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The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicle. This alarm continues for 2
minutes, then the alarm stops. To
reset an alarming system bef ore the
2 minutes have elapsed, unlock
either door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
The security system sets
automatically, 15 seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and hatch. The
security system indicator starts
blinking immediately to show you
the system is setting itself.Once the security system is set,
opening either door (without using
the key or the remote transmitter),
or the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. The security system will not set if
the hood, hatch, or either door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Hatch Open
Indicator on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and the hatch are f ully closed. Since
it is not part of the monitor display,
manually check the hood.
54
Security System
126
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first......................
General Precautions .132
.............................
Break-in Period .133
.................
Fuel Recommendation .133
.........
Service Station Procedures .134
.....................................
Ref ueling .134
Opening and Closing the ........................................
Hood .135
....................................
Oil Check .137
..............
Engine Coolant Check .137
...............................
Fuel Economy .138
...
Accessories and Modif ications .139
.............................
Carrying Cargo .141
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
131
Page 136 of 255
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood just to lef t of
center. Lif t up the hood latch
handle until it releases the hood.
Lif t up the hood.
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches. Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage ).You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL
CAP’’ message on the odometer
display.
1. 2.
5.
6.
217
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
Bef ore Driving
135
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE LATCH
Page 137 of 255
Pull the support rod out of its clip,
and insert the end into the
designated hole in the hood.To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If the hood latch handle moves stif f ly,
or if you can open the hood without
lif ting the handle, the mechanism
should be cleaned and lubricated.
3.
Service Station Procedures
136
SUPPORT ROD
Page 177 of 255
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
)
Page 193 of 255
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.To replace a blade (front or rear):Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield or rear window. Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
192
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.
Page 213 of 255

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
To jump start your vehicle:
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake.Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
1.
2. 3.
Jump Starting
212
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
Page 215 of 255

The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard indicators.
1. 2.
3.
4.
If theEngineOverheats
214
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.