2003 Acura TL check engine light

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´ ´
CONT INUED
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Remove the battery cover.
To jump start your car, f ollow these
directions closely:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: climate control, stereo
system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
Acura’s battery. Connect the other
end to the positive ( ) terminal
on the booster battery.
4.
5.
3.
1.
2. 253
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed297
P P
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reem m i
iuu m
m m
mo
od
de
ell
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

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.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
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 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. (See
on 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.
178 233 312
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
301
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.

Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving. If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed. If you have recently ref ueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, it indicates one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your car’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage.
CONT INUED
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed303
M M A
AL
LFFUUN NCCTTI
IOON N I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R L
LAA M
M P
P
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car’s emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car’s warranties.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 181
................................
Accessories .181
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 182
............................
Modif ications .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 235
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 47
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .248
......
Air Conditioning System . 118,123
..............................
Maintenance .258
.................................
Usage .118, 123
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .261
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .322
......................................
Antif reeze .238
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .60, 202
...................................
Operation .201
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 78
..........................
Appearance Care .279
................................
Audio System .129
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 70 ...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 45
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 153
..............
Automatic Transmission . 190
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .318
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 244
.......................................
Shif ting .190
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 190
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 191
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 197
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .59, 302
............................
Jump Starting .296
..............................
Maintenance .253
............................
Specif ications .319
..............................
Bef ore Driving .173
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
...........................
Beverage Holder .108
...................................
Body Repair .286
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 201
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 174
....................
Bulb Replacement .273 ...........................................
Fluid .246
.......................................
Parking .104
.................
System Indicator . 59,305
........................
Wear Indicators .200
.............................
Braking System .200
........................
Break-in, New Car .174
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights .69
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .273
..............................
Brake Lights .273
..............................
Ceiling Light .275
........................
Courtesy Lights .275
.................................
Fog Lights .272
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 270
.................................
Headlights .269
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 274
...................
License Plate Light . 274
............................
Specif ications .319
...................................
Spotlights .275
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 270
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .269
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .318
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .183
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .141
...................................
Operation .137
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .142
..................................
Ceiling Light .111
........................
Certif ication Label .316
............................................
Chains .266
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .235
......................................
When to .224
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .289
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 240
...
Charging System Indicator . 59,302
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 188
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 248Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .281
...................................
Carpeting .282
......................................
Exterior .280
.................................
Floor Mats .282
.......................................
Interior .282
.......................................
Leather .283
...................................
Seat Belts .283
...........................................
Vinyl .283
....................................
Windows .284
.......
Climate Control System . 118,123
.........................
Clock, Setting the .105
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .53
........................................
Coin Box .106
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 189
..............................
Compact Spare .288
.................
Console Compartment . 106
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 330
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .238
....................................
Checking .179
.........................
Proper Solution .238
...................................
Replacing .240
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
....................
Corrosion Protection .285 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .324
............
Cruise Control Operation . 153
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 330
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 332
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
......
Def rosting the Windows . 122,127
....................................
Dimensions .318
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..................................
Engine Oil .178
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 200
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .237
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .62
......................
Power Door Locks .79
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 320
.....................................
Drive Belts .259
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .187
....................................
Economy .180
.........................
In Bad Weather .209
................
In Foreign Countries . 323
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .96
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 259
..............................
Economy, Fuel .180
............
Emergencies on the Road . 287
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 296
...........
Brake System Indicator . 305
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 289
.....
Charging System Indicator . 302
..................
Checking the Fuses . 307
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 301
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 303
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 306
..................
Overheated Engine . 299
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .312
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86.......................
Emissions Controls .324
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 327
Engine ............................................
Belts .259
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 303
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59,301
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 233
...............................
Overheating .299
............................
Specif ications .319
............................
Speed Limiter .197
.......................................
Starting .189
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .322
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 324
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 280
..........................
Fan, Interior .120, 125
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 175Filter
................................
Air Cleaner .248
.........................
Dust and Pollen .259
...............................................
Oil .235
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 289
.....................................
Floor Mats .282
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..........................................
Brake .246
..........................
Power Steering .247
................
Windshield Washers . 243
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .135
........................................
Fog Lights .70
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 323
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,47
.................................................
Fuel .174
......................
Fill Door and Cap .175
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 174
...............................
Oxygenated .322
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
Index
E
F
III

.....................
Fuses, Checking the .307
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 180
..........................................
Gasohol .322
.........................................
Gasoline .174
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 174
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
................
Gas Station Procedures . 174
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 66
...............................................
Fuel .66
...............................
Speedometer .64
.................................
Tachometer .64
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .212
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 190
..............................
Glass Cleaning .284
........................................
Glove Box .87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .212 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 269
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 73
........................................
Headlights .69
........................................
Aiming .269
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .70
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
.........................
Reminder Chime .69
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 269
...................................
Turning on .69
..............................
Head Restraints .91
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 189
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 69
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .157
....................................
Hood Latch .247
.......................
Hood, Opening the .176
.................................
Hydroplaning .210
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 316Ignition
..............................................
Keys .76
...........................................
Switch .78
............
Timing Control System . 325
........................
Immobilizer System .77
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 261
...................................
Inside Mirror .94
.............................
Inspection, Tire .262
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
...........................
Interior Cleaning .282
...............................
Interior Lights .111
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .291
.......................................
Jack, Tire .290
................................
Jump Starting .296
Index
G H
IJ
IV

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .316
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,44
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .269
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .69
..................................
Turn Signal .71
.....................................
Load Limit .184
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention .80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .175
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .85
........................
Low Coolant Level .179
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 59,301
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 318.........................................
Luggage .183
..................................
Maintenance .219
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
........................................
Record .229
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .220
.............................
Schedule .224-228
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .59, 303
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 96
...............................
Meters, Gauges .64
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 322
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.......................................
Moonroof .103
......................
Closing Manually .306
...................................
Operation .103
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 193
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 174
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 316 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 174
.........................................
Odometer .65
...............................
Odometer, Trip .65
Oil ........................
Change, How to .235
......................
Change, When to .224
......................
Checking Engine .178
..............
Pressure Indicator . 59,301
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .234
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .324
............................................
OnStar .162
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 323
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .299
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .322
Index
K
L
NO
M
V