2005 Acura RSX maintenance

Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
band 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide across
the tread. This shows there is less
than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t
on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators.To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000
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. In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
For Vehicles with aluminum wheels:
Tires
Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Maint enance
185
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
INDICATOR
LOCATION
MARKS
TREAD WEAR
INDICATORS
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.

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Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, your
driver’s power window loses its
calibration and must be
reprogrammed (see page ), and
your audio system will disable itself .
Thenexttimeyouturnontheradio
youwillsee‘‘ ’’inthe
f requency display. Use the Preset
buttons to enter the five-digit code
(see page ). If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
78
112
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
188
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably, do this once a month.
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) Maintenance Schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 157
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
189

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The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas.
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured. Your vehicle has a positive
crankcase ventilation system. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The positive
crankcase ventilation valve routes
them from the crankcase back to the
intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on pages
and .
157 158
Emissions Cont rols
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
The Clean Air Act
T echnical Inf ormation
223

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231
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2002 05 Acura RSX Service Manual
2002 05 Acura RSX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002 05 Acura RSXBody Repair Manual 2005 Acura RSX
Owner’s Manual 2005 Acura RSX
Maintenance Journal 2005 Acura RSX
Quick Start Guide
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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
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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

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