low oil pressure Acura MDX 2005 Owner's Manual

Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM (VSA) INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATORSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR PARKING
BRAKE AND
BRAKE
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TPMS INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
BRAKE LAMP
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
VTM-4 INDICATOR
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.273)
(P.60)
(P.60)
(P.67) (P.64)
(P.64) (P.62)/
(P.66)
(P. 63)
(P.65) (P.
62)
(P. 65) (P.
61)
(P.66)
(P.
66)
(P.60)
(P.60) (P.64) (P.63)
(P.61) (P.
60)
(P.63)
(P.63) (P.
61)

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service and that you inspect your
vehicle. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires and check the
tire pressure.
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.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressure.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comf ort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.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 and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help you have a smoother start on
snow and ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not pump
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause yourvehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all road
conditions or obstacles, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
Bef ore driving through water, stop
and make sure that:
The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember: Accelerating and Braking
Avoiding ObstaclesDriving on Slopes
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
224

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Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Acura
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. 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 .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. 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 .
U.S. Vehicles:
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed at the recommended time
or mileage period to ensure long-
term reliability. 189
190
242 243
253
245
Maintenance Schedule
Servicing Your Vehicle
Owner’s Maintenance ChecksMaintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
230

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 .260
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .261
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 267
................................
Jump Starting .268
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 270
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
..........
Charging System Indicator . 272
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
...............
Brake System Indicator . 274
......................
Emergency Towing .274
..............................................
Fuses .275
..............................
Fuse Locations .278
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
259

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
189
237
274
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
272
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.

CONT INUED
Driving Position Memory..........................................
System .97
..................
DVD Error Messages . 141
...................................
DVD Player .134
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
..................................
Emergencies .259
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 268
...........
Brake System Indicator . 274
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 261
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 276
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 270
.......................................
Towing .274
...........................
Emergency Brake .94
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .274
.......................
Emissions Controls .289
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 69Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 237
...............................
Overheating .270
............................
Specif ications .285
............................
Speed Limiter .202
.......................................
Starting .189
...................
Engine, .267
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 289
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .290
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .107
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 187
Filters ...............................................
Oil .238
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 261.....................................
Floor Mats .249
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 242
..........................................
Brake .243
..........................
Power Steering .244
..................
Windshield Washer . 241
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .116
........................................
Fog Lights .77
................
Folding the Second Seat . 89
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
........................................
Front Seat .86
......................................
Adjusting .86
.........................................
Airbags .26
.........................................
Heaters .91
.................................................
Fuel .186
......................
Fill Door and Cap .187
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 186
...............................
Oxygenated .186
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .276
if it won’t start
Index
E
F
INDEX
III

...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190
.........................................
Gasoline .186
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 186
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
................
Gas Station Procedures . 187
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 69
...............................................
Fuel .68
...............................
Speedometer .68
.................................
Tachometer .68
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 200
......................................
Glove Box .102
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 245
.............................
HandsFreeLink .160
..............................
HFL Buttons .161
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .74
........................................
Aiming .245
....................
Automatic Lighting .75
............
Daytime Running Lights . 76
..................
High Beam Indicator . 63
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 74
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 74
.........................
Reminder Chime .74
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 245
...................................
Turning on .74
...................................
Headphones .147
..............................
Head Restraints .88
.................................
Heated Mirror .96
.................................
Heaters, Seats .91
.....................
Heating and Cooling .106
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 74
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .156
.......................
Hood, Opening the .188
..................................................
Horn .70 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 282
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .81
............
Timing Control System . 290
........................
Immobilizer System .80
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 60
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 61
....................................
A/T Temp .64
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .61
.................................
Brake Lamp .62
........................
Charging System .60
.............................
Cruise Control .63
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .63
...................................
High Beam .63
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 61
.....................................
Lights On .64
......................................
Low Fuel .63
........................
Low Oil Pressure .60
......................
Low Tire Pressure .66
...............
Maintenance Required . 67
Index
GHI
IV

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .79
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .60
.......................................
Seat Belt .60
...............................................
SRS .60
...............
Tire Pressure Monitor . 66
.............................
TPMS System .66
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .62
............................
VSA Activation .65
.................................
VSA System .65
..........................................
VTM- 4 .64
..............................
Washer Level .63
..................
Individual Map Lights . 100
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .40
......................................
Inf ant Seats .40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 252
...................................
Inside Mirror .95
.............................
Inspection, Tire .253
........................
Instrument Panel .4 ,59
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 76
.................................
Interior Lights .99
........................................
Introduction .i .................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 264
.......................................
Jack, Tire .261
................................
Jump Starting .268
.......................
Label, Certif ication .282
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 74
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 16,21
......................
Light Control Switch .99
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .245
.......................................
Indicator .60
.........................................
Interior .99
.........................................
Parking .74
..................................
Turn Signal .74
.............................
Load Limit .194, 213
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81............................
Fuel Fill Door .187
..................................
Glove Box .102
....................
Lockout Prevention . 82
.................................
Power Door .82
........................
Low Coolant Level .190
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .63
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,272
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 284
...............
Luggage, .193
..................................
Maintenance .227
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .230
.................................
Record .233-235
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .228
.............................
Schedule .229-232
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,273
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 87
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 97
...............................
Meters, Gauges .68
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .95storing (cargo)
Index
J
L K
M
INDEX
V

...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .31
.............................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .198
................
With a Dead Battery . 268
..............
State Emissions Testing . 292
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 270
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...
Stereo Sound System . 112,118,123
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .258
........................................
Sun Visor .103
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .33
.........................
SRS Indicator .31 ,60
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .238
.....................................
Tachometer .68
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 247
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 259Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 289
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .291
.......................
Temperature Gauge .69
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
............................
Thef t Protection .131
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 291
....................................
Timing Belt .244
....................................
Tire Chains .256
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 261
.................................
Tire Labeling .288
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .205
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .66, 205
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor . 66,206
..................
TPMS Indicator . 66,206
...............................................
Tires .252
..............................
Air Pressure .252
.........................
Checking Wear .254
..........................
Compact Spare .260
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 286
......................................
Inf lation .252
..................................
Inspection .253 ..............................
Maintenance .254
...................................
Replacing .255
......................................
Rotating .254
...........................................
Snow .256
............................
Specif ications .285
................................
Tire Chains .256
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .213
................
Emergency Wrecker . 274
....
Equipment and Accessories . 217
.............................
Weight Limit .213
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .222
.........................
Trailer Loading .215
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 220
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 242
...........................
Fluid Selection .242
..............
Identif ication Number . 282
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 200
.....................................
Treadwear .286
..............................
Trip Computer .149
.......................................
Trip Meter .69
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 261
Index
T
VIII