cruise control HONDA PRELUDE 1998 Owners Manual

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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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The controls under the left air vent are for the moonroof, cruise controland instrument panel brightness.
The switches for the hazard warning lights and rear window defogger are
to the right of the steering column.
The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.

Instruments and Controls

CRUISE
CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
WINDSHIELD

WIPERS/WASHERS

REAR WINDOW

DEFOGGER

HORN

BUTTONS

TILT

ADJUSTMENT

HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS

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Steering Wheel Controls
Cruise Control
Cruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for conditions such as city driving,
winding roads, slippery roads, heavy rain, or bad weather. You should
have full control of the vehicle under
those conditions.
The cruise control, as it operates,
moves the accelerator pedal. You can
damage your vehicle's accelerator
mechanism by resting your foot under
the pedal and blocking the movement.

Using the Cruise Control

1. Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch to the left of the steering
column. The indicator in the

switch will light.

2. Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open highways in good weather.
NOTICE

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Steering Wheel Controls

3. Press and hold the SET/decel button on the steering wheel until
the CRUISE CONTROL light on
the instrument panel comes on.
This shows the system is now
activated.

The cruise control may not hold the set speed when you are going
up and down hills.
When climing a steep hill, the automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed. Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in either of two ways: Press and hold the RESUME/
accel button. The vehicle will
accelerate slowly. When you reach
the desired cruising speed, release
the button. Push on the accelerator pedal. Ac-
celerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/decel

button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in either of two ways: Press and hold the SET/decel
button. The vehicle will decelerate. Release the button when you
reach the desired speed.
Tap the brake or clutch pedal lightly with your foot. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out.
When the vehicle slows to the desired speed, press the SET/
decel button. The vehicle will then
maintain the desired speed.
Instruments and Controls RESUME/

accel

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Steering Wheel Controls

Even with the cruise control turned on, you can still use the accelerator

pedal to speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot

off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle

will return to the set cruising speed.

Resting your foot on the brake or
clutch pedal will cause the cruise

control to cancel.
Cancelling the Cruise Control

You can cancel the cruise control in
any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal. Press the SET/decel and RE-
SUME/accel buttons at the same

time.
Press the Cruise Control Master

Switch.

When you tap the brake or clutch pedal, or press the SET and RE-SUME buttons at the same time, the
CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out and the
vehicle will begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the
normal way.
If you use the brake or clutch pedal
to cancel cruise control, the system
remembers the previously-set cruising speed. To return to that speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and press the RESUME/
accel button until the CRUISE CON-
TROL light comes on. The vehicle will accelerate to the same cruisingspeed as before.
If you cancel cruise control by
pressing the SET and RESUME
buttons at the same time, the previously-set cruising speed iserased. To use the cruise control,
accelerate to the desired cruisingspeed and press the SET/decel

button.

Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completelyoff and erases the previous cruising
speed from memory. To use the
system again, refer to Using the

Cruise Control.

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Fuel Economy

The condition of your vehicle and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition Always maintain your vehicle accord- ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner MaintenanceChecks (see page 171). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your fuel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try tocombine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes ituse more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature ismoderate.

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Driving in Bad Weather

Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions. Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli- cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibility — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 98).

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