check engine Acura TSX 2008 Owner's Guide

Canadian models only
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
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.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Windshield Washers, T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
297
DIPSTICK
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.
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Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
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, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If youarenotsurehowtoaddfluid,
contact your dealer.
2.
3.
5.
4.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
298
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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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 stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
If youarenotsurehowtoaddfluid,
contact your dealer.
Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
299
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
BOLT
UNDER COVER
BOLT
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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 spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
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. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Manual Transmission only
Clutch Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
301
MAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. 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 .
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 the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
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 .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
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.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
345
320 331
331
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
329
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In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.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 .
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 ).
127
249 340
345
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency
Towing
Starting the
Engine
330
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µKeep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding point
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine. 7.
6.
5.
4.
Jump Starting
332
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Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator.
7.
6.
8.
9. 10.
11.
345
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
334
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.
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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 ).
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
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, or if you see a ‘‘CHECK ENGINE
OIL LEVEL’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, the oil pressure
has dropped very low or lost
pressure. Serious engine damage is
possible, and you should take
immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.236
291
345
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
335
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.
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If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, or if you see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display, 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.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.If this indicator comes on while
driving, or if you see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display, it
means one of the engine’s emissions
control systems may have a problem.
Even though you may f eel no
dif f erence in your vehicle’s
perf ormance, it can reduce your f uel
economy and cause increased
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator could come on
because of a loose or missing f uel f ill
cap. You will also see a ‘‘TIGHTEN
FUEL CAP’’ message on the
inf ormation display. Tighten the cap
until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving.
If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Charging System Indicator, Malf unction Indicator L amp
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
336
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