ignition HONDA PRELUDE 1998 Owners Manual

Protecting Children

If a Child Requires Close
Attention
Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires

attention.

Placing a child in the front seat
exposes them to hazards from the
airbag, and paying close attention to
a child distracts the driver from the
important tasks of driving, creating serious safety risks.
If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, we strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front. Additional Safety Precaution

Do not leave children alone in your

vehicle. Leaving children without

adult supervision is illegal in most
states and can be very hazardous.
For example, infants and small
children left in a vehicle on a hot day
can die from heatstroke. And
children left alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set the
vehicle in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others.
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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Seat Belt System Components
Your seat belt system includes lap/ shoulder belts in all four seating

positions.

The system also includes alight on the instrument
panel to remind you and your
passengers to fasten your belts. If
the driver's seat belt is not fastened
before the ignition is turned ON (II),
the light will come on and a beeper
will also sound. The beeper will stop after a few seconds, but the light will
stay on until the driver's seat belt is

fastened.
Lap/Shoulder Belt
This seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder, across yourchest and across your hips. To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is

latched.

To unlock the belt, push the red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar. After exiting the
vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the
way and will not get closed in the
door.

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Additional Information About Your SRS
SRS Components

Your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes:
Two frontal airbags. The driver'sairbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked

"SRS".
Sensors that can detect a severe

frontal collision. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, the airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the
instrument panel to alert you to a
possible problem with the system (see page 45). Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. How Your Airbags Work
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the
airbags.
During a crash, your seat belt helps
restrain your lower body and torso.
Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your headand chest.

Driver and Passenger Safety
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Additional Information About Your SRS

How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works The purpose of the SRSindicator light is to alert
you to a potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that the system is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any other time, you should have your
system checked by your dealer. For

example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON (II). If the light stays on after the

engine starts.
If the light comes on or flashes on

and off while you drive.

If you see any of these indications,
your airbags may not deploy when

you need them. See your Honda
dealer as soon as possible.
SRS Service

Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and
there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have
your vehicle serviced if:

Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must
be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself.
This must be done by a Honda dealer or a knowledgeable body

shop.
The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Take your vehicle to
an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inflate when you need them.
Driver and Passenger Safety

Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags do not inflate when needed.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a potential problem.
SRS
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Instruments and Controls

This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.

Control Locations............................ 50

Indicator Lights................................ 51

Gauges.............................................. 56
Speedometer................................ 56
Tachometer.................................. 56

Odometer...................................... 56

Trip Meter.................................... 56

Fuel Gauge................................... 57
Temperature Gauge.................... 57 Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 58
Controls Near the Steering

Wheel........................................ 59

Headlights.................................... 60
Daytime Running Lights............. 60
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 61
Turn Signals................................. 61
Windshield Wipers...................... 62
Windshield Washers................... 63
Hazard Warning........................... 63

Rear Window Defogger.............. 63
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 64

Steering Wheel Controls ................ 65

Cruise Control.............................. 65
Keys and Locks................................ 68

Keys...............................................68

Learning Key................................ 69
Immobilizer System..................... 69
Ignition Switch............................. 70
Power Door Locks....................... 72
Lockout Prevention..................... 73

Trunk............................................73
Glove Box.....................................74
Seat Adjustments............................. 75 Front Seat Adjustments.............. 75Driver's Seat Height Adjustment............................... 76

Rear Seat Access .........................
76

Head Restraints...........................
77
Seat Heaters..................................... 78
Folding Rear Seat............................ 79
Power Windows............................... 80

Moonroof..........................................82

Mirrors.............................................. 83
Adjusting the Power Mirrors.....

83

Parking Brake..................................
84

Digital Clock..................................... 85
Beverage Holder.............................. 86 Console Compartment.................... 87
Coin Box........................................... 88
Accessory Power Socket................ 88
Ashtrays............................................ 89
Interior Lights.................................. 89 Ceiling Lights............................... 89
Courtesy Lights........................... 90
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Indicator Lights

The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important

information about your vehicle.

Lamp Chec

k

These indicator lights come on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), allowin

g you to see that they are

working:
SRS
Indicator

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Charging System Indicator Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder Light

D4 Lamp

Immobilizer System Indicator
Active Torque Transfer
System

Indicator

If an
indicator does not light during
this test, it cannot alert you if that system

develops a problem. Have the
dealer check your vehicle for
burned-ou

t bulbs or other problems.
* The
U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model

are

noted in the text.
Instruments
and Controls
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAM
P
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL

RESTRAINT

SYSTEM

INDICATOR

DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE

INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT LOW
FUEL

INDICATOR

CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
HIGH

BEAM

INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTRO L

INDICATOR
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Indicator Lights

Seat Belt Reminder Light

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat

belt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.

* The U.S. Type SH instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPENINDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
ACTIVE TORQUE TRANSFER SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
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Indicator Lights

Supplemental Restraint

System Indicator

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, itindicates a problem in the

supplemental restraint system. For

complete information, see page 43.

Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see

page 69).

This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignitionswitch OFF (II). Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 241.

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete

information, see page 240.

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp

See page 242.

Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page 65 for information

on operating the cruise control.
Parking Brake
and Brake

System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engine
is running, or comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete information, see page 243.
Instruments and Controls
S R S

BRAKE

CRUISE

CONTROL
U.S.


Canada
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Indicator Lights

Anti-lock BrakeSystem (ABS)
Indicator
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking ability but no anti-lock. Active Torque Transfer
System (ATTS) Indicator

Type SH only

This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the Active
Torque Transfer System (ATTS). If this happens, take the vehicle to
your dealer to have it checked. With the indicator on, your vehicle willcorner normally, but you will not
have active torque transfer. Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 210). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard Warning switch, both turn signallights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should flash.
Instruments and Controls

ABS

ATTS

U.S.


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Indicator Lights

Trunk-open Indicator

This light comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly.
Door-open Indicator
This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly.
High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 60 forinformation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 60). Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator is located in the fuel gauge. It comes on as a reminderthat you must refuel soon. "Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parkingbrake set. It should go off if you turnon the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any
other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
Instruments and Controls

D
R
L

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