oil pressure Acura MDX 2002 Owner's Manual

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system
or automatic seat belt tensioners.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
53
54
329
327
328
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
62
01/09/07 12:05:31 31S3V610_067

µµAlways drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer
to react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions re-
quire a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these condi-
tions. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ). 128
Driving T echnique
Visibility
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving224
01/09/07 12:30:44 31S3V610_229

The f ollowing pages contain practical
tips on basic of f -highway operation.
Driving of f -highway can be hard on a
vehicle. Bef ore you leave the
pavement, be sure all scheduled
maintenance and service has been
done, and that you have inspected
your vehicle. Pay special attention to
the condition of the tires, and use a
gauge to check the tire pressures.Of f -highway, the general rule is to
keep your speed low. Of course,
you’ll need enough speed to keep
moving forward. But at higher
speeds, you have less time to assess
conditions and make good decisions.
There’s also a greater chance of
sliding if you brake or turn too
quickly on wet soil, gravel, or ice. In
any situation, never go f aster than
conditions allow.Generally, the best of f -pavement
braking technique is to gently
depress the brake pedal, then
increase pressure as more braking is
needed. Avoid hard braking. Keep in
mind that you will usually need more
time and distance to brake to a stop
on unpaved surf aces.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e. Check
the tires for damage and for proper
pressure. If you need to brake hard because of
an emergency, apply steady, even
pressure to the brake pedal. Do not
pump the brakes; let the anti-lock
braking system pump them f or you.
If you pump the brakes, the anti-lock
cannot work as ef f iciently, and your
stopping distance may be increased.
Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway. You may even dig
yourself into a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help get you to a smooth start on
snow and ice.
Driving
Cont rolling Speed
Check Out Your Vehicle
A ccelerat ing and BrakingDriving T ips
Off-Highway Guidelines
242
01/09/07 12:33:46 31S3V610_247

µµ µ
µ
µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 198
199
271 286
293
273
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance259
01/09/07 12:36:49 31S3V610_264

Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required to remove the
f ilter. 9.
8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3.
Engine Oil
Maint enance264
O OI ILL F
FIILLT T E
ER
R
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 5.0 US qt (4.7
, 4.1 Imp qt)
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.
01/09/07 12:37:31 31S3V610_269

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 342
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance284
A A
I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G
C
CO ON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
01/09/07 12:40:32 31S3V610_289

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .314
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .315
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .322
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .322
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .322
................................
Jump Starting .323
............
If Your Engine Overheats .325
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .327
..........
Charging System Indicator .328
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .329
...............
Brake System Indicator .331
..............................................
Fuses .332
..........
Checking and Replacing .333
......................
Emergency Towing .338
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed313
01/09/07 12:45:03 31S3V610_318

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten 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 .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
338
261
198
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
327
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
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.
01/09/07 12:47:27 31S3V610_332

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .201
................................
Accessories .201
...
Additional Safety Precaution .202
............................
Modif ications .202
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .262
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .275
..............
Air Conditioning System .124
..............................
Maintenance .284
.....................
Rear A/C Control .130
.........................................
Usage .124
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .286
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .346
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .307
......................................
Antif reeze .265
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light .63,222
...................................
Operation .221
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .170
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81 ..........................
Appearance Care .305
........................
Audio System .133,151
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .73
.............
Automatic Speed Control .172
..............
Automatic Transmission .211
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .342
...............
Checking Fluid Level .271
.......................................
Shif ting .212
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .211
................
Shif t Lever Positions .212
....................
Shif t Lock Release .215
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,328
............................
Jump Starting .323
..............................
Maintenance .280
............................
Specif ications .343
..............................
Bef ore Driving .193
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...................................
Body Repair .312 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .221
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 194
...........................................
Fluid .273
....................
Bulb Replacement .298
.......................................
Parking .106
.................
System Indicator . 63,331
........................
Wear Indicators .220
.............................
Braking System .220
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 194
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .298
..............................
Brake Lights .298
......................
Cargo Area Light .301
................
Front Parking Lights . 296
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 296
.................................
Headlights .295
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 299
..............
Individual Map Lights . 300
...................
License Plate Light . 300
.................................
Rear Bulbs .298
............................
Specif ications .343
............
Turn Signal Lights . 296,298
Index
A
B
I
01/09/07 12:52:14 31S3V610_364

CONT INUED
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .309
...................................
Fan, Interior .126 Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .195
Filters
...............................................
Air .275
.......................
Air Conditioning .285
...............................................
Oil .263
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 315
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 271
..........................................
Brake .273
..........................
Power Steering .274
..................
Windshield Washer . 270
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .157
........................................
Fog Lights .77
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 96
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Economy, Fuel .200
............
Emergencies on the Road . 313
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 323
...........
Brake System Indicator . 331
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 315
.....
Charging System Indicator . 328
..................
Checking the Fuses . 333
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 327
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 329
..................
Overheated Engine . 325
.........................
Emergency Brake .106
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .338 .......................
Emissions Controls .348
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts .285
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 329
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,327
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 261
...............................
Overheating .325
............................
Specif ications .343
............................
Speed Limiter .215
.......................................
Starting .210
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .349
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 306
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
.....................................
Drive Belts .285
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .207
....................................
Economy .200
.........................
In Bad Weather .224
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 285
Index
E
F
III
01/09/07 12:52:26 31S3V610_366