coolant HONDA PRELUDE 1992 User Guide

Cooling System

2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing
down on it, until it stops. This
relieves any pressure remaining
in the cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
5. Put
the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between
the MAX and MIN marks. Put
the cap back on the reserve tank.

Do no t
add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.

Replacing Coolant

The cooling system should be
completely drained and refilled
with new coolant according to the
time and mileage recommendations in the maintenance schedule. Only
use recommended antifreeze.
Draining the coolant requires
access to the underside of the car.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.

Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

1. Slide the heater temperature control lever to maximum heat.
Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to

the touch.

2. Remove the radiator cap. 3. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain
bolt from the engine block. 4. Remove the reserve tank from
its holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug in the
bottom of the radiator. Apply non-hardening sealant to the
drain bolt threads and reinstall
the bolt in the engine block.
Tighten it securely.

Maintenance

DRAIN
PLUG
DRAIN
BOLT RESERVE TANK

HOLDER
RESERVE

TANK CAP

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

6. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:

With 5-speed transmission:

(US: S, Canada: S)
3.5
(0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp gal)

(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)

3.8
(1.00 US gal, 0.84 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
(US: S, Canada: S)
3.4
(0.90 US gal, 0.75 Imp gal)

(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)
3.7
(0.98 US gal, 0.81 Imp gal)

7. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
8. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top ofthe engine. Tighten it again
when coolant comes out in asteady stream with no bubbles.
9. Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck. Put the cap on the
radiator, only tighten it to the
first stop. Start the engine and
let it run until it warms up (the
radiator cooling fan comes on at
least twice).

Maintenance

FILLER NECK
Fill up to here
BLEEDER
BOLTProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System, Windshield Washers

10.Turn off the engine. Check the
level in the radiator, add coolant
if needed. Install the radiator cap,
tighten it fully.

11.Fill the
reserve tank to the MAX

mark. Install the reserve tank
cap.

Windshield Washers
Chec
k the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad
weather, when you use the washers often, check the level every time
you stop for gas.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the left headlight.
Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the float. It should be up to the top of the neck. If the float is at the
bottom of the neck, the reservoir is
nearly empty.
Fill the reservoir with a good- quality windshield washer fluid.
This increases the cleaning
capability and prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water
solution can damage the windshield
washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance

NOTICE

RESERVE TANK
FLOATProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats

Your car's temperature gauge
should register in the midrange
under most conditions. It may register higher if you are driving
up a long steep hill on a very hot
day. If it illuminates the red
marker at the right end of the
gauge, you should determine the

reason.

Driving with the temperature
gauge's red marker lit can cause serious damage to your engine. Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge illuminating the red marker. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood. In
either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
or Park and set the parking
brake. Turn off the climate control and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators.

2. I f
you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood,
turn off the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray,

leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overload- ing (climbing a long, steep hill on
a hot day with the A/C running,
for example), the engine should
start to cool down almost immedi-
ately. If it does, wait until the
temperature gauge comes down
to the midpoint then continue
driving.

4. If
the temperature gauge
continues to display the red
marker, turn off
the
engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the

hood.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Steam and spray from an over-

heated engine can seriously
scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats

6. Look for any obvious coolant
leaks, such as a split radiator
hose. Everything is still extreme-
ly hot, so use caution. If you find
a leak, it must be repaired before
you continue driving (see
Towing on page 202 ).

7. If
you don't find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
139). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to half-
way between the MIN and MAX
marks.

8. I f
there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have
to add coolant to the radiator. Let the engine cool down until
the temperature gauge registers
below the midpoint, or lower,
before checking the radiator. 9. Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pushing down, to the first stop.
This releases any remaining
pressure in the cooling system.
After the pressure releases, push down on the cap and turn it until
it comes off.

10.Start th e
engine and set the

heater control lever to maximum.
Add coolant to the radiator up to
the base of the filler neck. If you
do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
refilled with the proper mixture as soon as you can.

11.Put the radiato
r cap back on

tightly. Run the engine and
watch the temperature gauge. If
it illuminates the red marker
again, the engine needs repair.
(See Towing on page
202.)

12.If th e
temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the MAX mark. Put the cap back on

tightly.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Specifications

* 1 : US: S, Canada: S

* 2 : US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS *
1 : Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.6 (0.16 US gal,0.13 Imp gal)

* 2 : US: S, Canada: S

* 3 : US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS
* 4 : Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.

Technical Information
page 152ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories
Installation................................. 105

ACCESSORY
(Ignition Key Position).............. 48

Adding
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 144

Brake Fluid............................... 146 Clutch Fluid.............................. 147

Engine Oil...:.............................. 135

Manual Transmission Fluid... 145

Power Steering Fluid.............. 148

Radiator Coolant...................... 139

Windshield Washer fluid ........ 143

Additional Safety Information .... 16
Door Locks.................................. 16

Driving with Pets....................... 17

Seat-back Position..................... 16

Storing Cargo Safely................. 17

Additives, Engine Oil................... 136

Adjustments
Mirrors....................................... .
59

Seats............................................. 51
Steering Wheel..........................

43

Airbag (SRS).................................. 1
0

Air Conditioning............................. 68

Maintenance..............................
157

Usage............................................ 6 8

Ai
r Filter........................................
149
Air Outlet
s
(Vents)......................... 68

Air Pressure, Tires ......................
159

Alcohol an d
Drugs.......................... 24

Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 98

Antifreeze......................................
139

Anti-lock Brake s
(ABS)

Description................................
208

Indicator Light.................. .
34,
118

Operation................................... 117

Anti-theft Steerin
g
Column

Lock.............................................. 48

Appearance Care..........................
175

Ashtray............................................. 65

Audio System................................. .
75

Automatic Speed Control............. 44
Automatic Transmission............ 112

Capacity, Fluid........................
.

206

Checking Fluid Level.............. 144

Shifting
...................................... 113

Shift Leve r
Positions...............
112
Shift Lock Release................... 115
Battery
Charging System Light............. 33

Jump Starting............................ 191

Maintenance.............................. 152

Specifications............................ 207

Before Driving
................................ 97

Belts, Seat ......................................... 4
Body Repair
...................................
181

Brakes

Anti-lock Syste
m (ABS)..........
117
Break-in, Ne
w
Linings.............. 98
Fluid............................................
146
Light, Burned-out................... .

169
Parking......................................... 61

System Light.............................. .
33

Wear Indicators.....................
116
Brakes, AB S

Description...............................
.
208

Operation................................... 117

System Indicator...............
.
34,
118

Braking System...........................
.

116

Break-in, Ne
w
Car ......................... 98

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Brightness Control, Instruments................................. 41
Brights, Headlights........................ 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights......................... 169
Brake Lights.............................

169
Front Parking

Lights ..............
165
Front Side

Marker Lights......
166
Headlights................................. 164
High-mount Brake

Light........
168
License Plate

Lights................
171
Rear Sid
e
Marker Lights........
170

Specifications............................ 207

Turn Signa
l
Lights ..................
167
Bulbs, Halogen.............................
.

164

Cables, Jum
p
Starting With........
191

Capacities Chart...........................
206

Carbo
n Monoxide Hazard ............ 25

Cargo, Loading.............................
106

Cassette Playe r

Care..............................................
. 94

Operation.............................. 81,
91

Catalytic Converter.................... .

213

CAUTION, Explanatio
n
of............ ii
Center Console Compartment..... 64
Certification Label....................... 204

Chains............................................. 163

Change Oil
How to........................................ 137

When to...................................... 129

Changing a Flat Tire................... 185

Changing Engine Coolant........... 140

Charging System Light........ 33, 196
Check Engine Light............. 34, 197

Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................
144

Battery Condition.................... .

152

Brake Flui
d
...............................
146

Clutch Fluid.............................
.

147

Engine Belts.............................
.

158

Engine Oil.................................
.

135

Fuses........................................... 199

Manual Transmissio
n
Fluid...
145
Power Steerin
g
Fluid..............
148
Radiator Coolant.....................
.

139
Checklist, Befor
e
Driving...........
108
Child Safety....................................
.
18
Cigarette Lighter........................... 65
Cleaner, Air...................................
149

Cleaning

Exterior......................................
176

Interior....................................... 179

Seat Belts...................................

179

Vinyl........................................... 179
CLEAN Light................................
.
94

Clock, Setting the.......................... 63

Clutch Fluid..................................
147

CO i n
the Exhaust........................
211
Cold Weather
,
Starting in...........
110

Compact Spare.............................
.

184

Consumer Information................
217

Controls, Instruments
and............ 29

Coolant
Adding........................................ 139

Checking.................................... 139

Proper Solution......................... 139

Temperature Gauge.................. 38

Corrosion Protection................... 180

Crankcase Emission Control
System........................................ 211

Cruise Control Operation ............. 44

Customer Relations Office......... 217ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

DANGER, Explanation of.............. ii

Dashboard........................................ 30

Daytime Running Lights.............. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do........... 191
Defects, Reporting Safety ............ 26
Defogger, Rear Window ............... 56
Defrosting the Windows............... 74
DEXRON ®
II Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................. 144

Dimensions.................................... 206

Dimming the Headlight
s .............. 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........
144

Engine Oil................................. .

135

Directional Signals........................
.
41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ... 202
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
116
Disposal o f
Used Oil.....................
138

Doors

Locking an
d Unlocking ............ 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
DOT Tire Quality Grading......... 161
Downshifting,

5-speed Transmission.............. 111

Driving .......................................... .
107

Economy.................................... 104
In Bad Weather......................... 119
In Foreign Countries................. 99
Economy, Fuel.............................. 104
Emergencies on the Road........... 183 Battery, Jump Starting............ 191
Changing a Flat Tire............... 185
Charging System Light........... 196
Check Engine Light................. 197
Checking the Fuses.................
200
Low Oi l
Pressure Light........... 195
Manually Closing Sunroof...... 198
Overheated Engine.................. 193

Emergency Brake ......................... 61

Emergency Flashers...................... 56
Emission Controls......................... 211
Engine Check Light....................... 34, 197
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 38
Oil Pressure Light............. 33, 195
Oil, What Kind to Use .............
135
Overheating............................... 193

Specifications........................... 206

Ethano l
in Gasoline........................ 98
Evaporative Emission Controls......................................
211
Exhaust Fumes.............................. .
25
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.................................. 8
Exterior, Cleaning the.................
176

Fabric, Cleaning........................... 179

Fan, Interior.................................... 68

Fan, Radiator.................................. 27

Features, Comfort
and Convenience........................ 67

Filling the Gas Tank.................... 100

Filters

Air
............................................... 149

Fuel............................................. 150

Oil ............................................... 137

First Gear, Shifting...................... 111

5-Speed Transmissio n
Checkin
g Fluid Level..............
145

CONTINUED
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