AcuraRSX2006Overview/acura/rsx/2006/base/

2006 Acura RSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 RSX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2006 Acura RSX is a passenger car featuring an S5 automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. This model provides an EPA-rated fuel economy of 22/31/25 mpg. Within a model history spanning 2001 to 2008—which saw owner complaints peak at 91 in 2002 and drop to one in 2007—the 2006 model recorded two recalls and 24 total owner complaints, with the power train cited as the top complaint area.

Model year20062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/31/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 400 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 400 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55VR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2705 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 31 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RSX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2002 Type-S Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.20 sec14.90 sec210 hpFWD
2005Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.40 sec14.90 sec210 hpFWD
2003Type-S Factory Performance Coupe 2.0L I-46.80 sec15.40 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.10 sec14.80 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.30 sec15.00 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.71 sec15.11 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.90 sec15.40 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-47.03 sec15.32 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidAcura part number 08798-9031-A
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)850 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance400 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-54 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle41 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Acura RSX sits in the declining phase of a clear problem arc: complaints spiked dramatically in 2002 (91 complaints, 4 recalls, 115 TSBs) but fell steadily each subsequent year, with 2006 recording just 24 complaints and only 16 TSBs—down from 32 complaints and 25 TSBs in 2005. Recalls also dropped from 4 in earlier model years to just 2 by 2005-2006. By 2007-2008, complaints had collapsed to just 1 per year with zero recalls, indicating the generation's reliability issues had been largely resolved through the production run. For the 2006 specifically, the top complaint areas were Power Train and Suspension (5 each), followed by Exterior Lighting (3), with 4 crash-related complaints recorded but zero fire complaints. The data suggests 2006 benefits from the mature production position of the platform while still carrying the lower complaint volume seen in later model years—a reasonably safe buy within this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
16
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5
Suspension5
Exterior Lighting3
Exterior Lighting,Structure2
Air Bags2
Seats1
Structure1
Electrical System,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06V270000Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other ManualReported 26/07/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE. Remedy: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY…

13V246000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 13/06/2013

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 16 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B980152016-03-18EquipmentSpecial Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
DLR MSG - Acura2014-08-06Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
DLR MSG - Stop S2014-07-23Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
SB-12-0012012-01-12Electrical SystemACURA: UPDATE ON SOME MODEL VEHICLES REGARDING TESTING OF ALTERNATORS WITH THE GR8…
SB-06-0232011-10-22Engine And Engine CoolingACURA: THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INPUT IN MISINTERPRETED BY THE ECM/PCM/ THE MIL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RSX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 RSX take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 RSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RSX get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined mpg.