2006 Acura RSX engine

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

µAlways change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or improved f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C). Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
1.
CONT INUED
Type-SSynthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
175
Ambient Temperature

Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Check the oil f ilter to make sure
its gasket did not stick to the
engine block. A stuck gasket could
cause an oil leak.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
4. 3.
2. (Type-S) (RSX and Premium models)
Type-S RSX and Premium models
5. 6.
7.
Changing the Oil and Filter
176
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
5.0 US qt (4.7
)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)

CONT INUED
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks. Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go of f within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil. Always use Acura Precision Craf ted
Long Lif e Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2.
This coolant is pre-mixed with 50
percent antif reeze and 50 percent
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Acura antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Acura
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Acura antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
8.
9.
10. A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
Maint enance
177
MAX
MIN
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap on
the reserve tank. Put the radiator cap on, and
tighten it fully. Pour the coolant slowly and
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
2. 1. 3.
4.
5.
Engine Coolant
178
RADIATOR CAP
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at
least monthly during normal use.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
The low
washer level indicator will come
on when the level is low.
Fill the reservoir with a good-
quality windshield washer f luid.
This increases the cleaning
capability and prevents f reezing in
cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir,
clean the edges of the windshield
wiper blades with windshield
washerfluidonacleancloth.This
will help to condition them. 1.
2.
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Windshield Washers
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
179
DIPSTICKDo not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

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