charging HONDA PRELUDE 1992 Owners Manual

Indicator Lights
* The U.S. instrument panel is
shown. Differences for the Canadi-
an model are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT*
BRAKE LAMP
INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT
CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE
SYSTEM LIGHT* ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Indicator Lights

Seat Belt Reminder

Light

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition 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.
Charging System

Light

This light indicates the battery is not being charged. It should come
on when the ignition is ON (II), and
go out after the engine starts. If
this light comes on while driving,
the battery is not being charged.
Turn to page 196 for information
about what to do.

Low Oil Pressure

Light

This indicator lights when the oil
pressure in the engine drops low
enough to cause damage. It should
light when the ignition is ON (II)
and go out after the engine starts.
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, there is a possi-
bility of serious engine damage. Safely pull to the side of the road
and shut off the engine as soon as
you can. Turn to page 195 for in-
structions and precautions on
checking the engine.
Canada

Parking Brake
and Brake
System Light

This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you
have set the parking brake.
Driving with the parking brake
set can damage the brakes and
tires, and cause the Anti-lock
brake system to turn off (see
page 118).

2. I t
can indicate the brake fluid

level is low if it remains lit after
you release the parking brake or
comes on while driving. This is
normally due to worn brake pads.
Have your dealer check the
braking system for worn pads o r
flui d

leaks.

Instruments an d
Controls

US

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Battery

Emergency Procedures
Eyes — Flush with water from a
cup or other container for at least
fifteen minutes. (Water under
pressure can damage the eye.)
Immediately call a physician or 911.
Skin — Remove contaminated
clothing. Flush the skin with large quantities of water. Call a physi-
cian immediately.
Swallowing — Drink water or
milk. Call your local Poison Control
Center or a physician immediately. Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator
window on the battery: Blue — Good condition
Red — Add distilled water
White — Charging necessary Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up
and turn brown. When this stops,
wash it off with plain water. Dry off the battery with a cloth or paper
towel. Coat the terminals with
grease to help prevent future

corrosion.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

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Battery

If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from the terminals. Always disconnect
the negative ( — ) cable first and
reconnect it last. Clean the battery
terminals with a terminal cleaning
tool or wire brush. Reconnect and
tighten the cables, then coat the terminals with grease.
If you need to connect the battery
to a charger, disconnect both cables
to prevent damage to the car's
electrical system.
If your car's battery is discon-
nected or goes dead, the audio
system will disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio you will
see "Code" in the frequency display.
Use the Preset buttons to enter the
five-digit code (see page 95 ). Charging the battery with the
cables connected can seriously
damage your car's electronic
controls. Detach the battery cables
before connecting the battery to a
charger.

Maintenance
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Air Conditioner

Optional for S model

Your car's air conditioner is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should
be done by a qualified technician. There are a couple of things you
can do to make sure the air condi-
tioner works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface.
These block the air flow and
reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a hose or a soft
brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins
bend easily. Only use a low- pressure spray or soft-bristle brush

to clean them.

Run the air conditioner at least
once a week during the cold
weather months. Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving
at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature.
This circulates the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioner does not get
as cold as before, it is probably
because some of the refrigerant has
leaked from the system. Have your dealer check the system for leaks
and recharge the system with
Refrigerant 12 (R-12).
Charging quantity: 750 — 800 g (26.5 — 28.3 oz)
Whenever you have the air condi-
tioning system serviced, make sure
the service facility uses a refrige-
rant recycling system. This system captures the refrigerant for reuse.
Releasing refrigerant into the at-
mosphere can damage the environ-
ment.

Maintenance

AIR CONDITIONING

CONDENSER
NOTICE
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Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and
what to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the
side of the road, you may be able to
get going again. If not, you will also
find instructions on getting your
car towed. Compact Spare Tire..................... 184
Changing a Flat Tire................... 185
If Your Engine Won't Start........ 190 Nothing Happens...................... 190
The Starter OperatesNormally................................ 191
Jump Starting................................ 191 If Your Engine Overheats.......... 193
Low Oil Pressure.......................... 195
Charging System Indication ...... 196
Check Engine Light..................... 197
Closing the Sunroof ..................... 198
Fuses............................................... 199 Checking and Replacing.........
200

Towing...........................................
202

Taking Car e
of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Charging System Indication

The charging system light should
go out after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly with the engine
running, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try
not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the
power windows. Keep the engine
running and take extra care not to
stall it. Starting the engine will discharge the battery rapidly. By eliminating as much of the

electrical load as possible, you can

drive several miles before the
battery is too discharged to keep
the engine running. Drive to a
service station or garage where you
can get technical assistance.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
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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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