2006 Acura RSX Owner's Manual

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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
125
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
200
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 1
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. 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.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). 169
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
201

202

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .204
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .205
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .210
................................
Jump Starting .212
..............
If the Engine Overheats .214
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .216
..........
Charging System Indicator .216
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .217
...............
Brake System Indicator .218
..................
Closing the Moonroof .219
..............................................
Fuses .220
..........................
Fuse Locations .223
......................
Emergency Towing .225
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
203

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel. Do not mount tire chains on the
compact spare tire.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement tire should be the same
size and design as the original tire
and mounted on the same wheel.
The spare tire is not designed to be
mounted on a regular wheel, and the
spare wheel is not designed f or
mounting a regular tire.
Compact Spare Tire
204
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake. If you are towing a
trailer, unhitch the trailer.Open the hatch. Pull up the f loor
mat and remove the spare tire
cover.
Unscrew the wing bolt. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
1. 2.
3.
4.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
205
TOOL KIT
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Lift the bass speaker out of the
spare tire and set it aside. Do not
pull on the wiring harness going to
the speaker.
Take the spare tire out of its well.Turn the jack’s end
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.
5.
6. 7.8.
Type-S only:
Changing a Flat Tire
206
BASS SPEAKER
(Type-S only) JACK

CONT INUED
Place the jack under the jacking
point. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
resting in the jack notch.Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the flat tire. Place the flat
tire on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt of f the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.
Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
9.
10.
11. 12.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
207
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL NUT
WRENCH