HONDA PRELUDE 2000 Owner's Manual (in English)

Reportin
g Safet y Defect s (U.S . Vehicles )

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, youshould immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying American Honda MotorCo., Inc. If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of

Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtainother information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s

Authorize
d Manual s

Purchasin g Factor y Authorize d Manual s
(U.S . only )
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm
Incorporated, either by filling out the attached form or,
for credit card holders, calling the toll-free phone number on the form. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356. Valid only for sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Honda dealer.

By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can

pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.

61S300 3

61S3003E L

61S303 0
31S3063 0

Authorize
d Manual s

Service Manual :
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components.It is written for the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to under-

stand.

Electrica l Troubleshootin g Manual :
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for eachelectrical circuit in your vehicle.
Bod y Repai r Manual :
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.
P.O. BOX 07280 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207 1 -800-782-4356
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

Inde
x

Accessories and Modifications.... 133
Accessories................................. 133

Additional Safety Precautions.. 134Modifications............................. 134
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 73

Accessory Power Socket................ 93
Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS)
Indicator............................... 56, 157
Operation.................................... 157

Adding
Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 191
Brake Fluid................................. 193
Clutch Fluid................................ 194

Engine Coolant........................... 185

Engine Oil................................... 181

Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192
Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 190
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42

Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About

Your SRS...................................45

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

How Your Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 182
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 213

Head Restraints........................... 82

Mirrors..........................................
88

Seats.............................................. 80

Steering Wheel............................ 66

Airba
g (SRS).................................... 45

Air Cleaner Element...................... 195

Air Conditioning............................... 98
Maintenance............................... 202

Usage............................................. 98

Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 100
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 205 High Speed Driving................... 206
Normal Driving.......................... 206 Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 268
Antifreeze....................................... 185

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

Indicator Light.................... 56, 156Operation....................................

15 4

Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock...............................................

73

Appearance Care...........................
227

Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 94
Audio System.................................

106

Automatic Speed Control................ 6
7

Automatic Transmission............... 144 Capacity, Fluid...........................
264
Checking Fluid Level................

191

Sequential SportShift Mode..... 147
Shifting........................................
145
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145

Shift Lock Release..................... 151

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 249
Jump Starting............................. 244 Maintenance............................... 198
Specifications............................. 265
Before Driving............................... 125
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 91
Body Repair.................................... 233

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 154
Break-in, New Linings .............. 126

Fluid............................................ 193

Light, Burned-out....................... 219

Parking..........................................89

System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 153
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 154
System Indicator.................. 56, 156
Braking System.............................. 153
Break-in, New Car......................... 126
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 219
Brake Lights............................... 219
Ceiling Lights............................. 223
Courtesy Lights......................... 223
Front Parking Lights................. 216
Front Side Marker Lights......... 217
Headlights.................................. 214
High-mount Brake Light.......... 221
License Plate Light.................... 222
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 219
Specifications............................. 265
Trunk Light................................ 224
Turn Signal Lights..................... 218
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 214

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 244

Capacities Chart............................. 264

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Cargo, Loading............................... 135

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 122

Operation.................................... 119
CAUTION, Explanation of ............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 114
CD Player........................................ 112
Certification Label......................... 262
Chains............................................. 210
Change Oil How to......................................... 183
When to....................................... 172
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 237
Changing Engine Coolant............. 187
Charging System Indicator .... 55, 249
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 191
Battery Condition...................... 198
Brake Fluid................................. 193 Clutch Fluid................................ 194
Drive Belts.................................. 204
Engine Coolant........................... 131

Engine Oil................................... 130

Fuses...........................................254
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192

Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Checklist, Before Driving............. 140

Child Safety...................................... 21

Cleaner, Air.................................... 195

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x

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 229
Carpeting.................................... 230
Exterior....................................... 228
Fabric.......................................... 230
Interior........................................ 230
Seat Belts.................................... 23
1

Vinyl............................................ 230
Windows..................................... 231

Clock, Settin
g the ............................ 90

Clutch Fluid.................................... 194
Coin Box........................................... 93
CO in the Exhaust......................... 270
Cold Weather, Starting in.............

141

Compact Spare............................... 236
Consumer Information*................
274
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding......................................... 185

Checking.....................................

131

Proper Solution.......................... 185
Replacing.................................... 187
Temperatur
e Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 232
Courtesy Lights............................... 95 Crankcase Emission Control

System.........................................270

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 274
DANGER, Explanation of.................

ii

Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................
. 62
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 244
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 278 Defog and Defrost......................... 104
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 19

1

Dimensions..................................... 264
Dimming the Headlights................
62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 19

1

Engine Oil...................................130
Directional Signals...........................
63
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 258
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 153
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 184 Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 7

4

Power Door Locks....................... 7
4

DOT Tire Quality Grading...........
266

Downshifting, 5-speed Manual
Transmission.............................. 14 2

Driv
e Belts...................................... 204

Driving............................................ 139

Economy..................................... 132
In Bad Weather.......................... 158
In Foreign Countries................. 269

Economy, Fuel............................... 132

Emergencies on the Road............. 235 Batteiy, Jump Starting.............. 244
Brake System Indicator............ 251Changing a Flat Tire................. 237
Charging System Indicator ...... 249
Checking the Fuses................... 254
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 248
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 250
Manually Closing Moonroof .... 252

Overheated Engine................... 246

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Emergency Brake............................ 89
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 258
Emission Controls......................... 270
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 59

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 250
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 248
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 181
Overheating................................ 246

Specifications............................. 264

Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 268
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 270
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior. Cleaning the................... 228
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 230

Fan, Interior...................................... 98

Features, Comfort and
Convenience.................................
97

Filling the Fuel Tank.....................
127

Filters
Air................................................ 195

Oil................................................ 183

First
Gear, Shifting........................ 150
5-speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 192

Shifting the................................. 142

Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65

Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 237

Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 191
Brake........................................... 193

Clutch.......................................... 194

Manual Transmission............... 192

Power Steering........................... 194

Windshield Washer................... 190
FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 110

Folding Rear Seat............................ 84
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 269
Four-way Flashers........................... 65

Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 258

Fuel.................................................. 126
Fill Door and Cap....................... 127
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 126

Oxygenated................................ 268

Reserve Indicator......................... 57

Tank, Filling the......................... 127

Fuses, Checking the...................... 254
Gas Mileage. Improving................ 132

Gasohol........................................... 268

Gasoline.......................................... 126
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57

Gauge............................................ 59

Octane Requirement................. 126

Tank, Filling the......................... 127

Gas Station Procedures................. 127

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 59

Fuel................................................ 59

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 144
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 231
Glove Box......................................... 79

Inde
x

Halogen Headlight Bulbs..............
214

Hazard Warning Flashers...............
65

Headlights Aiming......................................... 213
Daytime Running Lights............
. 62
High Beam Indicator................... 62 High Beams, Turning on............ 62
Low Beams, Turning on............. 62
Reminder Chime.......................... 62

Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 214

Turning on....................................

62

Head Restraints............................... 82
Heating and
Cooling........................ 98
High Altitude, Stalling at.............. 141
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 62
High-mount Brake Light............... 221

Hood Latch..................................... 196

Hood, Opening the........................ 128

Horn................................................... 61

Hot Coolant, Warning About........ 185
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 194

Hydroplaning.................................. 159
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 262
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 258
Ignition
Keys............................................... 70
Switch............................................ 72
Timing Control System............. 27

1

Immobilizer System......................... 7
1

Indicator Lights. Instrument
Panel.............................................. 53

Infan
t Restraint................................ 29

Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 205 High Speed Driving................... 266Normal Driving.......................... 206

Inside Mirror.................................... 88

Inspection, Tire.............................. 206
Instrument Panel............................. 52
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 63
Interior Cleaning............................ 230

Interior Lights.................................. 94

Introduction.........................................

i

Jacking up the Car......................... 23
9
Jack, Tire........................................ 238

Jump Starting................................. 244

Keys................................................... 70
Label, Certification........................ 262
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 63
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 42
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 49

Learning Key.................................... 7

1

Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 214

Indicator........................................ 5
3

Parking.......................................... 62

Turn Signal................................... 63

Loading Cargo................................ 135

LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 73
CONTINUED

Index
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 73
Fuel Fill Door............................. 127Glove Box..................................... 79
Power Door.................................. 74
Trunk............................................ 78
Low Coolant Level......................... 131
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 142
Low Fuel Indicator .......................... 57
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 55, 248
Lubricant Specifications
Chart........................................... 264
Luggage.......................................... 135
Maintenance................................... 167
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 179
Record.................................. 177-178
Required Indicator....................... 60
Schedule.............................. 170-176
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .. 55, 250
Manual Transmission.................... 142
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 192
Maximum Allowable Speeds................................. 143, 150
Meters, Gauges................................ 58
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 268
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 88
Moonroof.......................................... 87
Closing Manually....................... 252
Operation...................................... 87
Neutral Gear Position.................... 147
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 126
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 143
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 262
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 126
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 58
Oil Change, How to ......................... 183
Change, When to....................... 172
Checking Engine....................... 130
Pressure Indicator............... 55, 248
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 182
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 73
Opening the Hood ......................... 128
Opening the Trunk.......................... 78
Operation in Foreign Countries... 269
Outside Mirrors............................... 88
Overheating, Engine..................... 246
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 146
Parking............................................ 152
Parking Brake.................................. 89 Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 272
PGM-FI System.............................. 271
Polishing and Waxing................... 229
Power
Door Locks................................... 74
Mirrors.......................................... 88
Steering....................................... 194
Windows....................................... 85
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19

Inde
x

Protecting Adults............................. 12 Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19
Protecting Children......................... 21 Protecting Infants........................ 29
Protecting Larger Children........ 37
Protecting Small Children.......... 33
Using Child Seats with Tethers...................................... 40
Radiator Overheating.................... 246 Radio/CD Sound System.............. 106
Rear End Towing........................... 258
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 219

Rear Seat Access ............................. 81

Rear Seat, Folding........................... 84

Rear View Mirror............................. 88
Rear Window Defogger.................. 65
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 80
Recommended Shift Speeds ........ 143
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 75
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 195
Coolant........................................ 187

Engine Oil and Filter................. 183

Fuses...........................................254

Light Bulbs................................. 214

Schedule..................................... 170

Spark Plugs................................. 196

Timing Belt................................. 204

Tires............................................ 208
Wiper Blades.............................. 200

Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash.............................................44

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 131

Restraint, Child................................ 21

Reverse Gear Position................... 146

Rotation, Tire................................. 208

Safety Belts......................................... 8
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................ 9Door Locks................................... 1
1

Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................
8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10

Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................

ii

Seat Belt, Additional Information..
4
2
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Seat Belts............................................8
Cleaning...................................... 231
Maintenance................................. 44
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 54
System Components.................... 42
Tether Attachment Points.......... 40
Use During Pregnancy................ 19
Seat Heaters..................................... 83
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 80
Sequential SportShift Mode ......... 147
Serial Number................................ 262
Service Intervals............................ 172

Service Manual* ............................ 279
Service Station Procedures .......... 127
Setting the Clock............................. 90
Shifting The Automatic Transmission .. 144
The 5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 142
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 144
CONTINUED