Understanding the Acura Maintenance Minder System
The Acura Maintenance Minder is a tool that helps you keep your car in top condition. It's also known as the Maintenance Alert System and comes standard on all Acura models. The Acura Maintenance Minder works by monitoring how many miles you've driven, when your last oil change was performed, whether or not you've turned off "Low Tire Pressure" notifications, etc. As these events occur, it uses them to calculate when it's time for your next scheduled maintenance visit.
How Does the Acura Maintenance Minder Work?
The Acura Maintenance Minder will show warning lights known as Acura Service Codes. These service codes range from reminding you that your car is due for an oil change to you're due for a brake inspection to something more serious. Acura service codes are typically not serious issues. However, it's always best to bring your vehicle in for a look by our trained technicians at Davis Acura in Philadelphia.
As you use your Acura vehicle, your dashboard will also display the percentage of synthetic oil in your engine as a percentage, starting at 100% when the oil is fresh. The Maintenance Minder System will alert you before it reaches 0%, which is never recommended and can result in catastrophic engine failure. That's why you'll receive alerts well before this point, so your car's engine always has the optimal level of synthetic motor oil.
Here's a chart that explains what each oil life percentage means:
| Oil Life Percentage | Message Displayed | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| 15% | Service Due Soon | Oil change service is due soon |
| 5% | Service Due Now | Oil change service is due now |
| 0% | Service Past Due | Service is overdue: Take your Acura for an oil change now |
The Acura Maintenance Minder also advises you to change your transmission fluid and coolant on a regular basis. Transmission fluid lubricates the internal parts of your car's transmission so that they can move smoothly against each other when needed.
When this fluid breaks down or evaporates from normal use, it can cause damage to the transmission, which will require expensive repairs. The same is true for coolant. If you don't change it out regularly, it may begin to leak into places where it shouldn't be and cause problems like overheating.
Another thing that the Acura Maintenance Minder focuses on is inspections. It's important to keep your car safe and reliable through regular inspections at specified intervals. The schedule lists what should be checked during each inspection, how often each one should be done, and how long it takes to complete. This way, you can keep track of what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how long it will take.
What Are the Acura Service Codes, and What Do They Mean?
The Acura Service Codes will show up on your dashboard as a letter (Main Code) and sometimes a number (Sub Code) listed on the information screen.
To know what the codes mean, refer to the table below:
| Main Codes | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Replace engine oil |
| B | Applies to one or more of the following: Replace engine oil and filter, inspect brakes, check steering components, inspect suspension components, check driveshaft boots, check fluid levels, inspect exhaust system, inspect brake hoses or lines |
| Sub Codes | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rotate Tires |
| 2 | Replace air cleaner element, replace dust and pollen filter, inspect drive belt |
| 3 | Replace transmission fluid |
| 4 | Replace spark plugs, replace timing belt, inspect water pump and valve clearance |
| 5 | Replace engine coolant |
| 6 | Replace rear differential fluid (if equipped) |
When your dashboard shows any of these codes, make sure you act immediately and book a service appointment at Davis Acura in Philadelphia to avoid any expensive repairs and keep your car in optimum condition.
Benefits of Following the Acura Maintenance Minder Schedule
The Acura Maintenance Minder is your friend. It's there to remind you of when you need to get your engine oil changed, when it's time for a new set of tires, and when it's time to schedule a tune-up. It can also alert you if an issue with any of your car's systems needs attention.
But what does following the Acura Maintenance Minder Schedule do for you? Here are some benefits:
- It helps keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.
- It saves money by preventing unexpected repairs that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- It extends the life of your car by ensuring all its systems are working properly and at optimal levels.
- It keeps you safe on the road because it ensures that your vehicle is operating as it should (and not getting worse).
Following the Acura Maintenance Minder Schedule also means that if something does go wrong with your car, it will be covered by warranty or an extended warranty plan because it was fixed on time according to what was recommended by the system.
It's also a great way to learn more about your car, which can be fun and interesting. You'll learn how everything works together, what parts are important, and what happens when they break down.
The more you know about your car and how to care for it properly, the less likely you are to have problems — and the less expensive those problems will be if they do happen. The money you spend on regular maintenance will pay off over time by helping keep your vehicle running smoothly and avoiding expensive repairs down the road.
Davis Acura — Your Acura Maintenance Service Expert
Acura maintenance is an important part of vehicle ownership. With this information, you can keep your Acura running smoothly and avoid expensive repairs by staying on top of recommended service intervals.
If you're looking for a reliable and affordable place to get your Acura serviced, look no further than Davis Acura in Philadelphia. We've been providing quality auto service in the Langhorne, Pennsylvania, area for over 30 years, and we're proud to be one of the most trusted names in the business.
We offer a variety of services, from routine maintenance to accident repairs and everything in between. We'll be happy to help you with whatever your car needs are — whether it's oil changes or transmission repair, we've got you covered!
If you have any questions about your Acura or need service done on it, please get in touch with us at Davis Acura!