AL'S TL type S

My father is currently driving my 2002 acura tl type s car, while im out of time, and the maintenance light came on... Is this different from the check engine light and what could it be? Needs oil change or something? thanks guys

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

oil change my friend. Get Mobile 1 synthetic and K&N oil filter, while ur at it, seafoam it you'll love the results.

AL'S TL type S

Thanks for the help... Seafoam?? sorry im new to all this

01tl4tl

look in the diy section for seafoam- its a super cleaner thats been around since the 40s and is used in many of those fuel system cleaing machines for 100-150 bucks at shops--we do it for 20-30 bucks
It can be used everywhere in the engine-gas and oil- and much more

Since you are out of town- have dad change the oil and reset the light
Its based solely on miles since last reset- has nothing to do with condition of the oil
on gen2 cars- gen3 is different setup than we have

to reset the light- stick left hand thru steering wheel and hold both trip reset buttones IN
then with right hand turn key to ON- not start just ON, watch as light blinks a number of times then stops
Done
In 6000 miles it will begin blinking at startup- getting more insistant as 7500 miles approach

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

Seafoam, if you click 2G TL and go to DIY section you'll see what I mean. Just put some of it into your TL I think about 1/2 a can int your old oil, drive for about 30mins or so (sometimes hitting vtec) and while the car is still warm come and change oil+filter, oil should be a lot more chunky or whatever this time around as the seafoam has cleaned all the gunk out.

Autozone sells it for $9.99 a can I think.

fsttyms1

It only means oil change IF you reset it at every oil change and follow the manufacturers recommendation of 7500 miles



As for the Maint required light its in your manual on how to reset it as well.
It means nothing more than its time for a oil change (when properly reset) Its designed to come on full at 7500 miles.
With the car off,Press and hold the Trip and Reset light with 1 hand, while holding them BOTH in turn your key
to the RUN position (not start but run) and continue to hold them in till they turn off. It takes about 10 seconds.
If you turn the key and then press teh buttons in you will change the Outside Temp settings

xtremex626

iTrader: (1)

My maintenance light is starting to blink everytime I go from ON to cranking the car, and after it's cranked it still blinks (then goes off after). Does this mean I need an oil change as well? I currently put 1.5k miles on the car since the last oil change so I should be good for another 1.5k?

fsttyms1

The light was NEVER reset at your last oil change. You HAVE to reset it every time for it to be a reminder. It doesnt know when your oil is bad. Its nothing more than a Dummy light. Its preset for 7500 mile oil change intervals, there is no way of changing that, nor will it come on for any other reason.

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

When it does that it means to plan for an oil change soon to come. Since you did it before the light ever came on just reset it as stated above and keep track of your oil changes.

AL'S TL type S

Thank you!!! you guys are very helpful, I will have him change oil and reset the light, now when would be the next time I can do the seafoam since its just based on mileage from the last reset...

01tl4tl

seafoam doesnt make the crud CHUNKY!!!!

It `liquifies` it so the oil filter can catch it and the rest is in suspension to be drained out with the old oil
If you think the engine is really dirty or to be extra safe- install a new filter- then foam and drive up to 100 miles--then change oil and filter with engine warm from driving at least 10-15 minutes

I would be very concerned about chunks in the oil anytime!!

01tl4tl

foam the oil right before its next oil change

Do the vac port and gas tank anytime- has no relation to oil change interval

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

Oh my bad, I kind of just thought that would be like that with all the nasty ass stuff coming off. But yeah I r newb, so don't listen to most of my ramble, 01tl is boss

fobstylez

iTrader: (3)

lol my maintenance light has been on for the longest time, I was just lazy to look up how to reset it. Its not a check engine so no worries, but thanks to this tread, I reset it. So nice to not have any lights on, on your dash.

Wish I Had A TL

That's ridiculous.

fsttyms1

I agree.

kenchau

LOL. ME TOO actually. Happened to stumble upon this one and voila - now I'm going to reset it the next time I drive. Personally, I don't think it's too much trouble for the damn Acura dealerships to reset it when you bring your car in for an oil change.

When I tried it the one time, I was doing the temperature thing as mentioned above. So my temperature reading might not be properly calibrated at the moment either - not that I personally find car temperature displays useful for anything really.

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

People should at least find out WHY they have a maintenance light before blindly resetting it...