Cold Weather Performance

[njpunk24]

Ugh! So, I'm driving home from work today, sitting on the highway in HOT NJ traffic and all the sudden I see this light pop up on my dash! HOT! The Emission Malfunction light. I'm thinking, COOL! Could this be because of the sound I THINK I heard? Anyway. I get to the store to get some brews (gotta feed the habit). And I go to the gas cap. It feels kinda loose. Funny thing is, I got gas like 2-3 days ago... Do gas caps come loose? Anyway, I clicked it the 3 times and now and waiting my three days. F-ing crap! Anyone know if my possible paranoia of sound can be connected to the Emissions Malfunction light? I'm praying it's the damn gas cap! F-ing sh*T! I haven't even had this car a year. It better shut off after 3 days. Ugh. Guys, any thoughts? Thanks!

[RSX-S777]

HAHAHA! Hopefully it was just never tightened correctly and you don't have a bad seal. It shouldn't come loose if it was 3-clicked. I guess paranoia is a good thing once in a while. Try disconnecting the battery or pulling the fuse and see if it comes back on now that you've tightened the cap. I'm surprised you didn't feel any power loss or worse- temporary loss of movement altogether.

Hey- isn't it illegal to pump your own gas in Jersey?

[njpunk24]

Yeah, we got gas attendants down here! Although I'd rather pump my own gas. Some of those guys can't guide that thing in straight and nearly smash you ride! Anyway, that's the thing, I didn't tighten it. The attendant did. Thing is, I got gas on Saturday and I always try to listen for the minimum 3 clicks. Could have sworn I heard em. No idea how it'd be the gas cap 5 days later..... UGH! Thing is though, like I said about, when I went to check the cap, it did feel loose... It didn't feel tight, like when it's already been clicked and you know, you can just feel it getting ready to click over again if you turn it... So, no idea how it got loose or if the guy left it loose. I might have to try the battery disconect thing you suggest. And no, I didn't feel any power loss. Never felt the ride dragging. The pickup and acceleration has been normal. Anyway the possible noise I might have heard been anything with the gas cap being loose? Would that have any effect on engine noise??? I definitely have a love/hate relationship with cars! s777, thanks for the feedback and keep firing away with anything else you might know or think of! Thanks!

[paulkramer]

LOL!! Jersey's got more laws and regulations than any place I've ever lived!! I think it's the only state where you can't pump your own gas. I actually used to like that in the Winter when I lived there......certainly didn't care for the Jersey prices though!

[RSX-S777]

NJ, off the top of my head, check to make sure the whine is definitely coming from the engine bay. The vinyl surrounding the windshield in the RSX is known to "whine" at high speed and can be sealed to correct the problem. Also, front wheel bearings would whine if they are toast. I would also check your belts. Lastly, some Acura owners have reported transmission failure (I have no specifics) preceded by a whine. Hopefully thats not the case, eh? It's really hard to diagnose over the internet and, at the risk of upsetting Mendari, my advice would be to take it to your dealer if you suspect a serious problem emerging.

[Mendari]

Originally Posted by RSX-S777

at the risk of upsetting Mendari, my advice would be to take it to your dealer ...

LOL.
I agree with RSX-S777, the description of the symptom is too vague. When I test drove an RSX I heard a loud whine from the factory tires. That is completely normal for a tire designed for a long life.
You have to diagnose the symptom while the car is parked vs. while driving. Also, are you in a gear or are you coasting, is your air-conditioning on.....etc., etc.

[njpunk24]

Ok. Five speed manual. Driving on the highway. I'd be in 5th, doing about 65 and would accelerate to 75-80 to pass or just to go faster. Between where I was driving normally at (65) and before I reached 75-80 mph, it sounded like a slight "far away" whine. Like it was a distance out in front of my car. The past few days driving home from work I've been trying to sim the same situation and I'm thinking it was just paranoia. I'll being oing 60-65 and then accelerate up to 80 and it just sounds like a normal acura/honda accelerating in 5th gear. The whole Emission Malfunction Light thing has just thrown me a curveball and has increased any paranoia. I haven't disconnected the battery to reset the light due to having no time. But day 3 should be either today or tomorrow. If that light doesn't turn off, down to the dealer I go. If it does turn off, I'll probably just stay attentive for the next week or so and see if I hear anything random or different. Hopefully everything is all good. My Acura TLC card will be in my wallet at all times though!

[Drifter To Be]

my cold winter months plus cold air intake?
haha boy do i have some awesome tq and hp =D

[njpunk24]

Update: Light is OFF!!! I'll definitely be keeping an open ear and mind for anything out of the ordinary for the next week or so. But, that light turning off today definitely made my weekend. Time to sit around, fat out, and watch the Super Bowl. Thanks again guys!

[Type S]

good luck, hope it stays off.

[crazy_canuck]

Go Eagles!!!!

[Mendari]

Originally Posted by njpunk24

... Like it was a distance out in front of my car.

This sounds normal at those speeds. The RSX has very little sound insulation, so don't worry about a little wind noise.

[RSX-S777]

Originally Posted by crazy_canuck

Go Eagles!!!!

BWAHAHAHA! SUCKER...you should know by now...we are unstoppable (hockey and basketball excluded ). It's even sweeter because the Eagles talked so much trash for two weeks beforehand.

[crazy_canuck]

Bah I only wanted the eagles to win to get avenge the Steelers lost

At least the Steelers lost the to Superbowl champs.....

[RSX-S777]

^drunken Typing.