checking oil Acura TSX 2005 Owner's Manual

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .190
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 191
............
Servicing Your Vehicle . 192
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .192
....................
Maintenance Record .197
..............................
Fluid Locations .201
........................
Adding Engine Oil .202
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 202
..............................
Synthetic Oil .203
................
Engine Oil Additives . 203
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 204
....................
Windshield Washers .206
..............................
Engine Coolant .207
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 207
.......................
Transmission Fluid .209
Automatic .........................
Transmission .209
Manual .........................
Transmission .211
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 212
................................
Brake Fluid .212
...............................
Clutch Fluid .213
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 213
....................................
Hood Latch .214
.............................................
Lights .215 .......................................
Seat Belts .223
.....................................
Floor Mats .223
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 223
.................................
Wiper Blades .224
...............................................
Tires .226
..................
Inf lation Guidelines . 226
...
Recomended Tire Pressures . 227
..........................
Tire Inspection .228
.....................
Tire Maintenance .228
.............................
Tire Rotation .229
.........................
Replacing Tires .229
......................
Wheels and Tires .230
..........................
Winter Driving .230
.............................
Snow Tires .230
............................
Tire Chains .231
...................
Checking the Battery . 232
.............................
Vehicle Storage .233
277
Maintenance
Maint enance
189

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

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

.......................................
Child Seats .30
...........
Lower Anchorage Points . 39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
..............
Climate Control Sensors . 111
.........................
Clock, Setting the .141
...................................
Clutch Fluid .213
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 167
..............................
Compact Spare .236
...................
Console Compartment . 97
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 274
Coolant ........................................
Adding .207
....................................
Checking .158
.........................
Proper Solution .207
...................
Temperature Gauge . 61
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .268
............
Cruise Control Operation . 143
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 277
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 52
................
Daytime Running Lights . 68
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 276................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 69
....................................
Dimensions .262
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 66
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..................................
Engine Oil .157
..........................
Directional Signals .66
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 178
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .205
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 74
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 265
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .168
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .165
....................................
Economy .159
..........
Dual Temperature Control . 109
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 223
..............................
Economy, Fuel .159
............
Emergencies on the Road . 235
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 243
...........
Brake System Indicator . 250................
Changing a Flat Tire . 237
.....
Charging System Indicator . 248
..................
Checking the Fuses . 254
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 247
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 248
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 251
..................
Overheated Engine . 245
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .69
......................
Emergency Towing .252
.......................
Emissions Controls .268
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 61
Malf unction Indicator ......................................
Lamp .248
..............
Oil Pressure Indicator . 247
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 202
...............................
Overheating .245
............................
Specif ications .262
....................
Speed Limiter . 169,174
.......................................
Starting .167
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 169,174
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 268
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .48
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
DE
II

CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .102
...........................................
Features .99
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 154
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .223
...............................................
Oil .204
Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 211
Manual Transmission ................................
Shif ting the .168
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 69
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 237
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..........................................
Brake .212
.........................................
Clutch .213
..............
Manual Transmission . 211
..........................
Power Steering .213
..................
Windshield Washer . 206
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .85
..........................
Four-way Flashers .69
.................................................
Fuel .152
...............................
Cap Message .62
......................
Fill Door and Cap .154 ...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 152
........................
Tank, Filling the .154
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .254
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 159
.........................................
Gasoline .152
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 152
........................
Tank, Filling the .154
................
Gas Station Procedures . 154
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 61
...............................................
Fuel .62
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 170
..............
Manual Transmission . 168
....................................
Glove Box .98
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 215..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 69
........................................
Headlights .66
........................................
Aiming .215
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 67
............
Daytime Running Lights . 68
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 66
.........................
Reminder Chime .66
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 215
...................................
Turning on .66
..............................
Head Restraints .84
.....................
Heating and Cooling .100
.................................
Heated Mirror .88
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .146
..
Hood, Opening and Closing the . 155
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .213
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 260
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .71
...........................................
Switch .73
............
Timing Control System . 269
Index
F
G
HI
INDEX
III

CONT INUED
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 152
.........................................
Odometer .60
Oil ........................
Change, How to .204
...............
Change, When to . 193-196
......................
Checking Engine .157
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,247
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .203
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 73
..............................
Outside Mirrors .88
.....................
Outside Temperature .60
....................
Overheating, Engine .245
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 192
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 68
........................
Park Gear Position .171
.................................
Parking Brake .93
.................................
Parking Lights .66
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 270
..................................
Parking Tips .177
.............................
PGM-FI System .269 ...................................
Pollen Filter .223
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .30
Protecting Inf ants and Small .......................................
Children .35
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 44
.....................
Using Booster Seat .45
...................
Radiator Overheating . 245
Radio/CD Sound ...............
System . 112,120,128,133
Rear Lights, .............
Bulb Replacement . 219-220
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .85
............................
Rear View Mirror .91
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 69
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 83
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 169
.............................
Reminder Lights .54
.......................
Remote Transmitter .76 Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 204
..........................................
Fuses .254
................................
Light Bulbs .215
.............................
Schedule .193-196
...........................................
Tires .229
.............................
Wiper Blades .224
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .21
.................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 207
...............................
Restraint, Child .30
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 171
................................
Rotation, Tire .229
......................................
Saf ety Belts .10
............
Safety Defects, Reporting . 276
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 49
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
................................
Satellite Radio .133
Index
O
P R
S
INDEX
V

CONT INUED
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .235
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 265
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .152
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .223
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 205..................................
Vanity Mirror .94
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 163
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .262
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 260
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .181
.........
VSA Activation Indicator . 181
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .182
..............
VSA System Indicator . 181
.............................
Vehicle Storage .233
.................................................
VIN .260
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .203
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .270
.......................
Temperature Gauge .61
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 270
..........................
Time, Setting the .141
....................................
Tire Chains .231
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 237
.................................
Tire Labeling .267
...............................................
Tires .226
..............................
Air Pressure .227
.........................
Checking Wear .228
..........................
Compact Spare .236
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 265
......................................
Inf lation .226
..................................
Inspection .228
...................................
Replacing .229
......................................
Rotating .229
...........................................
Snow .230
............................
Specif ications .264
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 237
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .183
................
Emergency Wrecker . 252Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .209
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .211
..........
Fluid Selection . 210,211,212
..............
Identif ication Number . 260
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 170
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 168
.....................................
Treadwear .265
.......................................
Trip Meter .61
................................................
Trunk .80
....................
Emergency Opener .81
.................................
Main Switch .81
.................................
Opening the .80
...................
Open Monitor Light . 56
....................................
Turn Signals .66
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 49
....................
Warranty Coverages .275
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 206
.....................................
Operation .65
Index
U V
W
INDEX
VII