Page 423 of 524
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil
420
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
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2009 TSX
Page 424 of 524

Remove the oil drain bolt and
washer from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the bolts located on the
underside of the body with a
wrench, then remove the under
cover.
2.
1. 3. 4.
CONT INUED
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
421
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT
BOLT UNDER COVER
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Page 425 of 524

Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it bef ore installing a
new oil f ilter. Install the under cover and tighten
the bolts securely.
7.
8.
9.
6. 10.
11.
12.
5.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
422
OIL FILTER
4.2 US qt (4.0)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
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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2009 TSX
Page 430 of 524

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Remove the transmission f iller bolt,
and caref ully f eel inside the bolt hole
with your f inger.
The f luid level should be up to the
edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole. Reinstall the f iller bolt, and
tighten it securely.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
The transmission should be drained
andrefilledwithnewfluidwhenthis
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the bolts with a wrench, then
remove the under cover caref ully. Reinstall the under cover and tighten
theboltssecurely.Makesurethe
under cover is installed under the
edge of the f ront bumper.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
Maint enance
427
Correct level
FILLER BOLT
BOLT UNDER COVER
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Page 433 of 524

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
other qualif ied technician.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.High beam headlights on all models
Low beam headlights on Canadian TSX
U.S. TSX and Canadian TSX Premium
Headlight Aiming L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
430
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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2009 TSX
Page 443 of 524
Remove the three holding clips
with a flat-tip screwdriver.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment should
be done by your dealer or other
qualif ied technician. 1.
2.
If equipped
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
440
HOLDING CLIPS
UNDER COVER
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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2009 TSX
Page 460 of 524

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 vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .458
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .459
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .464
................................
Jump Starting .466
..............
If the Engine Overheats .468
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .470
..........
Charging System Indicator .470
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .471
.........................
Readiness Code .471
...............
Brake System Indicator .472
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .473
..............................................
Fuses .474
..............................
Fuse Locations .478
......................
Emergency Towing .481
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
457
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Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
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 it does not go
out within 10 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).
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
361
419
481 61
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
470
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 vehicle stopped.
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2009 TSX