check engine Acura TSX 2005 Owner's Guide

Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to: Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.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 should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then 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 on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Install the maintenance cover and
tighten the bolt securely.
9. 8.
7. 6. 10. 12. 11.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
205
OIL FILTER
4.4 US qt (4.2)
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m) 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.

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal use.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.The low washer
level indicator will light when the
level is low (see page ). Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
59
Canadian Models:
Windshield Washers
206
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
207
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug and add
f luid into the tube to bring it to the
upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
1.
2. 3.5. 4.
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
Maint enance
209
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the two bolts, then pull the
lef t part of the under cover down. Af ter checking and adding the f luid,
put the under cover back in place
and tighten the bolts securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
211
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
BOLT
UNDER COVER
BOLT

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
CONT INUED
Clutch Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
213
MAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
CONT INUED
Vehicle Storage
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
233
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

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 .236
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .237
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 241
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .241
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .242
................................
Jump Starting .243
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 245
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 247
..........
Charging System Indicator . 248
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 248
.......................
Readiness Codes .249
...............
Brake System Indicator . 250
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 251
......................
Emergency Towing .252
..............................................
Fuses .254
..........
Checking and Replacing . 254
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
235

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or do not come on at
all, the battery is discharged. See on page .
Store the wheel cover or center
cap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged.
Check these things:
Lower the trunk f loor, then close
the trunk lid.
19.
243
CONT INUED
If the Engine Won’t StartNothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Changing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
241
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.

Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery connections (see page
). You can then try jump
starting the vehicle from a booster
battery (see page ). 252
243
232 167
72 254
252
If theEngineWon’tStart
Emergency T owing T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing
242