Acura 2002 RSX - Owner's Manual User Manual

2002 RSX Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. For a printed own

Your car is equipped with manyfeatures that work together toprotect you and your passengersduring a crash.Some safety features do not requireanyaction

Be careful when you are using thebeverage holder. A spilled liquid thatis very hot can scald you or yourpassengers. Spilled liquids can alsodamage the

To open the console compartment,push the right knob and slide thecover forward.Another beverage holder is locatedin the center console behind theparki

They will not power an automotivetype cigarette lighter element.These sockets are intended to supplypower for 12 volt DC accessoriesthat are rated 120

The cargo area light comes on whenyou open the hatch.Turn on the spotlight by pushing thebutton next to each light. Push thebutton again to turn it of

...Heating and Cooling . 102...Temperature Sensors . 108Audio System (All models...except Type-S) . 1

The engine must be running for theheater and air conditioning togenerate hot and cold air. The heateruses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine

Your car has a flow-through venti-lation system. Air enters the carthrough vents in front of the wind-screen. It circulates through theinterior then e

To use the heating and coolingsystem in automatic mode, set thesystem as follows.Set the fan control dial to AUTO.Set the mode control dial to AUTO.Tu

CONTINUEDWhen you turn the A/C off, thesystem cannot regulate the insidetemperature if you set the dial belowthe outside air temperature.With A/C on,

This button controls the source of airgoing into the system. When theindicator in this button is lit, thesystem is recirculating the interiorair (Reci

Foryoursafety,andthesafetyofyour passengers, your car isequipped with seat belts in all seatingpositions.These safety features are designedto reduce t

CONTINUEDThe main air flow comes outof the dashboard vents.The main air flow is directedto the floor vents.In AUTO mode, the system controlsthe air fl

Theheatingandcoolingsystemhastemperature sensors located next tothe steering column and in the top ofthe dashboard. Do not cover thesensors or spill a

CONTINUEDThe band and frequency that theradio was last tuned to is displayed.To change bands, press the AM orFM button. On the FM band, ST willbe disp

−−−Use the TUNE knob totune the radio to a desired frequency.Turn the knob clockwise to tune to ahigher frequency, orcounterclockwise to tune to a low

−Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a totalof six stations on AM and twelveon FM.Pick the Preset button you wantfor that station. Press the buttonand hold i

− If you aretraveling far from home and can nolonger receive the stations youpreset, you can use the Auto Selectfeature to find stations in the locala

−−Bass, Treble, Balance, and Fader areeach adjustable. You select which ofthese you want to adjust by pressingthe TUNE knob. The mode changesfromBASto

To set the hours, press and hold theCLOCK button. Press and hold theH button until the numbers advanceto the desired time.To set the minutes, press an

You operate the CD player with thesame controls used for the radio.You can use the instrument panelbrightness control dial to adjust the il-lumination

If you turn the system off while a CDis playing, either with the PWR/VOLknob or by turning off the ignition,the disc will stay in the drive. Whenyoutu

When properly worn, seat belts:Keep you connected to the vehicleso you can take advantage of thecar’s built-in safety features.Help protect you in alm

−−＋−＋−To activate the Repeatfeature, press and release the RPTbutton. You will see RPT in thedisplay. The system continuouslyreplays the current track

When you switch back to CD mode,the system selects the same unit (in-dash or changer) that was playingwhen you switched out of CD mode.To use the SKIP

Indication CauseIf you see an error indication in thedisplay while operating the CDplayer,findthecauseinthecharttothe right. If you cannot clear theer

Indication CauseIf you see an error indication in thedisplay while operating the CDchanger, find the cause in the chartto the right. If you cannot cle

＊＊The cassette system features Dolbynoise reduction, automatic sensing ofchromium-dioxide (CrO ) tape, andauto-reverse for continuous play.Make sure t

▲The tape direction indicator will lightto show you which side of thecassette is playing. The indicatesthesideyouinsertedfacingupwardis now playing. I

−−Fast Forward and Re-wind move the tape rapidly. To re-wind the tape, push the REW button.You will see REW in the display. Tofast forward the tape, p

− The Repeat functioncontinuously replays the currentsong or passage. Press the RPTbutton to activate it; you will see RPTdisplayed as a reminder. Whe

＊＊The anti-theft feature will disable thesystem if it is disconnected from thecar’s battery. To get the systemworking again, you must enter acode numb

−−○○−−＋Use the TUNE knob totune the radio to a desired frequency.Turn the TUNE knob to the right totune to a higher frequency, or to theleft to tune t

Your car has a SupplementalRestraint System (SRS) with frontairbags to help protect the heads andchests of the driver and a front seatpassenger during

−The preset frequencies will be lost ifyour car’s battery goes dead, isdisconnected, or the radio fuse isremoved.Once a station’s frequency is stored,

− If you aretraveling far from home and can nolonger receive the stations youpreset, you can use the Auto Selectfeature to find stations in the locala

−−Bass, Treble, Balance, and Fader areeach adjustable. You select which ofthese you want to adjust by pressingthe TUNE knob. The mode changesfromBASto

The audio system display usuallyshows the time when the ignitionswitch is in ACCESSORY (I) or ON(II). It shows the operation mode ofthe radio, cassett

You can use the instrument panelbrightness control dial to adjust the il-lumination of the audio system (seepage ). The audio systemilluminates when t

Radio signals, especially on the FMband, are deflected by large objectssuch as buildings and hills. Yourradio then receives both the directsignal from

▲The ignition switch must be inACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).Make sure the tape opening on thecassette is facing to the right, theninsert the cassette most

−CONTINUEDWith a cassette playing, you can usethe FF, REW, SKIP, or REPEATfunction to find a desired program.Fast Forward andRewind move the tape rapi

−○○○○−＋−＋The SKIP function allowsyou to find the beginning of a songor passage. To skip to the beginningof a song or passage currentlyplaying, push th

− The Repeat functioncontinuously replays the currentsong or passage. Press the RPTbutton to activate it; you will see RPTdisplayed as a reminder. Whe

How you adjust your seats and seat-backs can also affect your safety. Forexample, sitting too close to thesteering wheel or dashboardincreases the ris

The cassette player picks up dirt andoxides from the tape. This contami-nation builds up over time andcauses the sound quality to degrade.To prevent t

To load the CDs or operate the CDchanger, the ignition switch must bein ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).Load and play only standard rounddiscs. Odd-shaped CD

To load multiple CDs in oneoperation:Repeat this until all six positionsare loaded. The system will thenbegin playing the last CD loaded.If you are no

If you press the Load button while aCD is playing, the system will stopplaying that CD and start the loadingsequence. It will then play the CDjust loa

−−−○○○○＋−＋−Select the CD changer by pressingthe CD button. You will see ‘‘Cd’’ inthe display. The system will beginplaying the last selected disc in t

To take the system out of CD mode,press the AM or FM button, or inserta cassette in the player. If a tape isalready in the cassette player, pressthe T

To remove the disc that is currentlyplaying, press the Eject button. Youwill see ‘‘EJEC’’ in the display. Whenyou remove the disc from the slot,the sy

If you press the Eject button whilelistening to the radio or tape, or withthe audio system turned off, the discthat was last selected is ejected.After

Never try to insert foreign objects inthe CD player or the magazine.AnewCDmayberoughontheinner and outer edges. The smallplastic pieces causing this r

IndicationIf you see an error indication in thedisplay while operating the CDchanger, find the cause in the chartto the right. If you cannot clear the

All adults, and children who haveoutgrown child safety seats, arewearing their seat belts andwearingthemproperly(seepage).Any infant or small child is

If you make a mistake entering thecode, do not start over or try tocorrect your mistake. Complete thefive-digit sequence, then enter thecorrect code.

Once the security system is set,opening either door (without usingthe key or the remote transmitter),or the hood, will cause it to alarm. Italso alarm

CONTINUEDAccelerate to the desired cruisingspeedabove25mph(40km/h).Push in the Cruise Control MasterSwitch to the left of the steeringcolumn. The indi

Press and release the SET/decelbuttononthesteeringwheel.TheCRUISE CONTROL light on theinstrument panel comes on toshow the system is now activated.The

CONTINUEDYou can increase the set cruisingspeed in either of two ways:Press and hold the RESUME/accel button. The car will acceler-ate. When you reach

Youcancancelthecruisecontrolinany of these ways:Tap the brake or clutch pedal.Pressing the Cruise Control MasterSwitch turns the system completelyoff

Before you begin driving your Acura,youshouldknowwhatgasolinetouse, and how to check the levels ofimportant fluids. You also need toknow how to proper

Curbs and steep inclines coulddamage the front and rearbumpers. Low curbs that do notaffect the average car may be highenough to hit the bumper on you

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapidacceleration.Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakesneed to be broken-in by moderateuse for the first 200 mi

Open the fuel fill door by pullingonthehandletotheleftofthedriver’s seat.Because the fuel fill cap is on thedriver’s side of the car, park withthat si

The following pages provideinstructions on how to properlyprotect the driver and other adultoccupants.These instructions also apply tochildren who hav

CONTINUEDShift to Park or Neutral and setthe parking brake. Pull the hoodrelease handle located under thelower left corner of the dashboard.The hood w

To close the hood, lift it up slightly toremove the support rod from thehole. Put the support rod back intoits holding clip. Lower the hood toabout a

Wipe the dipstick with a cleancloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube.Remove the dipstick (orangehandle).Check the engine oil leve

Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should bebetween the upper and lowermarks.Look at the coolant level in theradiator reserve tank. Make

A cold engine uses more fuel than awarm engine. It is not necessary to‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting itidle for a long time. You can driveaway i

Be sure electronic accessories donot overload electrical circuits(see page ).If possible, have your dealer inspectthe final installation.Before instal

In addition, any modifications thatdecrease ground clearance increasethe chance of undercarriage partsstriking a curb, speed bump, or otherraised obje

Your car has several convenientstorage areas so you can stow cargosafely.The glove box, and the pockets inthe doors and on the passenger’sseat-back ar

Store or secure all items that couldbe thrown around and hurtsomeone during a crash.Besureitemsplacedonthefloorbehind the front seats cannot rollunder

Distribute cargo evenly on thefloor of the cargo area, placing theheaviest items on the bottom andas far forward as possible.If you carry large items

To reduce the chance of injury, wearyour seat belt properly, sit uprightwith your back against the seat andmovetheseatawayfromthesteering wheel to the

This section gives you tips onstarting the engine under variousconditions, and how to operate the5-speed and 6-speed manualtransmissions and automatic

Make sure all windows, mirrors,and outside lights are clean andunobstructed. Remove frost, snow,or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat(see page ).Che

If the engine does not start within15 seconds, or starts but stallsright away, repeat step 4 with theaccelerator pedal pressed half-waydown. If the en

The manual transmission is syn-chronizedinallforwardgearsforsmooth operation. It has a lockout soyou cannot shift directly from Fifthto Reverse. When

Drive in the highest gear that letsthe engine run and acceleratesmoothly. This will give you the bestfuel economy and effective emis-sions control. Th

The 6-speed manual transmissionhas an electric lockout so you cannotaccidentally shift from Fifth toReverse instead of Sixth. If youcannot shift to Re

The shift lever has five positions. Itmust be in Park or Neutral to startthe engine. When you are stopped inD, D , N, R or the manual mode,press firml

−To shift from:PtoRRtoNNtoDDtoDDtoDDtoNNtoRRtoPDo this:Press the brake pedal, thenmove the shift lever.Move the lever.33If you have done all of the ab

−−−−−−To shift to Reversefrom Park, see the explanation underPark. To shift to Reverse fromNeutral, come to a complete stop andthen shift.Your car has

−＋＋−−Withthe shift lever in ‘‘D’’ position, youcan select the Sequential SportShiftMode to shift gears; much like amanual transmission, but without ac

See page for how to adjust seat-backs.Reclining a seat-back so that theshoulder part of the belt no longerrests against the occupant’s chestreduces th

→−−→−−→→→→→→Downshifting gives you more powerwhen climbing or provides enginebraking when going down a steep hill.If you try to manually downshift at

→→→→To shift from21324354Speed rangeunder 31 mph(50 km/h)under 63 mph(100 km/h)under 94 mph(150 km/h)under 131 mph(210 km/h)If you exceed the maximum

If you need to use the Shift LockRelease, it means your car isdeveloping a problem. Have the carchecked by your Acura dealer.Remove the screwdriver fr

−Make sure the moonroof and thewindows are closed.Turn off the lights.Make sure the parking brake is fullyreleased before driving away.Driving with th

Check your brakes after drivingthrough deep water. Apply thebrakes moderately to see if they feelnormal. If not, apply them gently andfrequently until

The hydraulic system that operatesthe brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally acrossthe vehicle (the left-front brake isconnect

＊＊＊＊itonly helps with steering controlduring braking. You should alwaysmaintain a safe following distancefrom other vehicles.such as trying to take ac

−− Being able to seeclearly in all directions and beingvisible to other drivers are importantin all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad w

− Check your tiresfrequently for wear and properpressure. Both are important inpreventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss oftraction on a wet surface). In thew

Your Acura has been designedprimarily to carry passengers andtheir cargo. You can use it to tow atrailer if you carefully observe theload limits, use

Position the lap part of the belt aslow as possible across your hips,then pull up on the shoulder part ofthe belt so the lap part fits snugly.This let

To achieve a proper tongue load,start by loading 60 percent of theload toward the front of the trailerand 40 percent toward the rear, thenre-adjust th

The best way to confirm that vehicleand trailer weights are within limitsis to have them checked at a publicscale.Using a suitable scale or a specialt

If you choose electric brakes, besure they are electronically actuated.Do not attempt to tap into yourvehicle’s hydraulic system. Nomatter how success

Many states and Canadian provincesrequire special outside mirrors whentowing a trailer. Even if they don’t,you should install special mirrors ifyou ca

The added weight, length, andheight of a trailer will affect yourvehicle’s handling and performance,so driving with a trailer requiressome special dri

Follow all normal precautions whenparking, including firmly setting theparking brake and putting thetransmission in Park (automatic) orin 1st or Rever

This section also includesMaintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,a Maintenance Record, and instruc-tions for simple mai

This section includes instructions forsimple maintenance tasks, such aschecking and adding oil. Any serviceitems not detailed in this sectionshould be

Be surethere is adequate ventilationwhenever you operate the engine.Let theengine and exhaust system coolbefore touching any parts.Donot run the engin

−The Maintenance Schedule specifieshow often you should have your carserviced and what things needattention. It is essential that you haveyour car ser

This Owner’s Manual should be considered apermanent part of the vehicle, and shouldremain with the vehicle when it is sold.The information and specifi

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,so that the wheel points toward yourchest, not toward your face.Pointing the steering wheel towardyour chest prov

＃−According to state and federalregulations, failure to performmaintenance on the items markedwith will not void your emissionswarranties. However, Ac

−＊＃＃＃＊＃Maintenance198Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000km x 1,000monthsInspect every 110,000 miles (176,00

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＊＃＃＃＊Maintenance199U.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersABCDEService at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.Refer to pa

−＊＃＃＃＊＃Maintenance200Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000km x 1,000monthsAt 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＃＊CONTINUEDMaintenance201U.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersABCDEFService at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.Ref

□□□□□＃＊＃Maintenance202See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page .Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.Check an

CONTINUEDMaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)2035,000 mi10,000 mi15,000 mi20,000 mi25,000 mi30,000 mi35,000 mi40,0

MaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)20465,000 mi70,000 mi75,000 mi80,000 mi85,000 mi90,000 mi95,000 mi100,000 mi10

−−−−−−−Engine oil level Check everytime you fill the fuel tank. Seepage .Engine coolant level Check theradiator reserve tank every timeyoufillthefuelt

Fluid LocationsMaintenance206EENNGGIINNEE OOIILLFFIILLLL CCAAPP((BBllaacckk ccaapp))BBRRAAKKEE FFLLUUIIDD((GGrraayy ccaapp))RRAADDIIAATTOORR CCAAPPEEN

After all occupants have adjustedtheir seats and put on seat belts, it isvery important that they continue tosit upright, well back in their seats,wit

CONTINUEDTo add oil, unscrew and remove theengine oil fill cap on top of the valvecover. Pour in the oil, and install theengine oil fill cap. Tighten

−The SAE numbers tell you the oil’sviscosity or weight. Select the oil foryour car according to this chart.An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 ispreferre

Always change the oil and filteraccordingtothetimeanddistance(miles/kilometers) recommenda-tions in the maintenance schedule.The oil and filter collec

Remove the oil filter and let theremaining oil drain. A specialwrench (available from your Acuradealer) is required to remove thefilter.Install a new

Turn off the engine, let it sit forseveral minutes, then check the oillevel. If necessary, add oil to bringthe level to the upper mark on thedipstick.

If the reserve tank is completelyempty, you should also check thecoolant level in the radiator.If the coolant level in the reservetank is at or below

Make sure the engine andradiator are cool.Turn the radiator cap counter-clockwise, without pressing downon it, until it stops. This relievesany pressu

Openthehood.Makesuretheengine and radiator are cool to thetouch.Remove the radiator cap.Thecoolingsystemshouldbecompletely drained and refilled withne

CONTINUEDPour Honda All SeasonAntifreeze/Coolant Type 2 intothe radiator up to the base of thefiller neck. This coolant is amixture of 50 percent anti

Check the level in the windshieldwasher reservoir at least monthlyduring normal usage. In bad weather,when you use the washers often,check the level e

Because protecting the mother is thebest way to protect her unborn child,a pregnant woman should alwayswear a seat belt whenever she drivesor rides in

The windshield washer reservoir islocated behind the driver’s sideheadlight. Check the reservoir’s fluidlevel by removing the cap andlooking at the le

Insert the dipstick all the way backinto the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.The transmission should be drainedand refilled with new

If Honda MTF is not available, youmay use an API service SG, SH or SJgrade motor oil with a viscosity ofSAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as atemporary replacement

The fluid level should be betweentheMINandMAXmarksonthesideof the reservoir. If the level is at orbelow the MIN mark, your brakesystem needs attention

A low power steering fluid level canindicate a leak in the system. Checkthe fluid level frequently and havethe system inspected as soon aspossible.Alw

To replace it: Loosen the five bolts.Clean the air cleaner element byblowing compressed air through it inthe opposite direction to normal airflow. If

Lift up the cover slightly, thenmove it sideways to separate itfrom the breather tube.Reinstall the air cleaner housingcover, tighten the five bolts.P

Clean the hood latch assembly with amild cleaner, then lubricate it with amultipurpose grease. Lubricate allthe moving parts (as shown),including the

Torque the spark plug. (If you donot have a torque wrench, tightenthe spark plug two-thirds of a turnafter it contacts the cylinder head.)Tightening t

＋−＋−Check the condition of your car’sbattery monthly. You should checkthe color of the test indicator window,and for corrosion on the terminals.Plug G

Carrying hard or sharpobjects on your lap, or driving witha pipe or other sharp object inyour mouth, can result in injuriesif your front airbag inflat

−If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking sodaand water. Then use a wrench toloosen and remove the cables fromthe terminals. Al

If you need to connect the battery toa charger, disconnect both cables toprevent damage to the car’selectrical system.Your driver’s power window (seep

Check the condition of the wiperblades at least every six months.Look for signs of cracking in therubber, or areas that are gettinghard. Replace the b

Remove the blade from its holderby grasping the tabbed end of theblade. Pull firmly until the tabscome out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades.

Periodically check the engine’sradiator and air conditioningcondenser for leaves, insects, anddirt stuck to the front surface. Theseblock the air flow

To replace it:Open the glove box. Remove thehooks on the side panels by pullingout on the tabs. Pivot the glovebox out of the way.The dust and pollen

Remove the first filter by pulling itstraight out of the air conditioningunit. Remove the second filter bysliding it to the left, then pulling itout.I

An auto-tensioner adjusts the tensionof the drive belt. The indicator onthe auto-tensioner should be in theproper range. It should be checkedaccording

We recommend that you visuallycheck your tires every day. If youthink a tire might be low, check itimmediately with a tire gauge.Use a gauge to measur

Every time you check inflation, youshould also examine the tires fordamage, foreign objects, and wear.Youshouldlookfor:Bumpsorbulgesinthetreadorside o

(See page.)To reduce the number of childdeaths and injuries, every state andCanadian province requires thatinfants and children be restrainedwhenever

In addition to proper inflation,correct wheel alignment helps todecrease tire wear. If you find a tireis worn unevenly, have your dealercheck the whee

When shopping for replacementtires, you may find that some tiresare ‘‘directional.’’ This means theyare designed to rotate only in onedirection. If yo

If you ever need to replace a wheel,make sure the wheel’s specificationsmatch those of the original wheelthat came on your car. Replacementwheels are

＋Wheels:See page for information aboutDOT Tire Quality Grading. Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have anall-weather trea

Mount snow chains on your carwhen warranted by driving condi-tions or required by local laws. Makesure the chains are the correct sizefor your tires.

Check the operation of your car’sexterior lights at least once a month.A burned out bulb can create anunsafe condition by reducing yourcar’s visibilit

Check the following:Headlights (low and high beam)Parking lightsTaillightsBrake lightsHigh-mount brake lightTurn signalsBack-up lightsHazard light fun

Open the hood.Your car has two bulbs on each side,four in total. Make sure you arereplacing the bulb that is burned out.Your car uses halogen headligh

Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pulling theconnector straight back.Remove the rubber weather sealby pulling on the tab.Unclip the end

Insert the socket back into theheadlight assembly. Turn itclockwise to lock it in place.Testthelightstomakesurethenew bulb is working.Install the powe

Front airbags have been designed tohelp protect adults in a moderate tosevere frontal collision. To do this,the passenger’s front airbag is quitelarge

Open the hood. The front parkinglight is next to the headlight bulb.Remove the socket from theheadlight assembly by turning itone-quarter turn counter

Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket.Push the new bulb straight intothe socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into thelight assembly. Turn

Determinewhichofthefivebulbsis burned out: stop/taillight, turnsignal light, side marker light,back-up light, or taillight.Remove the socket by turnin

Removethelensbycarefullyprying on the edge of the lens witha fingernail file or a small flat-tipscrewdriver. Do not pry on theedge of the housing arou

Remove the bulb by pulling itstraight out of the bulb holder.Push the new bulb into the bulbholder.Reinstall the lens by inserting theoutside edge fir

Block the rear wheels.Fill the fuel tank.Change the engine oil and filter(see page ).Wash and dry the exteriorcompletely.Cleantheinterior.Makesurethec

Regular cleaning and polishing ofyour Acura helps to keep it ‘‘new’’looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car andpreserve its appe

Fill a bucket with cool water. Mixin a mild detergent, such asdishwashing liquid or a productmade especially for car washing.Only use the solvents and

−−You should use a quality liquid orpaste wax. Apply it according to theinstructions on the container. Ingeneral, there are two types ofproducts:Waxes

Vacuum the carpeting frequently toremove dirt. Ground-in dirt will makethe carpet wear out faster.Periodically shampoo the carpet tokeep it looking ne

CONTINUEDTo remind you of the passenger’sfront airbag hazards, and thatchildren must be properly restrainedin the back seat, your car haswarninglabels

If your seat belts get dirty, you canuse a soft brush with a mixture ofmild soap and warm water to cleanthem. Do not use bleach, dye, orcleaning solve

If you use a liquid air freshener,make sure you fasten it securely so itdoes not spill as you drive.Clean the windows, inside and out,with a commercia

Repair chips and scratches in thepaint as soon as you discover them.Inspect and clean out the drainholes in the bottom of the doorsand body.Check the

Make sure the repair facility usesgenuine Acura replacement bodyparts. Some companies make sheetmetal pieces that seem to duplicatethe original Acura

This section covers the more-common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. Itgives you information about how tosafely evaluate the pro

Thecompactsparetirehasashortertread life than a regular tire. Replaceit when you can see the tread wearindicator bars. The replacementshould be the sa

If you have a flat tire while driving,stop in a safe place to change it.Stopping in traffic or on the shoulderof a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly

Turn the jack’s end bracketcounterclockwise to loosen it, thenremove the jack.Loosen the five wheel nuts 1/2turn with the wheel wrench.Take the spare

CONTINUEDUse the extension and wheelwrench as shown to raise thevehicle until the flat tire is off theground.Remove the wheel nuts and flattire. Tempo

Put on the spare tire. Put thewheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscrosspattern with the wheel wrenchuntil the wheel is firmly

Many parents say they prefer to putan infant or small child in the frontpassenger seat so they can watch thechild, or because the child requiresattent

Remove the wheel cover or centercap.Place the flat tire face down in thespare tire well.Store the jack in its holder. Turnthe jack’s end bracket clock

When you turn the ignition switch toSTART (III), you do not hear thenormal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking soundor series

Turn the ignition switch to START(III). If the headlights do not dim,check the condition of the fuses. IfthefusesareOK,thereisproba-bly something wron

＋＋If your car’s battery has run down,you may be able to start the engineby using a booster battery. Althoughthis seems like a simple procedure,you sho

−Connect the second jumper cableto the negative ( ) terminal onthe booster battery. Connect theother end to the grounding strapas shown. Do not connec

If you see steam and/or spraycoming from under the hood, turnoff the engine.If you do not see steam or spray,leave the engine running andwatch the tem

Start the engine and set thetemperature control lever tomaximum. Add coolant to theradiator up to the base of the fillerneck. If you do not have thepr

This indicator should light when theignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. It shouldnever come on when the engine isrunning. I

This indicator should come on whenthe ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If itcomes on brightly when the engineis running,

If you have recently refueled yourcar, the cause of this indicatorcoming on could be a loose ormissing fuel fill cap. Check the capand tighten it unti

Leaving children withoutadult supervision is illegal in moststates and Canadian provinces,and can be very hazardous. Forexample, infants and smallchil

Your car has certain ‘‘readinesscodes’’ that are part of the on-boarddiagnostics for the emissionssystems. In some states, part of theemissions testin

＊＊＊＊Slow down by shifting to a lowergear, and pull to the side of the roadwhen it is safe. Because of thelonger distance needed to stop, it ishazardou

Remove the wrench. Replace theround plug.Insert the moonroof wrench intothe socket behind this plug. Turnthe wrench until the moonroof isfully closed.

The under-hood fuse box is locatedin the engine compartment next tothe battery. To open it, push the tabas shown.All the electrical circuits in your c

If something electrical in your carstops working, the first thing youshould check for is a blown fuse.Determine from the chart on pagesand , or the di

Look for a burned wire inside thefuse. If it is burned, replace it withoneofthesparefusesofthesamerating or lower.If the radio fuse is removed, theaud

＊＊＊＊＊＊No.No.Circuits ProtectedCircuits Protected::Canadian models onlyType-S only12345678910111213141516171819202122232425Ignition CoilLaf HeaterDayti

−No. Circuits Protected123456789101112131415161718192021 25Condenser fanSmall LightInterior LightCooling FanHazardFI ECUHorn, StopABS (F/S)Back UpABS

−−−The towtruck uses two pivoting arms that gounder the tires (front or rear) and liftthem off the ground. The other twotires remain on the ground.If

If you decide to tow your car with allfour wheels on the ground, makesure you use a properly-designed andattached tow bar. Prepare the car fortowing a

The following pages give generalguidelines for selecting and installingchild seats for infants and smallchildren.Childrenuptoaboutoneyear old should b

−−Thediagramsinthissectiongiveyou the dimensions and capacities ofyour Acura, and the locations of theidentification numbers. It alsoincludes informat

Your car has several identifyingnumbers located in various places.The Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) is the 17-digit number yourAcura dealer uses

The Engine Number is stamped intothe engine block.The Transmission Number is on alabel on top of the transmission.Identification NumbersTechnical Info

−−＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Technical InformationSpecifications290Air ConditioningDimensionsWeightsEngineCapacities173.0 in (4,395 mm)67.9 in (1,725 mm)55.1 in

−＊＊＊＊−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊SpecificationsTechnical Information291FusesCapacitiesLightsBatteryAlignmentTires0.0in(0mm)0.08 in (2.0 mm)0°00’InteriorUnd

−The treadwear grade is a compara-tive rating based on the wear rate ofthe tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified governmenttest c

− Warning: The temperature grade forthis tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-tion

Some conventional gasolines arebeing blended with alcohol or anether compound. These gasolinesare collectively referred to asoxygenated fuels. To meet

If you are planning to take yourAcura outside the U.S. or Canada,contact the tourist bureaus in theareas you will be traveling in to findout about the

＊＊The United States Clean Air Actsets standards for automobileemissions. It also requires thatautomobile manufacturers explain toowners how their emis

As you read this manual, you willfind information that is preceded bya symbol. Thisinformation is intended to help youavoid damage to your Acura, othe

Before purchasing a child seat, werecommend that parents test thechild seat in the specific vehicleseating position (or positions) wherethey intend to

The emissions control systems aredesigned and certified to work to-gether in reducing emissions tolevels that comply with the Clean AirAct. To make su

Keep the engine tuned-up.Always use unleaded gasoline.Even a small amount of leadedgasoline can contaminate thecatalyst metals, making the threeway ca

CONTINUEDIf you take your vehicle for a stateemissions test shortly after thebattery has been disconnected orgone dead, it may not pass the test.This

Then drive in city/suburbantraffic for at least 10 minutes.When traffic conditions allow, letthe vehicle coast for severalseconds without using theacc

Customer Relations...Information . 302...Warranty Coverages . 303Reporting Safety Defects...

Acura dealership personnel aretrained professionals. They shouldbe able to answer all your questions.If you encounter a problem that yourdealership do

−−−−−−−−−a seatbelt that fails to function properly iscovered for the useful life of thevehicle.Your new Acura is covered by thesewarranties:provides

To contact NHTSA, you may eithercall the Auto Safety Hotline toll-freeat 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 inWashington D.C. area) or write to:NHTSA, U.S. D

305Main MenuTable of Contents

−＊＊＊＊２００２ＡＣＵValid only for sales within the U.S. Canadian owners shouldcontact their authorized Acura dealer.The following publications covering the o

Never in the front seat, dueto the front airbag hazard.The passenger’s front airbaginflates with enough force to killor seriously injure an infant in

−−−ＳＨＩＰＴＯＰＡＹＭＥＮＴThis manual complements the Service Manual byproviding in-depth troubleshooting information for eachelectrical circuit in your vehicle

CONTINUED...Accessories and Modifications . 162...Accessories . 162...Additional Safety Precaution . 163...

＊...DANGER, Explanation of . ii...Dashboard . 2, 58...Daytime Running Lights . 69...

CONTINUED...Economy, Fuel . 161...Emergencies on the Road . 261...Battery, Jump Starting . 270...

...Fuel . 155...Fill Door and Cap . 156...Gau

CONTINUED...Introduction . i...Jacking up the Car . 265...

Oil...Change, How to . 209...Change, When to . 198...Checking Engine . 159...Pre

＊CONTINUED...Head Restraints . 11...Seat Belts . 8...Seats & Seat-Bac

＊...Technical Descriptions . 287...Emissions Control Systems . 296...Oxygenated Fuels . 294Three Way Catalytic...

...Compact Spare . 262...Wrench . 264Windows...Cleaning .

After selecting a proper child seat,and a good position to install the seat,there are three main steps ininstalling the seat:Make sure the child is pr

Service Information SummaryGasoline: Automatic Transmission Fluid:Fuel Tank Capacity:Recommended Engine Oil: Tire Pressure (measured cold):Brake Fluid

Only a rear-facing child seat providesproper support for a baby’s head,neck, and back. Infants up to aboutone year of age must be restrained ina rear-

With the child seat in the desiredback seating position, route thebelt through the child seataccording to the seat maker’sinstructions, then insert th

Pushandpullthechildseatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure enough tostay upright during normal drivingmaneuvers. If the child sea

To deactivate the lockingmechanism and remove a child seat,unlatch the buckle, unroute the seatbelt, and let the belt fully retract.To achieve the des

A child who can sit up withoutsupport, and who fits within the childseat maker’s weight and heightlimits, should be restrained in aforward-facing, upr

With the child seat in the desiredseating position, route the beltthrough the child seat accordingto the seat maker’s instructions,then insert the lat

Pushandpullthechildseatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure enough tostay upright during normal drivingmaneuvers. If the child sea

−−−−−−To help you make informeddecisions about safety, we haveprovided operating procedures andother information on labels and inthis manual. This inf

When a child reaches therecommended weight or height limitfor a forward-facing child seat, thechild should sit in the back seat andwear a lap/shoulder

Devices intended to improveoccupant comfort or reposition theshoulder part of a seat belt, severelycompromise the protective capabilityof the seat bel

The back seat is the safest place fora child of any age or size.The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that a

Supervise the child. Even maturechildren sometimes need to bereminded to fasten the seat beltsor sit properly.If you decide that a child can safelyrid

Since a tether can provide additionalsecurity, we recommend using atether whenever one is required oravailable.To use the anchorage point, pivot itsco

Your car is equipped with LATCH(Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren) at the rear seats. Thelower anchors are located betweenthe seat-back and seat b

Follow the child seat maker’sinstructions for any additionaladvice on adjusting or tighteningthe fit.Attach the tether strap hook to thetether anchora

This seat belt has a single belt thatgoes over your shoulder, across yourchest and across your hips.The seat belt system alsoincludes a light on thein

If the shoulder part of the belt ispulled all the way out, the lockingmechanism will activate. The beltwill retract, but it will not allow thepassenge

For safety, you should check thecondition of your seat belts regularly.Pull each belt out fully and look forfrays, cuts, burns, and wear. Checkthat th

Your Car at a Glance2PPOOWWEERR WWIINNDDOOWWSSWWIITTCCHHEESSAAUUDDIIOO SSYYSSTTEEMMSSHHIIFFTT LLEEVVEERRHHEEAATTIINNGG//CCOOOOLLIINNGGCCOONNTTRROOLLSS

If a seat belt is worn during a crash,it must be replaced by the dealer. Abelt that has been worn during acrash may not provide the same levelof prote

Your Supplemental Restraint System(SRS) includes:Two front airbags. The driver’sairbag is stored in the center ofthe steering wheel; the frontpassenge

This can occur when the severity ofa collision is at the margin, orthreshold, that determines whetheror not the airbags will deploy. Insuch cases, the

To get the best protection from theside airbags, front seat occupantsshould wear their seat belts and situpright and well back in their seats.If you e

If the light comes on at any othertime, or does not come on at all, youshould have the system checked byyour dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator

A front seat passenger should notuse a cushion or other object as abackrest. It may prevent the cutoffsystem from working properly.When you turn the i

Together, airbags andseat belts provide the bestprotection.Tampering could causethe airbags to deploy, possiblycausing very serious injury.See page fo

Push the button.Select the mode.Turn the fan on high speed.Set the temperature control to acomfortable setting.High levels of carbon monoxide cancolle

These labels are in the locationsshown. They warn you of potentialhazards that could cause seriousinjury. Read these labels carefully.If a label comes

56Main Menu

Your Car at a Glance3HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTTSS//TTUURRNN SSIIGGNNAALLSS((PP.. 7733))((PP.. 7733))((PP.. 6699//7700))TTIILLTT AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTT((PP.. 774

This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation ofyour Acura. All the essential controlsare within

Control LocationsInstruments and Controls58PPOOWWEERR WWIINNDDOOWWSSWWIITTCCHHEESSAAUUDDIIOO SSYYSSTTEEMMSSHHIIFFTT LLEEVVEERR((PP.. 8800))((PP.. 9911

＊＊＊＊＊The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.Indicator LightsInstruments and Controls59AANNTTII-

The instrument panel has manyindicators to give you importantinformation about your car.This indicator lights when you turnthe ignition switch ON (II)

This light has two functions:This indicator comes on when youturn the ignition switch ON (II). Itis a reminder to check the parkingbrake. Driving with

The left or right turn signal lightblinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink orblinks rapidly, it usually means oneof t

This indicator comes on for a fewseconds when you turn the ignitionswitch ON (II). It will then go off ifyou have inserted a properly-codedignition ke

−This indicator reminds you that it istime to take your car in forscheduled maintenance.Refer to the Maintenance Schedulesfor Normal and Severe Drivin

Your dealer will reset this indicatorafter completing the scheduledmaintenance. If this maintenance isdone by someone other than yourAcura dealer, res

This shows your speed in miles perhour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometersper hour (km/h).This shows your speed in kilometersp

4Main Menu

This shows the temperature of theengine’s coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should risefrom the bottom white mark to aboutthe middle of the

Thetwoleversonthesteeringcolumn contain controls for drivingfeatures you use most often. The leftlever controls the turn signals,headlights, and high

To flash the high beams, pull theturn signal lever back lightly, thenrelease it. The high beams will comeon and go off.The high beams will stay on for

To signal a lane change, push lightlyon the turn signal lever in the properdirection and hold it. The lever willreturn to the center position as soona

This lever controls the windshieldwipers and washers. It has fivepositions;MIST: mistOFF: offINT: intermittentLO: low speedHI: high speedTo select a p

To operate the wipers in mist mode,push the control lever up from theOFF position. The wipers run at highspeed until you release the lever.This gives

The rear window defogger will clearfog, frost, and thin ice from thewindow. Push the defogger button toturn it on and off. The light in thebutton ligh

See page for important safetyinformation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel.17Make any steering wheel adjustmentbefore you start driving

CONTINUEDYour car comes with two masterkeys and a valet key.The valet key works only in theignition and the door locks. You cankeepthegloveboxlockedwh

The Immobilizer System protectsyour car from theft. A properly-coded master or valet key must beused in the ignition switch for theengine to start. If

This section gives you importantinformation about how to protectyourself and your passengers. Itshows you how to use seat beltsproperly. It explains y

CONTINUEDAs required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thefollowing two conditions: (1) This devic

−−−−If the front wheels are turned, theanti-theft lock may sometimes makeit difficult to turn the key fromLOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turnthe steering w

Each door has a lock tab at the top ofthe door. When you push down thelock tab on the driver’s door, bothdoors and the hatch lock. Pulling upthe lock

Each door has a master door andhatch lock switch. Either switchlocks and unlocks both doors and thehatch. Push the switch down to lockboth doors and t

You can lock and unlock your carwith the remote transmitter. Whenyou push the LOCK button, bothdoors and the hatch lock.When you push the UNLOCK butto

Panic mode allows you to remotelyactivate your vehicle’s horn andlights to attract attention. Whenactivated, the horn will sound, andthe headlights, p

＋Remove the old battery and note thepolarity. Make sure the polarity ofthe new battery is the same ( sidefacing up), then insert it in thetransmitter.

Open the glove box by pulling thebottom of the handle. Close it with afirm push. Lock or unlock the glovebox with the master key.The glove box light c

−To change the angle of the seat-back,pull up on the lever on the outside ofthe seat bottom. Move the seat-backto the desired position and releasethe

To get into the back seat on thedriver’s side, pull up on the seat-backadjustment lever.Vary the lumbar support by movingthe lever on the right side o

Excessive speed is a major factor incrash injuries and deaths. Generally,the higher the speed the greater therisk, but serious accidents can alsooccur

The back of the rear seat folds downto give you more cargo space. Eachside folds down separately. With onlyhalf the seat folded, you can stillcarry a

On Canadian modelsBoth front seats are equipped withseat heaters. The ignition switchmust be ON (II) to use them. Pushthe heater switch to turn the po

The cargo area cover may be re-moved to give you more cargo room.Open the hatch.Push up on the sides of the cargoarea cover to release the coverfrom t

Reverse this procedure to install thecargo area cover.Thereisareferencelineonthecargo area side panel. To avoiddamaging the cargo cover, remove itif t

−The driver’s armrest has a masterpower window control panel. Toopen the passenger’s window, pushdown on the switch and hold it untilthe window reache

To open or close the driver’s windowpartially, push down or pull back onthe window switch lightly and hold it.The window will stop when yourelease the

Usetheswitchonthedashboardtoopen and close the moonroof. Theignition switch must be ON (II).Pushandholdthe switchtoopen the moonroof. Release theswitc

Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrorsclean and adjusted for best visibility.Be sure to adjust the mirrors beforeyou start driving.The inside mirror has day a

To apply the parking brake, pull thelever up fully. To release it, pull upslightly, push the button, and lowerthe lever. The parking brake light onthe

Touseavanitymirroronthebackofthe sun visor, pull up the cover.To use this coat hook, rotate thehook down. Close it with a firm push.Vanity Mirror, Coa