2003 HONDA ACCORD oil pressure

The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in thetext.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR TCS ACTIVATION INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.58)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.62)
DOOR MONITOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.58)
(P.59)
(P.59)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.61) (P.59)
(P.65)
(P.60)
(P.58)
(P.61)
(P.58)
(P.58) (P.60)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.59)
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
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The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
347
348
349
351
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder L ightL ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
LampParking Brake and Brake
System Indicator
58
U.S. Canada
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CONT INUED
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. Exercise 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.
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Driving T echnique
235
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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
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
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 .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See pages
and . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
208
210
279
280 284 303
310
281
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance265
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Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
9.
8.
7.
6. (4-cylinder models)
(6-cylinder models) A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Oil, Cooling Syst em
Maint enance272
OIL FILTER
6-cylinder models
4-cylinder modelsRESERVE TANK
4.4 US qt (4.2)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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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
.)
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.
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. 364
Optional f or U.S. DX models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance299
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
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.
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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 ).
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. 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 .)
1. 2. 3. 4.
208 268 358
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
347
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
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.
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CONT INUED
Battery......
Charging System Light . 58, 348
............................
Jump Starting . 342
..............................
Maintenance . 294
............................
Specif ications . 365
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 203
..........................................
Belts, Seat . 8
.........................
Beverage Holders . 104
...................................
Body Repair . 332
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 230
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 204
....................
Bulb Replacement . 317
...........................................
Fluid . 284
.......................................
Parking . 102 .........................
System Indicator . 58
........................
Wear Indicators . 229
.............................
Braking System . 229
........................
Break-in, New Car . 204
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 69
........................
Brights, Headlights . 68
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 318
..............................
Brake Lights . 317
..............................
Ceiling Light . 320
................
Door Courtesy Light . 321
................
Front Parking Lights . 315
.................................
Headlights . 312
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 319
...................
License Plate Light . 319
............................
Specif ications . 365
...................................
Spotlights . 321
...............................
Trunk Light . 322
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 315
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 321
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 312
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 212
................................
Accessories . 212
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 213
............................
Modif ications . 213
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 78
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 107
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 270
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) . 9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 286
............................
Air Conditioning . 112
..............................
Maintenance . 299
.........................................
Usage . 112
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 304
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 369
......................................
Antif reeze . 273
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
................................
Description . 230
...............................
Indicator . 57, 231
...................................
Operation . 230
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 77
..........................
Appearance Care . 325
..........................................
Armrest . 103
................
Audio System . 134, 150, 169 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 195
..............
Automatic Transmission . 222
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 364
.......
Checking Fluid Level . 280, 281
.......................................
Shif ting . 223
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 223
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 223
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 226
Index
A
B
I
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