Acura RSX Owner's Manual

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) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
232
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .66
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 83
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 163
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 27
.............................
Airbag Service .27
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
................
Air Conditioning System . 88
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .182
......................................
Antif reeze .165
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .53, 147
...................................
Operation .147
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .66 ..................................
Audio System .92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 115
..............
Automatic Transmission . 139
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .219
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 167
.......................................
Shif ting .139
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 139
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .53, 204
............................
Jump Starting .200
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bef ore Driving .119
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 19
...........................
Beverage Holders .83
..................................
Booster Seats .42
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 121....................
Bulb Replacement .177
...........................................
Fluid .169
.................
System Indicator . 53,206
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 121
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 62
........................
Brights, Headlights .61
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .177
..............................
Brake Lights .177
................
Front Parking Lights . 175
....................
Front Side Marker . 176
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 174
.................................
Headlights .172
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 177
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 178
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .172
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
.................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 50
................
Daytime Running Lights . 61
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .55
.................................
Dead Battery .200
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 230
..........................
Def og and Def rost .91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 62
....................................
Dimensions .218
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 61
...................
Capacities Chart . 218,219
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 45
...........................
Cargo Area Cover .75
........................
Cargo, .129
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .100
.....................................
Operation .98
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .108
...................................
CD Changer .103
............................................
Care .108
...................................
Operation .103
CD Changer Error .............................
Message .110, 111
...........
CD Player Error Message . 109
........................
Certif ication Label .216
...................................
Chains, .187
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .193
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .163
......................................
When to .157
...
Charging System Indicator . 53,204
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 134.....................................
Child Saf ety .28
..............................
Booster Seats .42
...................................
Child Seats .32
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 28
..........................................
Inf ants .32
..........................
Larger Children .41
.........................................
LATCH .36
......................
Risks with Airbags .29
.............................
Small Children .33
.........................................
Tethers .39
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 29
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .36
...........................
Lower Anchors .36
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
..............................................
Clock .113
.........................
Clock, Setting the .113
...................................
Clutch Fluid .169
.....................
Code, Audio System .112
........................
CO in the Exhaust .223
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 135
.......................
Compact Spare .192
...................
Console Compartment . 84
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 228
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 49Coolant
........................................
Adding .165
....................................
Checking .125
.........................
Proper Solution .165
...................
Temperature Gauge . 58
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .223
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 54
............
Cruise Control Operation . 115
.....................................
Cup Holders .83
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 228
how to carry
tires tire
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 167
..................................
Engine Oil .125
..........................
Directional Signals .61
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .165
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 67
......................
Power Door Locks .67
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
Downshif ting, 5-speed and6-speed
.............
Manual Transmissions . 136
.....................................
Drive Belts .170
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .133
....................................
Economy .126
..............................
Economy, Fuel .126
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .200
.......................................
Towing .213
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 62
............
Emergencies on the Road . 191
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 200 ...........
Brake System Indicator . 206
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 193
.....
Charging System Indicator . 204
..................
Checking the Fuses . 208
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 205
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 207
..................
Overheated Engine . 202
......................
Emergency Flashers .62
......................
Emergency Towing .213
.......................
Emissions Controls .223
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 226
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 58
.................................
Drive Belts .170
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 137,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .53, 205
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 53,204
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 162
...............................
Overheating .202
............................
Specif ications .218
.......................................
Starting .135
...................
Engine, .198
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 223
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .45 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .17
.....................................
Fan, Interior .88
...........................................
Features .87
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 122
Filters ...............................................
Oil .163
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 62
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 193
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 167
..........................................
Brake .169
.........................................
Clutch .169
..........................
Power Steering .171
..................
Windshield Washer . 167
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .96
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .73
..........................
Four-way Flashers .62
............................
Front Airbags .11, 22
if it won’t start
Index
F
E
INDEX
III

Front Seat......................................
Adjusting .71
.........................................
Heaters .74
...................................
Airbags .11, 22
.................................................
Fuel .121
......................
Fill Door and Cap .122
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Reserve Indicator .54
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .208
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 126
.........................................
Gasoline .121
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 54
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 121
........................
Tank, Filling the .122
................
Gas Station Procedures . 122
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 58
...............................................
Fuel .58
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 1395-speed and
6-speed Manual
.......................
Transmissions .136
........................................
Glove Box .84
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 172
................................................
Hatch .68
.................................
Opening the .68
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 62
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .172
............
Daytime Running Lights . 61
..................
High Beam Indicator . 54
........................
Reminder Beeper .61
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 172
...................................
Turning on .61
.....................................
Heater, Seat .74
.......................
Heating and Cooling .88
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 135
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 61
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 177
.......................
Hood, Opening the .123
..................................................
Horn .59
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .169 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 216
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .64
...........................................
Switch .66
............
Timing Control System . 224
........................
Immobilizer System .65
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
Indicators .......
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 53,147
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .53, 206
................
Charging System . 53,204
.............................
Cruise Control .54
....................................
Door-open .54
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .55
...................................
High Beam .54
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 54
......................................
Low Fuel .54
................
Low Oil Pressure . 53,204
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .52
...............................................
SRS .52
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .54
Index
G H
I
IV

CONT INUED
..............................
Washer Level .55
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 52
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .32
Inf ant Seats .........................................
LATCH .36
...........................
Lower Anchors .36
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 183
...................................
Inside Mirror .79
.............................
Inspection, Tire .184
............................
Instrument Panel .51
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 62
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
.................................
Interior Lights .86
........................................
Introduction .i
..................................................
Keys .64 .......................
Label, Certif ication .216
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 61
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,19
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 36
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .172
.....................................
Load Limit .130
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 66
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 66
............................
Fuel Fill Door .122
....................................
Glove Box .84
............................................
Hatch .68
..............
Power Door and Hatch . 67
........................
Low Coolant Level .125
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .54
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 53,204
.................................
Lower Anchor .36
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 136
Lubricant Specif ications ..................................
Chart .218, 219
..............
Luggage, .129
.....
Luggage Cover (Cargo Cover) . 75..................................
Maintenance .153
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 156
........................................
Record .159
......................
Required Indicator .55
..........................................
Saf ety .154
.............................
Schedule .155-158
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 53,205
...................
Manual Transmission . 136
................................
Shif ting the .136
...............................
Meters, Gauges .57
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .79
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 127
.........................................
Moonroof .79
......................
Closing Manually .207
.....................................
Operation .79
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 194
.......................................
Jack, Tire .194
................................
Jump Starting .200
Storing (Cargo)
Index
J
K LM
INDEX
V

...................
Radiator Overheating . 202
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 92
...........................
Readiness Codes .226
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 177
............................
Rear Seat Access .72
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .73
............................
Rear View Mirror .79
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 62
....................
Rear Window Washer .60
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .60
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 71
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 137
.......................
Reminder Indicators .52
.......................
Remote Transmitter .69
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 179
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 163
.................................
Floor Mats .179
..........................................
Fuses .208
................................
Light Bulbs .172
....................................
Schedule .155
.....................................
Seat Belts .21
...........................................
Tires .186
.............................
Wiper Blades .180
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 140
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 121
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .137
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 216
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 121
.........................................
Odometer .57
...............................
Odometer, Trip .57
Oil ........................
Change, How to .163
......................
Change, When to .157
......................
Checking Engine .125
..............
Pressure Indicator . 53,204
Selecting Proper Viscosity ..............................
Chart .162, 163
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 66
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .224
..............................
Outside Mirrors .80
....................
Overheating, Engine .202
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 156..............
Panel Brightness Control . 62
........................
Park Gear Position .140
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .81
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 53,206
........................
Parking Lights .61, 175
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
............................
Playing the Radio .92
..................................
Playing a CD .101
..................
Playing a CD Changer . 103
.................................
Playing a Tape .98
.............................
PGM-FI System .224
..........................
Power Door Locks .67
.................
Power Socket Locations . 83
..............................
Power Windows .77
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .28
.....................
General Guidelines .28
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .32
.............
Protecting Small Children . 33
Index
N
O PR
VI

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 125
...............................
Restraint, Child .28
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 140
................................
Rotation, Tire .185
................................
Saf ety Belts .10, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 230
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 46
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................................
Seat Belts .10, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .20
.....................................
Cleaning .179
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .19, 52
...................
System Components . 19...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder .....................................
Belt .15, 19
....................................
Seat Heaters .74
..................
Seats, Adjusting the . 13,71
............................
Security System .114
...............................
Serial Number .216
...........................
Service Intervals .157
...........................
Service Manual .231
.........
Service Station Procedures . 122
..........................
Setting the Clock .113
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 139
........................
Shif t Lock Release .144
Shif ting .
The Automatic Transmission . 139
The 5-speed and 6-speed
.........
Manual Transmissions . 136
..............................
Side Airbags .11, 25
..........................
Of f Indicator .27, 52
...............................
Signaling Turns .61
.....................................
Snow Tires .187
..................................
Sound System .92
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .192
............................
Specif ications .219
....................
Specif ications Charts . 218................................
Speed Control .115
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 27
.............................
Airbag Service .27
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components .22
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,52
..............
State Emissions Testing . 226
....
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 .63
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 66
.......................................
Buttons .116
.....................
Stereo Sound System .92
Index
S
INDEX
VII