Acura RSX (All years/types)

michiganman · March 2003

Actually, gas mileage has me worried a little. I do about 75% city and 25% highway on my 2002 Base, and I have been getting 25-27 mpg. I would have hoped to be around 27-30 mpg. I live in the Midwest. Anyone else have poor gas mileage?

Other stuff:

miles - 6000 (through 6 months)
accessories/mods - none
maintenance - just the 5K oil change. Switching to Mobil1 5W20 at 10K.
impressions - all very positive except for annoying dash rattle

joe249 · March 2003

How come they only come on Canadian models?
Also, here's a clue for some of you I learned . If the maintentenace required light comes on at 8k or sooner than you need maintenance turn key to on and press on trip meter and after ten seconds it will reset cars computer.
HI, Himler, love my 5 Beamer don't regret giving daughter Type S and thank God she has the Xpel on it.Also, noticed engine doesn't stay as clean as my GSR must be the new style.
;She's getting lousy milage.It must be the cold winter

michiganman · March 2003

joe249, why does gas mileage go down in the winter? This is a serious question, I really don't know. Is it driving in the snow (haven't had that much this winter so far in Chicago)?

himiler · March 2003

It's great to hear from you! I'm glad the 5 is keeping you happy.

My Prelude's (sorry revka) fuel economy has been slipping lately, too. I've been averaging only 25-27mpg all winter in 90% highway driving (albeit at 75mph+).

I think the winter gas formulations can have an effect on fuel economy. Also, the engine takes longer to warm up (and lean out the fuel-air mix) and is working harder to power the heater and defroster, not to mention some lost motion due to slippery roads.

beowulf7 · March 2003

I have a DSM RSX-S. It is quickly approaching 9,000 miles. I bought it last May. I purchased some options from the dealer (rubber floor mats, Al shift knob, Ti interior trim, and cargo net). I also have some aftermarket modifications (subwoofer since the Bose woofer is junk, Type-R spoiler, and tint).

himiler's explanation about fuel efficiency decreasing in the winter sounds reasonable. I've noticed a ~10% on gas mileage w/ every car I've driven. I'm now geting about 24-28 mpg depending on if I did more highway or city driving. In the summer and fall, even w/ moderate A/C usage, I was getting a 26/30 split.

sf24 · March 2003

aside from winter gas formulation and slippery roads, aren't combustion engines supposed to be more efficient in a colder environment?

himiler · March 2003

Not if they take a long time to reach their operating temperatures.

Cold, dense air is good for making power, but operating an engine in low temps means that it might not be getting all the lubrication it requires, and has to run "rich" for a longer time as it slowly warms up.

beowulf7 · March 2003

The other thing to consider is that many drivers warm up their car for an exceedingly long time in the winter compared to the summer. Sometimes, I'm guilty of this when I spend 5 min. brushing off the snow and scraping off the ice.

dsm6 · March 2003

I'm really enjoying this car. Bought it on Christmas Eve. I've put about 2700 miles on it so far. IMO, an excellent daily driver with its combination of comfort, solidity, quality, safety, clean emissions, fuel efficiency and the ability to really rip. The later is probably what the car is most about, but it does all of the former as well. It almost has a dual personality - keep it cool and I can get 31 mpg city and putter around in it just fine as a commuter, or rev it up, head for the hills, and throw it into corners at extra-legal speeds. It has served me well for both - don't tell my wife about that extra-legal speed thing. ;-)

Just about 100% "city" (as in no highway) driving and I'm averaging 26-31 mpg. No rattles. No problems with the 6-speed tranny. In fact, its the best manual gearbox I've ever had the pleasure of using.

michiganman · March 2003

dsm, glad to hear your car is working out so great. Just curious, do you live in a cold or warm climate?

On a different topic, does anyone have a squeak in the steering column? A slight one appeared last weekend in my Base.

dsm6 · March 2003

I live in Colorado - Boulder-Denver area. I'll let you decide if that is a cold or warm climate; we expect a high of around 65 today. ;-)

himiler · March 2003

The '98 GS-R I owned made a squeak from the steering column when turning the wheel. Turned out to be a bad bushing in the column and was replaced under warranty.

My '01 Prelude made a squeak when turning the wheel, too, but that noise turned out to be a bum ball joint (also replaced under warranty).

Hope this helps.

dsm6 · March 2003

Took the RSX-S up into the foothills just west of Boulder. I feel much better now.

If you haven't driven your RSX on some twisty mountain roads yet, I highly recommend you find an excuse to do so.

dsm6 · March 2003

This gearbox, more so than any other I've driven, seems very particular about clutch disengagement. I find that if the clutch pedal isn't all the way to the floor before I shift into a gear - particularly 2nd gear (which can happen if you get sloppy when shifting quickly), more often then not I'm punished with a rough shift. I wouldn't characterize this as a problem with the gear box.

Oh, and as has been the case for me with all manual trannies, it's not as smooth when cold. Again, I wouldn't say this is a problem either - quite typical. In fact, it's less pronounced than with my previous vehicle (Mazda Protege).

bobst · March 2003

I drive fairly slow and I shift gears slow, so I don't put much stress on a manual transmission. Maybe that is why we have always been very satisfied with the trannys in our cars - from our 1972 Datson 510, our 1976 Volvo, up to our two current Hondas.

I bet you guys like to shift fast at high RPMs, so that probably puts more stress on the syncro rings.

Yeah, like I really know what a 'syncro ring' is. I have heard that phrase in Road & Track, so I thought I would throw it in here, figuring you guys wouldn't know what it is either. The only time I actually saw the inside of a transmission was in 1969 when we tried to repair my friend's TR3, and I was amazed. Much more complicated than I ever imagined.

nippononly · March 2003

synchro cones? :-)

I do know that every manufacturer seems to be advertising "dual synchro cones" on all the gears right now, like that is a big deal. Were they all single-synchro up until now?

michiganman · March 2003

Thanks for the info himlier. I am on the fence as to whether it's worth taking it in or not (the squeak is very slight, and only when I turn the wheel all the way to the right).

himiler · March 2003

I'd at least let a tech check it out when you drop in for an oil change.

wayde · March 2003

Hi Beowulf - Wondering if you have any pics of the interior with the Ti accents? I love the white Type S, but am a little put off by the Ti interior color (would've preferred black). Wondering if the accents "help". tobympls@yahoo.com if you could send.
Thanks!

beowulf7 · March 2003

Yes, I do have pictures of my titanium (tannish gray/grayish tan) interior after getting the titanium trim. I'll e-mail them to you as you requested. Even though my interior is not ebony (black), the Ti highlights still make it more appealing, IMO.

wayde · March 2003

Got the email - I really like 'em!

nitromax · March 2003

It would be interesting to see some vehicle updates in here. Haven't seen any in a while. Anyone interested in listing their total miles to date, current mpg (city/highway), new accessories/mods, road trips, maintenance to date, and overall impressions (pro/cons) of your RSX... compared to when you first purchased? Who's game?

Total mileage is 38,100
average mpg is ~28-32mpg
only mod is the K&N filter
Bring it to dealer every 5,000 miles

Only problem I had was the vtec servo shorting out on me around 36,000. I called up my dealer and he told me to bring it in ASAP. It was still drivable, I just couldn't bring the revs over 3-4K.

Overal impression is.....I love this car! :-) It still makes me enjoy driving it, On days like today (70 deg) I look for excuses to go out and drive...even after all of the miles.

Cons: no heated mirrors or heated seats, no LSD either, it would have come in handy during this past winter.

tmc1688 · March 2003

BOUGHT MY RSX TYPE S IN DEC 2002
CURRENT MILELAGE 3700
BETWEEN A 50-50 CITY AND HIGHWAY I GET ABOUT 27 MPG IF I DRIVE VERY CONSERVATIVELY.

PROS: ACCELERATION / HANDLING AND ALL MY CO-WORKERS WANNA TEST DRIVE IT.

CONS: HAVE TO WASH IT ALMOST EVERYWEEK BECAUSE THE SATIN SILVER REALLY SHOWS THE DIRT.

HAVEN'T DONE ANY MODS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO VOID THE WARRANTY. PERHAPS I WOULD THINK ABOUT THE FP PACKAGE. BY THE WAY HAS ANYONE DONE THE FP PACKAGE? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? AND DO YOU FEEL THE DIFFERENCE?

himiler · March 2003

Could you please speak up a little?

The FP package is a rip-off for what you get. Buy a CAI, better tires and aftermarket brake pads and you'll run away from the FP car.

nippononly · March 2003

FP supposed to be an appearance package more than a performance package?

medicboy13 · March 2003

Does anybody have a body kit on the rsx-s? If so can you email me a picture I would appreciate it, I can't find one to look at around here.

revka · March 2003

Hi Everyone - Sorry, I had to delete a post, because it was not within our Member Agreement Guidelines.

Please be aware that accept for special cases (i.e. vehicle problems) where important information is not available in our forums, our Town Hall policy does not permit postings that send our members to other automotive message boards.

It's okay to links members to other automotive websites, for informational purposes, as long as they DO NOT include message boards. Okay?

Feel free to email me if you have any questions/comments regarding this matter. Also, please be aware that I do not set policy here, nor can I change it. If you'd like to address any of our policies someone higher up the ladder, you can contact our Town Hall manager sylvia@edmunds.com

And now, let's get back to the subject of the Acura RSX. Thanks for your participation!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

Kirstie_H · March 2003

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat. Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability) against other Town Hall members.

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

Hope to see you there!

beowulf7 · March 2003

You're welcome. Good luck on your decision on which car to get.

beowulf7 · March 2003

You got that much of a mileage boost by tossing out the stock air filter and replacing it w/ K&N? Nice!

I'm only getting about 24-30 mpg on my Type-S when having a ~33% city, ~67% hwy mix.

nitromax · March 2003

You got that much of a mileage boost by tossing out the stock air filter and replacing it w/ K&N? Nice!

I'm only getting about 24-30 mpg on my Type-S when having a ~33% city, ~67% hwy mix.

I don't have the Type S. I have the auto because I do alot of driving and much of it is in traffic. The top gear on the auto is designed for highway cruising. When traveling at 75mph, my RPMs are about 2800....at 65 to 75 mph, the rpm range is all primed for passing due the lower torque curve (which peaks at roughly 4000 rpm) on the base engine. It makes for spirited highway travel....AND better gas mileage.
:-)

edberg_dc · March 2003

As a potential RSX buyer, I had a question about the backseat and hatch. I used to have an old escort hatch a long time ago and did find it extremely useful. However, I still could fit a person in the back. Do normal adults (i.e. a 6'0 man with an average build) fit in the back at all? I know it's small, but just wondering if it's at least useable for trips up to an hour.

Thanks!

himiler · March 2003

You don't have to be a six-footer to have your head pressed hard against the RSX's hatch glass.

Rear head room is rather scarce.

dsm6 · March 2003

How much do you like this 6' man? I'm 6' 2" and I'm happy I spend my time in the front seat of my RSX. Yes, I "fit" in the rear, but not very well - knees to the sides of the front seat and hunched over due to the sloping roof line.

edberg_dc · March 2003

I like the car but I occasionally schlep my co-workers to lunch, friends to the store, etc. Most of my friends/co-workers can't drive and I have to tell them directions every single time, etc. - as a result I prefer driving. I just want to make sure I can fit someone back there, I know it's not a 7 series, just curious how horrible it is.

It's not a huge concern, honestly, I was just checking what people had to say.

beowulf7 · March 2003

Since the auto RSX has roughly the same gas mileage as the Type-S (extra HP and MT vs. AT cancel each other out), coupled w/ the fact that you drive a lot in traffic, leads me to believe that the K&N has positively impacted your milage.

beowulf7 · March 2003

I'm rarely in my back seat, so I can't speak from experience. But I've had my brother (5'9", 180 lb.) and a friend (5'11.5", 185 lb.) fit in the back w/o any complaining.

nitromax · March 2003

Since the auto RSX has roughly the same gas mileage as the Type-S (extra HP and MT vs. AT cancel each other out), coupled w/ the fact that you drive a lot in traffic, leads me to believe that the K&N has positively impacted your milage.

It has given me better gas mileage...or better performance....depending on my driving. From what I remember though, the gains are only a couple of HP (from dyno's that I've seen)

If you're keeping your stock filter assembly, then I would recommend the K&N. I clean mine every 10k miles just because I feel better doing it. The filter is never that dirty but it gives me peace of mind.

I personally have been watching the upcoming Injen CAI with interest. I might be thinking about adding that...not sure yet though, I'm worried about how Acura will honor my warranty should something go wrong.

himiler · March 2003

You could always ask the service manager about how a CAI might affect you warranty.

BTW, it's best not to over-clean a K&N filter. They actually filter better when they have a slight layer of dust in them. No joke. I think they suggest cleaning them every 50,000 miles, but I figure once a year (in the Spring) is a good time.

nitromax · March 2003

I should add that my mileage before the K&N filter was about the same as after I added it.

nitromax · March 2003

BTW, it's best not to over-clean a K&N filter. They actually filter better when they have a slight layer of dust in them. No joke. I think they suggest cleaning them every 50,000 miles, but I figure once a year (in the Spring) is a good time.

True. Funny thing is, their directions on cleaning say every 50,000 or once a year. Nobody I know ever drives 50k a year, but they must just say that so it will get an annual cleaning.

himiler · March 2003

Although you don't really know me, I drive ~75K miles every year.

nitromax · March 2003

Although you don't really know me, I drive ~75K miles every year.

hmmm...let me reiterate.

"Almost" everyone I know drives less than 50k per year.
:-)

Those are some serious miles. What's your odometer reading now?

himiler · March 2003

112K and change. It's a lot of fun.

silverrsxs1 · March 2003

If I'm carrying more than one passenger, I'm usually not going more than a few miles. For those short trips, I haven't really heard any complaints. I wouldn't want to shove a six-footer back there for more than 15-20 minutes though. Also, the driver seat doesn't slide forward, so it becomes somewhat of a pain in the butt to offload more than one rear-seat passenger. Still, the seats work, and if rear-seat comfort was a big criteria for me in my shopping, I would have bought a Camry.

nitromax · March 2003

If I'm carrying more than one passenger, I'm usually not going more than a few miles. For those short trips, I haven't really heard any complaints. I wouldn't want to shove a six-footer back there for more than 15-20 minutes though. Also, the driver seat doesn't slide forward, so it becomes somewhat of a pain in the butt to offload more than one rear-seat passenger.

I agree with what you said.

Just so as not to confuse interested buyers, the drivers seat DOES slide forward, it just doesn't have the "super slide" that the passenger seat does. Most passenger cars have this "super slide" feature on only the passenger seat anyways.

happyharley · March 2003

I haven't purchased my RSX yet but probably will within the week. Just out of curiosity, has anyone had any problems getting their RSX serviced at a Honda dealer? The dealer says yes, they can do this. My nearest Acura dealer is 100 miles away. Nearest Honda dealer about 10, hence the question.

beowulf7 · March 2003

Part 1: Thanks for your reply. I'm very tempted to get the K&N filter since I do plan to keep the stock filter assembly. I will most likely replace my stock air filter w/ the K&N one once my stock filter is dirty. I guess that would be around 20-25 kmi.? I feel guilty replacing my stock filter so soon (I'm only at 9 kmi.) while it would be so clean. So K&N in my car by Summer 2004?

Part 2: I think what silverrsx1 was saying is that the driver side seat does not slide forward by simply tilting the seat forward. You have to actually push the lever up. But for the passenger side, all one has to do is tilt the seat and the seat slides forward.

himiler · March 2003

Having your Acura serviced at the local Honda shop shouldn't be a problem.

kestrel02 · March 2003

I was checking Edmunds TMV for the 2002 RSX and it seemed very low to me. I've noticed that non-S types tend to sell for 18-20K around here, apparently based on KBB which is 20ish. But Edmunds TMV shows 15,850 for dealer retail? What's the deal here? Can you really haggle the prices that much or I am getting bad feedback from the TMV calculator?

Acura RSX (All years/types)

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