2001 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN low oil pressure

Indicator Lights
TRACTION CONTROLSYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 56)

CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR (P. 58)SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 55)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 58)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR* (P. 55)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
(P. 55)

SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR
(P. 55)

IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 56)

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 309)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 310)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P. 311)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
(P. 58)

SEAT BELT REMINDERLIGHT (P. 54)
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR (P. 56)
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

TRACTION CONTROLSYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 56)

CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR (P. 58)SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 55)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 58)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR* (P. 55)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
(P. 55)

SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR
(P. 55)

IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 56)

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 309)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 310)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P. 311)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
(P. 58)

SEAT BELT REMINDERLIGHT (P. 54)
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR (P. 56)

Indicator Lights

The instrument panel has many

indicators to give you important
information about your car.

Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat

belt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
Low Oil Pressure

Indicator

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when

the engine is running. For complete

information, see page 309 .

Charging System

Indicator

If this light comes on when the

engine is running, the battery is not

being charged. For complete

information, see page 310 .

Instruments and Controls

Driving in Bad Weather

Rain, fog, and snow conditions
require a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these
conditions. Driving Technique — 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 city spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.

Driving
CONTINUED

Owner Maintenance Checks
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 182. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 184 .
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 246 . Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page 247. Brakes — Check the fluid level

monthly. See page 251.
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
267.
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 274.

Maintenance

Air Conditioning System
Optional for U.S. DX 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.
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER

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 a steady 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 328.)

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.

Maintenance

NOTICE
NOTICE

Taking Care of the Unexpected
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 instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 296
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 297
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 302 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 303
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 304
Jump Starting................................. 304 If Your Engine Overheats............. 307
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 309Charging System Indicator........... 310
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 311 Readiness Codes........................ 312
Brake System Indicator................ 313 Closing the Moonroof................... 314
Fuses............................................... 315 Checking and Replacing........... 316
Emergency Towing....................... 320

Taking Care of the Unexpected

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

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 pressure dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and 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 182). 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 234). 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 Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Index
Driving............................................ 191 Economy..................................... 185
In Bad Weather.......................... 209
In Foreign Countries................. 332
Economy, Fuel............................... 185
Emergencies on the Road............. 295 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 304
Brake System Indicator............ 313Changing a Flat Tire................. 297
Charging System Indicator...... 310
Checking the Fuses................... 316
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 309
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 311 Manually Closing Moonroof.... 314
Overheated Engine................... 307
Emergency Brake.......................... 101
Emergency Flashers....................... 66
Emergency Towing....................... 320
Emissions Controls........................ 333
Engine
Belts.............................................266

Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 59 Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 311
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 309 Oil, What Kind to Use............... 234
Overheating................................ 307
Specifications............................. 327
Speed Limiter..................... 196, 200
Starting........................................ 193
Engine Speed Limiter........... 196, 200
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 331
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 333
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 290
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 291

Fan, Interior.................................... 110

Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 109

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 178
Filter
Air Conditioning........................ 266
Oil................................................ 234 5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 249
5-speed Manual Transmission Shifting the................................. 195
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 66
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 297
Fluids Automatic Transmission .. 247, 248
Brake...........................................251
Clutch.......................................... 252
Manual Transmission............... 249 Power Steering........................... 252
Windshield Washer................... 246
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 158
Folding Rear Seat............................ 92
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 332
Four-way Flashers........................... 66
Fuel.................................................. 178 Fill Door and Cap....................... 178Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 178
Oxygenated................................ 331
Tank, Filling the......................... 178
Fuses, Checking the...................... 316
CONTINUED