2006 Acura RSX ECU

CONT INUED
The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all
cargo, and the tongue load is 3,725
lbs (1,690 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
axles are 1,960 lbs (890 kg) on the
f ront axle, and 1,830 lbs (830 kg)
on the rear axle.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes. Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
Driving
161

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
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Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T owing Speeds and GearsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving
163

Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle, to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine. Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Precision Craf ted motor oil in
your vehicle.
RSX and Premium models
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Oil
174
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL Ambient Temperature

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug and add
f luid to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely.
Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. Always use Acura Precision Craf ted
ATF-Z1 (automatic transmission
f luid). If it’s not available, you may
use a DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Acura ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient. To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Acura ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a final time.
6.
5.
3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
180
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the time recommendation in the
maintenance schedule.
Always use Acura Precision Craf ted
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it
is not available, you should use only
DOT 3 or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Acura brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Acura Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Acura Precision Craf ted
Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole.
Reinstall the f iller bolt tighten it
securely.
If Acura MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
On vehicles with 5-speed/6-speed
manual transmission
Brake FluidManual T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid and Brake Fluid
Maint enance
181
Correct level
FILLER BOLT

Install the rubber seal and make
sure it is right side up; it is marked
‘‘TOP.’’
Pull the battery back to its original
position, then install the bolt in the
hold-down, and tighten it securely. Push the electrical connector onto
the tabs of the new bulb. Make
sure it locks in place. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
Install the neck of the windshield
washer reservoir on the bracket.
Then remove the bolt f rom the
battery hold-down, and caref ully
push the battery toward the
windshield to obtain enough
working space.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
2.
Lights
Driver’s Side
Maint enance
185
HOLD DOWN
WIRE
BULB
WEATHER SEAL
CONNECTOR

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
15.
13.
14.
Changing a Flat Tire
208
(Except Type-S)
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket clockwise to
raisethejackandlockitinplace.
Screw the adapter into the hole in
the spare tire well.Remove the wheel cover or center
cap and place the flat tire face
down in the spare tire well.
Set the bass speaker inside the
wheel.
Secure the f lat tire with the wing
bolt.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
18.
16.
17. 20.
21.
Type-S only: Type-S only:
19.All except Type-S:
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Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
209
ADAPTER (Type-S only) WING BOLTSPACER
CONE