2001 Acura Integra low oil pressure

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain, fog, and snow conditions require a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greatercaution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these
conditions. Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem 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 for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 100).
CONTINUED
Drivin g

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page 127. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 128. Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 182. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
183.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 185. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
198.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 205.

Maintenance

Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m

Optional for Canadian Type-R model

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.

The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.

Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 254.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

AI
R CONDITIONIN G
CONDENSE R

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information 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 find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 226
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 231 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 232
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 233
Jump Starting................................. 233 If Your Engine Overheats............. 236
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 238Charging System Indicator........... 239
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 240
Brake System Indicator................ 241 Closing the Moonroof................... 242
Fuses............................................... 243 Checking and Replacing........... 244
Emergency Towing....................... 248

Takin g Care o f th e Unexpecte d

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressuredropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 127). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 173). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 248.)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
LO
W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149
In Foreign Countries................. 259
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 225 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 233
Brake System Indicator............ 241
Changing a Flat Tire................. 227
Charging System Indicator...... 239
Checking the Fuses................... 244
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 238
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 240
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 242 Overheated Engine................... 236
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 248
Emissions Controls........................ 260 Emissions Testing, State.............. 263
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 197
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 240
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 238
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 236
Specifications............................. 254
Starting........................................ 137
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 258
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 260
Exhaust Fumes................................
49

Expectant Mothers
, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 218
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 221

Fan, Interior...................................... 94

Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 188
Oil................................................ 175

5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 185
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 227
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183Brake........................................... 185
Clutch.......................................... 185
Manual Transmission............... 185
Power Steering........................... 187
Windshield Washer................... 182
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 259
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Jacking up the Car......................... 228

Jack, Tire........................................ 228

Jump Starting................................. 233
Keys................................................... 71
Label, Certification........................ 252Lane Change, Signaling.................. 63
Lap/Shoulder Belts.................. 16, 42
Leather, Cleaning.........................
. 221
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 90
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 209

Indicator........................................ 53
Parking.......................................... 62

Turn Signal................................... 63

Limited Slip Differential............... 148
Load Limit...................................... 133 LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 74
Locks

Anti-theft Steering Column........ 74
Fuel Fill Door............................. 124Glove Box..................................... 78
Hatch............................................. 76
Power Door and Hatch............... 75
Low Coolant Level......................... 128
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 138 Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 54
Low Oil Pressure Indicator... 55,
238
Lubricant Specification
s

Chart................................... 254, 255

Luggage.......................................... 132 Maintenance................................... 159
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171

Record.................................. 169-170

Required Indicator....................... 60

Schedule.............................. 164-168

Malfunction Indicator Lamp. 55, 240

Manual Transmission.................... 138

Manual Transmission Fluid......... 185

Meters, Gauges................................ 58

Methanol in Gasoline.................... 258
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 86

Moonroof.......................................... 85
Closing Manually....................... 242

Operation...................................... 85

Neutral Gear Position.................... 141 New Vehicle Break-in................... 123
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 139
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i

Numbers, Identification................ 252

Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 123
Odometer.......................................... 58

Odometer, Trip................................ 58

CONTINUED