automatic transmission HONDA PRELUDE 1990 User Guide

Fluid Locations
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONFLUID DIPSTICK
POWER STEERING
FLUID RESERVOIR
ANTI LOCK BRAKE
FLUID RESERVOIR (Si with ALB) ENGINE OIL
FILLER CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
RESERVOIR (Manual Transmission Only)
RADIATOR

RESERVE

TANK CAP
RADIATOR
CAP ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR BRAKE FLUID
RESERVOIRProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Transmission Oil/Fluid Check
Transmission oil/fluid must be checked with the engine off and the
car on level ground.
If the engine has been running, some engine components may
be hot enough to burn you. Keep hands away from the radiator fan. The fan may start
automatically without warning and run for up to 15 minutes,
even after the engine is turned off.

CAUTION:

If the oil/fluid level is low, check for possible leaks before adding
oil. Do not overfill.
Since the transmission and differential are in the same housing, you
are actually checking both oil/fluid levels in one procedure. Change
transmission oil/fluid according to the Maintenance Schedule on
page 78 .

5-Speed

Remove the oil filler bolt (beside the right axle). Feel inside the boh
hole with your finger. If the oil is up to the bottom edge of the hole,
the oil level is correct. If it is not, slowly add oil until it runs out of
the hole, then reinstall the bolt and tighten it securely with a wrench.
CORRECT
LEVEL

5-SPEED TRANSMISSION

OIL CHANGE CAPACITY: 2.1 l (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Use only SE or SF grade motor oil when adding or changing
transmission oil. OIL CHECK
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Use the proper

viscosity oil for

the climate in
which you drive:
Ambient Temperature
Automatic
The automatic transmission fluid level is checked (with the engine off and the car on level ground) using the dipstick in the right end of
the transmission housing. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off.
Insert the dipstick and remove it. The fluid level should be between
the upper and lower marks.
If necessary, add fluid and recheck. Use only DEXRON ®
II
Automatic Transmission Fluid (A.T.F.) when adding or changing fluid. After checking the fluid level, push the dipstick in securely.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHANGE CAPACITY:
2.8 l (3.0 US qt, 2.5 Imp qt) DIP STICK

UPPER

LOWERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Cooling System (cont'd)
Thermostat The thermostat in the cooling system does not need to be changedfor summer or winter operation. However, for extremely cold
climates, an optional thermostat is available from your Honda dealer.
Replacing CoolantReplace coolant at 36 months or 45,000 miles (72,000 km),
whichever comes first. Thereafter, replace every 2 years or 30,000
miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.
RADIATOR COOLANT
REFILL CAPACITY:
including reserve tank 0.75 l (0.198 US gal, 0.165 Imp gal)

Manual transmission 2.0 S: 5.15 l (1.361 US gal, 1.133 Imp gal)
2.0 Si,Si: 6.15 l (1.625 US gal, 1.353 Imp gal)

Automatic transmission 2.0S:5.85 l (1.546 US gal, 1.287 Imp gal)

2.0 Si,Si: 6.15 l (1.625 US gal, 1.353 Imp gal)

1. Set the heater temperature lever to maximum heat.
2. Remove the radiator cap and loosen the drain plug when the radiator is cool, and drain the radiator.
RADIATOR
CAP BLEED BOLT
DRAIN BOLT
3. Remove the drain bolt from the front side of the cylinder block, and drain the engine and heater.
4. Apply non-hardening sealant to the drain bolt threads, then reinstall the bolt and tighten it securely.
5. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.
DRAIN

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Changing a Flat Tire
Do not attempt to change a tire unless the car is on firm, level
ground and well out of the flow of traffic.
Park the car on a firm, level surface, apply the parking brake, turn
on the hazard warning switch and put the transmission in gear (Park
for automatic).

1. Remove the jack, lug wrench/jack handle and jack handle extension (in the tool bag) from the location shown.

NOTE:

To remove the jack, release its tension against the mount by turning

the screw counterclockwise.

2. Remove the spare tire.
3. Place blocks in front and back of the wheel diagonally opposite the tire you are changing.
JACK

COMPACT SPARE

TOOL BAGProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Jump Starting (cont'd)
3. Use the other cable to connect the negative terminal of the booster battery to the engine at the ground cable as shown.
4.To remove the cables, reverse the above procedures exactly.
DO NOT push or tow a car to start it. The forward surge when the
engine starts could cause a collision. Also, under some conditions,
the catalytic converter could be damaged. A car equipped with an
automatic transmission cannot be started by pushing or towing.
NOTE:
After jump-starting the car, there is a possibility that the ALB
warning light may come on due to insufficient battery voltage. After
the battery is sufficiently recharged and the engine is turned off and restarted, the ALB warning light should indicate that the ALB
system is OK, by coming on for a few seconds each time the engine is started. If the light remains on after recharging, have it checked

by a Honda dealer.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

If towing is necessary, contact a professional towing service. Your
authorized Honda dealer can assist you with detailed towing
instructions.
Never use tow chains or rope to tow a car; your ability to safety
control the car may be adversely affected.
We recommend the following:
Flat Bed Equipment — Entire car is winched on a flat bed vehicle.
This is the best way of transporting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Type — Tow with the front wheels off the ground.

If the
car can only be towed with the front wheels on the ground:

make sure the transmission is full of fluid (see page 86 — 87)

and tow with the transmission in neutral (N) and the ignition key in
the I position.

CAUTION:

To avoid serious damage on automatic transmission cars, first start the engine and shift to D, then to N and shut the engine off. If
the engine does not run or the transmission cannot be shifted
while the engine is running, the car must be transported on flatbed equipment.
Check local regulations for towing.

CAUTION:
Do not exceed 35 mph (55 km/h) or tow for distances of more
than 50 miles (80 km). If a Sling Type tow is used, the tow truck driver should position
wood spacer blocks between your car's frame and the chains
and lift straps to avoid damaging the bumper and the body. Do not use the bumpers to lift the car or to support the car's
weight while towing.
When towing a car with 4WS even with the front wheels off the ground, turn the wheels straight ahead and tie the steering wheel in place. TowingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If Your Car Gets Stuck
If your car gets stuck in sand, mud, or snow, call a professional
towing service for assistance in getting your car out,

CAUTION:
Do not rev up the engine and allow the wheels to spin freely at
high speed. Severe transmission damage may result if the wheels are allowed to spin for more than a few seconds. DO NOT try to free a car with automatic transmission from
snow etc. by rocking the car alternately between forward and
reverse gears. Severe transmission damage may result from
shifting into gear with the wheels moving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
(cont'd)
Air Conditioner

Operation.....................................
43

Service.......................................108

Air Filte
r ...........................................95
Air Pressure, Tires........................105
Aluminum Alloy Wheels...............111
Antifreeze ..................See
"Radiator coolant"
Anti Lock Brakes(ALB) ..................18 ALB Warning Light .....................
24

ALB Fluid
.....................................
99
Anti-theft Steering

Column Lock

System.........................................58

Appearance Care .........................
110

Ashtrays..........................................38
Audio System
.................................
47
Automatic Transmission

Driving Technique ......................68

Fluid.............................................87
Operation....................................67

Shift Lever

Position
Indicator .................................
21 Battery
Charging System Warning

Light.......................................23

Jump Starting ...........................119 Maintenance .............................100

Specification ........................... 126

Beeper System Fasten Seat Belt Beeper ............13
Key Reminder .............................58

Light Reminder Chime ................30

Belts,Seat...............See "Seat Belts"
Brake Lamp Warning Light.............25
Brakes Brake Failure Warning Light .......................................23
Brake Fluid...................................99
Brake System Design .................98
Brake Wear .................................98
Brake Wear Indicators................98

Parking Brake ..............................39

Parking Brake Warning Light .......................................23
Break-in Period ..................................2

Bulb

Replacement.............................103
Specification .............................126
Buzzer ............See "Beeper System"
Capacities......................................125

Care and Cleaning.........................110

Catalytic Converter .....................134
Certification Label ........................127

Chains,Tires ................................. 106

Child Restraint System ..................14
Cigarette Lighter .............................38

Clock................................................37

COMPACT Spare Tire .................114Coolant Temperature Gauge .........20
Cooling(with A/C) ...........................44 Cooling System ...............................88
Crankcase Emission ControlSystem ..........................................
130
Cruise Control
Opeartion...................................
35Indicator .....................................22
Defogger.........................................28
Defroster .........................................45

Dimmer Switch, Headlights...........31
Doors
Locks............................................3

Warning Light ............................25
Emergency
Changing Flat Tire ...................116

Hazard Warning System ..........33If the Retractable Headlights do not operate ...................123

If the Sunroof Won't
Close .....................................54
If Your Car Gets Stuck ...........122
Jump Starting .........................119Towing.....................................121Warning and
Indicator

Lights....................................21
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Index (cont'd)

Replacement

Air Filter .....................................94
Bulbs........................................ 103

Engine Oil ...................................84

Fuel Filter ...................................96
Fuses .......................................101Oil Filter
......................................84

Radiator Coolant .......................90
Spark Plugs...............................92

Tires.........................................107
Wiper Blades .............................93Retractable Headlights I
f the Retractable Headlights
do not operate ...................123
Rust Prevention.........................111
Safety Items ...................................63
Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Beeper ..................................... .21

Seat Belts
Anchor Points ...........................16
Buckling the FrontSeat Belts .............................10
Buckling the Rear Seat Belts............................12
Child Restraint......................14

Cleaning .....................................17

Warning Light and Warning Beeper ...................13
Inspection ..................................17
Lap/Shoulder Belts ...................10
Pregnant Women ......................16
Reminder Light ..........................20
Replacement .............................17
Seats
Driver's Lumbar Support ...........7
Driver's Side Support..............7
Front Seat ....................................5

Head Restraints ...........................8

Shift Lever Position Indicator........20
Shifting

Automatic..................................67
5-Speed......................................65

Spare Tire

Changing a Flat Tire................116

COMPACT Spare Tire ...........114
Specifications .........................125
Spark Plugs...................................92
Specifications...............................125Speedometer ..................................
20

Starting the Engine .........................61

Steering Anti-theft Column Lock ...........
58Four Wheel Steering............59
Power Steerin g
.........................97
Tilt Steering ........................26
Stereo Sound System
Operation...................................47

Stuck Car ..............................122
Sunroof

If the Sunroof Won't

Close .....................................54

Maintenance...........................54
Operation ........................ 53

Sunshade.......................................
53

Tachometer.............................20

Temperature Gauge
,
Coolant

....................................................20

Thermostat...................................90
Tilt Steering.....................................26
Tire
Air Pressure ............................105

Balancing ................................106

Chains...................................106
Changing a Fla
t Tire................118

COMPACT Spare .................114
DOT Tir
e
Quality Grades........128
Inflation Pressures ..................105

Requirement ..................................128

Rotation ...................................
106

Snow Tires ........................ 105

Spare Tire................................114

Specification ....................... .
126

To Get In/Out of Rear Seat..............6
Tools ..............................................
116

Towing...........................................121
Towing a Traile
r ..............................
71
Transmission

Identification
Number............127

Oil/Fluid......................................86

Shifting the Automatic.............67

Shifting the Manual...................65

Capacity ...................................125ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s