HONDA PRELUDE 1990 Owners Manual

1990 Prelude Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.

For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Features & Safety ........................................................................\
........................................................ 2
What you should know before driving your car.
Starting & Driving........................................................................\
.....................................................
55
What gas to use, how to change gears, etc.
Maintenance
........................................................................\
............................................................... 76
The Required Maintenance Schedule and some items you can service.
Emergency Service
........................................................................\
................................................ 116
Changing a flat, jump starting, towing.
Specifications
........................................................................\
......................................................... 125
Dimensions, weights and capacities.
Consumer Information
........................................................................\
.......................................... 127
Reporting Safety Detects, warranty service, vehicle identification numbe\
rs, etc.
Index ........................................................................\
....................... .................................................
137
Gas Station Information
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
ProCarManuals.com

Introduction

This manual contains important information about the safe
operation and maintenance of your car.
We urge you to read it carefully, become familiar with the controls it
describes, and follow its recommendations, to help make your
driving trouble-free and enjoyable.
Statements or labels on the product preceded by the following
words are of special significance:
indicates severe personal injury or death will result if
instructions are not followed.indicates a strong possibility of severe personal
injury or death if instructions are not followed.means hazards or unsafe practices which could
cause minor personal injury or product or property

damage.

NOTE: gives helpful information.
Break-in Period During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of driving, avoid full throttle
starts and cruising for extended periods at a constant speed.

NOTE:
This break-in procedure also applies to exchanged or overhauled

engines.

During and after the break-in period, drive the car at moderate
speeds until the engine is fully warmed up.
During the first 200 miles (300 km), try to avoid severe braking.
Brake misuse during this period will reduce future braking efficiency.
Remember, your Honda Automobile Dealer knows your car best,
and should be consulted for service assistance and advice.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Keys and Locks
VALET KEY

MASTER KEY

Keys

Your car is supplied with a master
key that fits the ignition and all locks,
and a valet key that fits the ignition
and doors but not the trunk, rear
seat trunk access or glove box.
The valet key is provided for times
when you must leave the key with a parking attendant or repair person,
but still want to keep valuables
safely locked-up.
Write down the numbers stamped on both keys and keep the information in your wallet or purse in case you ever need to have
duplicates made. Both the master and valet keys are double-edged, so you can insert them in the locks with either side up.

Door Locks

You can lock the doors by pushing the tabs forward.
The doors must be unlocked before you can open them. The passenger door can be locked when open, and will stay locked when
you close it; the driver's door cannot be locked when open unless
you hold the door handle open. Both doors can be locked and
unlocked from the outside with the key.
(cont'd)

Lock

Unlock
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Keys and Locks (cont'd)

Power Door Locks (Si with 4WS)

Both doors can be locked or unlocked simultaneously from the
inside using the master door lock switch.
In addition, the passenger door will lock automatically when the lock
tab on the driver's door is pushed forward or the driver's door is locked with the key.
MASTER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH

Trunk Lid
The trunk lid can be opened by pulling up the lever at the outside of the driver's seat.
To open the trunk lid from outside, put the master key in the lock and turn clockwise. The trunk lid opener lever is lockable with the
master key.
Keep the trunk lid closed while driving, to keep poisonous
carbon monoxide exhaust fumes out of the interior; prolongedexposure can cause unconsciousness that may lead to death. Weight limits shown on the label on the edge of the driver's
door must be observed. The total weight of passengers and
cargo must not exceed the total weight limit on the label.
Unlock
OPEN

MASTER KEY
MASTER

KEY
Pull up
Lock

TRUNK LID
Lock
Unlock

OPENER LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Seats

Front Seat

Adjust the seat position by pulling up on the adjustment lever under
the front edge of the seat cushion, and sliding the seat to the
desired position. Then release the lever and make sure the seat is locked in position by moving it back and forth.

ADJUSTMENT
LEVER
RELEASE LEVER
The angle of the seat-back can be changed by pulling up on the lever
at the outside edge of the seat and leaning forward or back. Release
the lever and let the seat lock into place when it reaches the desired
angle.
Seat belts are most effective when the driver and passenger are
sitting up straight and well back in each seat.
Minor Adjustment of Driver's Seat-back Angle (Si)

For minor
adjustment of the driver's
seat-back angle, move the lever at
the lower left side of the seat-back forward or backward.

Do not adjust the driver's seat while the car is moving; the seat

could move suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control.
To reduce the risk of sliding under the seat belts in a collision,

the seat-backs should be reclined no more than is necessary for

comfort.

(cont'd)

LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Seats (cont'd)
To Get In/Out of Rear Seat
For easier access to or from the rear seat, pull up the angle
adjustment lever on each front seat or the lever on the inside edge
of the passenger seat-back to swing the seat-back forward.
Seat-back Angle Memory (Si)
The driver's seat is equipped witha "memory" button to allow the

seat-back to
return to its

previously set angle.

Push the "memory" button

before pulling the angle adjust-
ment lever up for rear seat access.
MEMORY BUTTON
Store any luggage or cargo in the trunk. If you are carrying more items than will fit in the trunk, use the floor space between the
front and rear seats.
Do not store any items on the shelf behind the rear seat; they
may become dangerous projectiles in a collision.
Weight limits shown on the label on the edge of the driver's door must be observed. The total weight of passengers and
cargo must not exceed the total weight limit on the label. Pull upProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Driver's Lumbar Support (Si)
The tower back support can be adjusted by moving the
lever on the inner side of the
seat-back to give more or
less support.
Driver's Side Supports (Si)
Seat-back side support can be
adjusted wider or narrower by
turning the knob on the inner side of the seat-back.
Do not try to adjust lumbar or side supports while driving. Make
the adjustment while sitting in your normal driving position before driving away.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Seats (cont'd)
Head Restraints
The head restraints are designed to help reduce injuries due to whiplash. They are located at the top of each front seat-back and
have several height positions. They can be adjusted by pulling up to
the recommended position. To lower them, slide the button next to
the restraint's height bar, while pushing the restraint down.
Adjust so the top of the restraint is approximately level with the
tops of your ears. That relative position may reduce injury due to whiplash in an accident.If a head restraint must be removed (for cleaning, fabric repair, etc.)pull the restraint up to its highest position, then slide the button
while pulling the restraint out.
To reinstall, reverse the above procedure.

Slide
Head Restraint Angle (Si)

The angle
of the head restraint
can be adjusted by pulling it
forward or pushing it back.
Do not drive the car with head restraints removed.Do not try to adjust head restraints while driving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Trunk Access from Rear Seat
The rear seat-back can be opened by turning the lock on the rear
shelf with the master key and pulling down with the strap at the top
of the seat-back. This allows passenger access to the trunk and makes it possible to carry long objects inside the car.
The rear seat-back can also be released from inside the trunk by

pulling the release.

When closing the rear seat trunk access, push the seat-back firmly into place, then pull on the strap to make sure it is secure.
Passengers or pets must not sit on the folded portion of the rear
seat. Make sure any luggage or cargo within the trunk, or extending
through the rear seat trunk access is secured. Make sure the seat-back latches engage securely when the
seat-back is returned to its normal position.

RELEASE

MASTER KEY STRAPProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Seat Belts

Your Honda is provided with seat belts to minimize the chance ofinjury to yourself and your passengers in a sudden stop or accident.
For precautions on using seat belts for children, babies and pregnantwomen, see pages 14 through 16.
Seat belts are most effective when the driver and passengers are
sitting up straight and well back in the seat.
In the event of a collision, occupants not wearing seat belts could
be seriously or fatally injured. Make sure you and all your passengers ALWAYS put on the seat belts before driving away.
CAUTION:
Be careful the seat belts are not damaged by catching or
entangling in the door or seat mechanism.
Wearing the Front Seat Belts The automatic ("passive") lap/shoulder belt system with emergency locking retractors are designed to lock only during a sudden stop or
impact. Otherwise, they allow you some freedom of movement in
the seat.
NOTE:
The motion-sensing lock mechanisms for the front belts are located in the doors, therefore, if you open the door too quickly, the belt
may lock and the door cannot be opened further. If this happens,
close the door and open it again more slowly.
1. Enter the car and close the door completely. If the door is not closed completely, the belt will not function properly, the warning
light on the instrument panel will come on and the beeper will
sound when the ignition switch is in the ON position. See page

13
Never drive the car with the doors ajar. The doors must be closed
completely for the front seat belts to function properly.
2. Move the seat a comfortable distance from the steering wheel, sit as straight up as possible and well back in the seat.
3. Position the belt across your lap, not your abdomen, as low on your hips as possible. Be sure the belt is not twisted.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s