Page 138 of 255
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick (orange tab).
If it is near or below the lower mark,
seeon page .
4.
1.
2.
3. 174177
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
137
UPPER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
LOWER MARK
Page 174 of 255
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
173
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
(Black cap)POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange tab) CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual Transmission only)
(Gray cap)
Page 175 of 255

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
Page 178 of 255

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.
Page 217 of 255

This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low. Serious engine damage is
possible and you should take
immediate action. Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see
on page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
1.
2.
3.
4. 137
174
225
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
216
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
Page 248 of 255

Î
CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission .179
..................................
Engine Oil .137
..........................
Directional Signals .61
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .158
.......................................
Disc Care .121
..........................
Disc Changer .99,115
............................................
Care .121
.............................
Operation .99,115
Disc Changer Error .............................
Message .101,119
.........
Disc Player Error Message .100
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .177
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking .67
.........
Power Door/Hatch Locks .67
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .232
Downshif ting, 5-speed and 6-speed
.............
Manual Transmissions .148
.....................................
Drive Belts .182
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .145
....................................
Economy .138..............................
Economy, Fuel .138
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .212
.......................................
Towing .225
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .62
............
Emergencies on the Road .203
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .212
...........
Brake System Indicator .218
................
Changing a Flat Tire .205
.....
Charging System Indicator .216
..................
Checking the Fuses .220
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .216
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .217
...
Manually Closing Moonroof .219
..................
Overheated Engine .214
......................
Emergency Flashers .62
......................
Emergency Towing .225
.......................
Emissions Controls .235
.............
Emissions Testing, State .238
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .58
.................................
Drive Belts .182
......
Engine Speed Limiter .149,155 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .53,217
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .53,216
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .174
...............................
Overheating .214
............................
Specif ications .230
.......................................
Starting .147
...................
Engine, .210
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .235
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .45
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
.....................................
Fan, Interior .88
...........................................
Features .87
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .134
Filters
...............................................
Oil .175
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .62
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .205
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .179
if it won’t start
Index
F
E
INDEX
III