HONDA PRELUDE 1990 Owner's Manual

Warning and Indicator Lights

Shift Lever Position indicator (Automatic Transmission only) A lighted indicator between the fuel and coolant temperature
gauges shows which gear you have selected.
NOTE:
The S3 indicator light in the instrument panel also serves a second
function, if the light flashes while driving (in any gear range) it indicates a possible malfunction in the transmission; avoid rapid
acceleration and have the transmission checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible.
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights
When the turn signal lever is pushed for left or right turns, the appropriate green indicator arrow on the instrument panel will blink
along with the signal. Turning on the hazard warning switch willmake all turn signals and both arrows blink (see page 33).

Headlight High Beam indicator Light

This blue indicator light will go on whenever the high beams are switched on (see page 31).
Seat Belt Warning Light
The seat belt warning light comes on for a couple of seconds each
time the ignition switch is turned on (see page 13).

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Warning and Indicator Lights (cont'd)

Oil Pressure Warning Light

A severe fluctuation in engine oil pressure will cause this light to
flash on and off. You should stop as soon as possible, check the oil level, and add oil if necessary.
The oil pressure warning light will come on, and remain on, if there is insufficient oil pressure or when the ignition switch is turned on
with the engine not running. If the light should stay on while driving,
get the car off the road as soon as you can, turn the engine off and
check the engine oil level (see page 83).
Even if the oil level is correct, the engine should be checked by a
Honda dealer before the car is driven again.

NOTE:

The oil pressure warning light will only light as a result of low oil pressure. It is not directly an oil level indicator.
CAUTION:
Running the engine while the oil pressure warning light is on
constantly may cause immediate and severe engine damage.
Cruise Control Indicator Light
When the cruise control system is on, this indicator light is on (see
page 35 and 36).

Fuel Reserve Warning Light

If the warning light glows, it means you should refuel, because the
tank contains less than:
10 l (2.6 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal) CRUISE
CONTROLProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Charging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light comes on when there is a problem with the electrical charging system or when the ignition
switch is turned on with the engine not running. If the light comes
on while driving, stop the car and check to see if the alternator belt is loose or broken.
To check the belt tension, stop the engine and push with about 98N (22 Ib) of force on the middle of the belt as shown. The belt should
deflect about:
10
—
12 mm (0.4
—
0.5 in) 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.

NOTE:

If necessary, have the charging system checked by an authorized

Honda dealer.

Check Engine Warning Light
This light comes on for a couple of seconds each time the ignition is
turned on. It will also come on, and remain on, if there is a
malfunction in the emission control system. If the light comes on
while driving, avoid driving at high speed, and have the system checked by a Honda dealer as soon as possible.
Parking Brake/Brake Failure Warning Light
Check the brake warning light every time you start the car.
With the parking brake set, the warning light should go on when the
ignition switch is turned to II or III, With the parking brake released,
the light should go on when the ignition switch is turned to III. If the light goes on at any other time, it means the brake fluid level in the
master cylinder reservoir is too low ; add fluid and have your dealer
check for leaks and brake pad wear immediately. See page 99. BRAKE

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Warning and indicator Lights (cont'd)
Anti Lock Brake Warning Light (Si with ALB)
The ALB (Anti Lock Brake) warning light will come on, and remain
on, if there is a malfunction in the ALB system or when the ignition switch is turned on with the engine not running, if the light comes
on while driving, stop the car at a safe place and shut off the engine, if the light does not go out or lights again while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible.

NOTE:
The light does not indicate a failure of the normal brake system.
The light only indicates a malfunction in the ALB system. In such acase, the ALB system is automatically shut down but normal
braking capability continues.
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.
ANTI
LOCKProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Safety Indicator Lights

Headlight Motor Warning Light

The headlight motor warning light will come on if either headlight motor malfunctions during operation, causing it to lock for three or
more seconds. See page 123 for manual operation.
Door and Trunk Lid Warning Lights
If a door or the trunk lid is open when the ignition is switched on,
the appropriate indicator will light, and stay lit, until the door or
trunk lid is closed.

Brake Lamp Warning Light

If a brake light does not work, the BRAKE LAMP indicator will
go on when you push the brake pedal with the ignition on; the indicator will stay on until you have the temp repaired or replaced.Have the brake lights checked as soon as possible.
It is dangerous to drive your car with a problem in either the brake
electrical or hydraulic system; have your dealer check both systems if you suspect brake trouble.
Checking the Safety Indicator Lights
The headlight motor, door, trunk lid and brake lamp warning lights should come on for about two seconds when the ignition switch is
turned on. If they don't, have the system checked by a Honda dealer.
BRAKE LAMPProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Tilt Steering
The steering wheel position can be adjusted to suit driver preference.

1.Pull toward you and hold the
lever at the bottom left of the
steering column, and adjust the
steering wheel to the desired position.
2. To lock the steering wheel, hold it in the desired position
and release the lever. TILT STEERING
ADJUSTMENT

LEVER

Do not adjust the steering wheel position while driving. After adjusting the steering wheel position, make sure it is
securely locked in place by "rocking" it up and down sightly.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Windshield Wipers/Washer/Defogger
Windshield Wipers
Switch the wipers to INT for

intermittent operation; LO for low
speed operation; and HI for high
speed operation.
In fog or very light rain, push the
lever down to the MIST position for
temporary high speed operation of
the wipers. The wipers will return
to the "rest" position and the motor will shut off as soon as you
release the lever.
Washer Pull the wiper switch lever toward
you to turn on the washer.
Check the washer fluid regularly,
especially during bad weather or
whenever the washer has been in
frequent use. The float in the neck of reservoir indicates the fluid level.
Push down

PULL

WINDSHIELD WASHER
RESERVOIR CAPACITY:

2.51(2.6 US qt, 2.2 Imp qt)

FLOAT

WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIRProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Windshield Wipers/Washer/Defogger (cont'd)

CAUTION:
Do not use radiator antifreeze in the windshield washer; it will
damage the paint. Do not use a vinegar/water combination in the windshield
washer; it will damage the pump.
Prolonged operation of the washer without fluid may damage
the pump.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield with the defrosters
before using the washer. This will help prevent icing which could
seriously impair visibility.
Rear Window Defogger Push the switch to turn the
defogger on or off. The indicator will light when the defogger is on.

The defogger will turn off
automatically 24 minutes after itis turned on.

CAUTION:

When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be careful not to damage the printed heater wires on the rear window. Wipe thewindow horizontally along the wires, not up and down. Use a good quality commercial washer fluid for all-weather cleaning.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Mirrors

Rearview Mirrors Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best
visibility. Be sure to adjust mirrors before you start.
The inside mirror has day and night positions. The night positionreduces glare from the headlights
of vehicles behind you. Flip the
small tab on the bottom of the mirror forward or backward to
select day or night position.
(2.0
S,2.0
Si)

The outside mirror can be
adjusted by moving the knob
located on each door.
Power Mirrors (Si)With the ignition switch in the "II" position, move the main switch
to L (for driver's side) or R (for passenger's side), then use the adjustment switch to adjust the mirror to the correct angle. After
the mirrors have been adjusted, return the main switch to the center (off) position.
NOTE:Be sure to adjust mirror angles before you start driving.
DAY/NIGHT

ADJUSTMENT
TAB

KNOB

MAIN SWITCH ADJUSTMENT SWITCHProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Lights

FIRST
STOP

Turn Signals

Push the turn signal lever down to
signal a left turn, and up for a right

turn. The indicator and
appropriate signal lights will blink.
The lever will return automatically
to its original position when the
steering wheel is returned to

straight ahead.
For lane changing, you can signal by pushing the lever part way up
or down (to the first stop) and holding it there; the lever will return
to its original position when you release it. If either turn signal
indicator lights up but does not blink, blinks faster than usual, or
does not light up at all, check for a burned out bulb or fuse.
FIRST POSITION
Turn
SECOND
POSITION

Headlights

Turn the light switch to the first position ( ) for taillights, side

marker lights, position lights,

license plate lights, and

instrument panel lights. Turn to the second position ( ) to raise

and add the headlights.

When the switch is returned from the second to the first position,
the headlights will go off but will not retract; they retract when the light switch is turned to OFF.
If the driver's door is opened when the light switch is turned to
either "on" position, a chime will sound to remind you to turn off
your lights.
If you wish to raise or retract the headlights when the light switch is
off (to use them as a passing signal for example), you may do so bypushing the headlight motor switch, located on the left side of the
instrument panel; see page 32 for instructions on its use.

CAUTION:

Do not operate the headlight switch or headlight motor switch if
anyone's hands are near the headlights. FIRST
STOP
RIGHT
TURN
LEFT TURNProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s