2002 Acura RL low oil pressure

µExercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent 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. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem 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 f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. Driving T echnique
Driving
Driving in Bad Weather
204
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µµµ µ
µ
µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .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 . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 181
182
237
238 240 255
260
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance225
01/09/28 20:02:19 31SZ3660_228

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or 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 ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently. 312
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance251
A A I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
01/09/28 20:06:26 31SZ3660_254

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 car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .282
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .283
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .288
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .288
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .289
................................
Jump Starting .290
............
If Your Engine Overheats .293
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .295
..........
Charging System Indicator .296
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .297
...............
Brake System Indicator .299
..................
Closing the Moonroof .300
..............................................
Fuses .301
..........
Checking and Replacing .302
......................
Emergency Towing .306
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed281
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Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (Seeon page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or 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. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). 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.
1.
2.
3. 4.
181 227 306
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed295
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
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 car stopped.
01/09/28 20:13:33 31SZ3660_298

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,52
................
Daytime Running Lights .65
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .327
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .71
......
Def rosting the Windows .120,124
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .239
....................................
Dimensions .312
...............
Dimming the Headlights .63
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .238
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .66
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .197
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .230
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .78
....................
Lockout Prevention .79
..............................
Monitor Light .57
......................
Power Door Locks .78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
.....................................
Drive Belts .252
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5 ...........................................
Driving .189
....................................
Economy .183
.........................
In Bad Weather .204
................
In Foreign Countries .317
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .97
..............................
Economy, Fuel .183
............
Emergencies on the Road .281
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 290
...........
Brake System Indicator . 299
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 283
.....
Charging System Indicator . 296
..................
Checking the Fuses . 302
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 295
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 297
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 300
..................
Overheated Engine . 293
.........................
Emergency Brake .102
......................
Emergency Flashers .70
......................
Emergency Towing .306
.......................
Emissions Controls .318
..............
Emissions Testing,State . 321Engine
............................................
Belts .252
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 60
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .55, 297
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,295
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 227
...............................
Overheating .293
............................
Specif ications .313
............................
Speed Limiter .194
.......................................
Starting .191
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 194
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .316
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 318
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .319
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .274
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .276
Index
D
E
F
III
01/09/28 20:18:55 31SZ3660_336

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .310
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .74
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System .319
........................
Immobilizer System .75
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel .53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .28
......................................
Inf ant Seats .28
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .253
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .255
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .66
...........................
Interior Cleaning .277
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .284
.......................................
Jack, Tire .284 ................................
Jump Starting .290
..................................................
Keys .74
.......................
Label, Certif ication .310
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .66
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .40
...................................
Learning Key .75
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .276
........................
Lights On Indicator .55
.........................
Lighter, Cigarette .109
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .262
........................................
Ceiling .111
.....................................
Courtesy .112
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .63
..................................
Turn Signal .66
.....................................
Load Limit .187
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .77
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .77 ..........................
Childproof Door .82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179
....................................
Glove Box .85
.................................
Power Door .78
...........................................
Trunk .83
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover .90
........................
Low Coolant Level .182
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .57
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .54,295
Lubricant Specif ications
..........................................
Chart .312
.........................................
Luggage .186
..................................
Maintenance .213
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 225
.................................
Record .223-224
......................
Required Indicator .61
..........................................
Saf ety .214
.............................
Schedule .218-222
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 55,297
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 93
...............................
Meters, Gauges .58
Index
I
J K
L
M
V
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