lock HONDA PRELUDE 1990 Owner's Manual

Shifting the 5 Speed
The fully synchronized manual
transmission is very easy to shift up or down. When you slow

down for traffic, steep hills, or
corners, shift to a lower gearbefore the engine starts to labor.
When descending steep grades, select a lower gear to help
maintain a safe speed and to
prevent the brakes from over-

heating.

When shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift gears and then release the clutch gradually. Do not speed-shift; allow time for the
gears to synchronize.
To prevent grinding the gears when shifting into reverse, hold the clutch pedal depressed briefly before shifting, or shift the lever intoone of the forward gears before selecting reverse.
A safety lockout prevents accidental shifting straight from 5th to

Reverse.

Avoid rapid acceleration or sudden deceleration when either or both driving wheels are on a slippery surface. Decreased traction
could cause loss of directional control.

CAUTION:
Do not drive with your foot on the clutch pedal as this will causepremature wear of clutch components.
Do not shift into reverse while the car is moving.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Shifting the Automatic
The automatic transmission shift lever has a locking mechanism to prevent accidental shifting into Reverse (R), Park (P) or 2nd (2). Also,
the Automatic Shift Lock prevents you from shifting out of Park unless the brake pedal is already depressed and the ignition switch isin the II position.
Push the button on the shift handle to shift into 2nd, Reverse or
Park; depress the brake pedal and then push the button on the shifthandle to shift out of Park.
: Depress the brake pedal first and push the button, then shift.
: Push the button, then shift.
: Shift as desired.
If you cannot shift out of Park with
the brake pedal depressed and the ignition switch in the II position:

1. Turn the ignition switch off and
remove the key.
2. Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release located to the right of the

shift lever.

3. Press and hold the key down, then press the button on the shifthandle and move the shift lever to

Neutral.

4. Return the key to the ignition switch, depress the brake pedal
and restart the engine. Depress
buttonNOTE:
If you
encounter any problem shifting out of Park, have your
authorized Honda dealer check the system as soon as possible. KEY
Insert

SHIFT LOCK RELEASE

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Operating Tips

For smoother operation, apply the brakes when shifting from
Neutral or Park to a forward or reverse gear.
When parking: bring the car to a stop with the foot brake, hold the brake on and shift into Park, set the hand brake and then turn off
the engine.

NOTE:

Your 4 speed automatic transmission is equipped with a torque
converter lock-up clutch. Because of this, you may notice what
feels like an extra shift as the clutch engages.
CAUTION: Shift into P only after the car has come to a complete stop.
Shift into or out of R only after the car has come to a complete

stop.

Do not "rev-up" the engine when the brake is on and the shift
lever is in D, S, 2 or R.
When stopped on a hill, use the brakes to hold your position, not the accelerator pedal.Do not shift from N or P into D, S, 2 or R when the engine is
above idle speed. Before shifting into gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal. Do not rest your hand on the shift lever or push the shift button
while driving.

Driving Technique

D-4th
Use the D range for normal in-town and highway driving. The car
will start off in 1st and shift automatically to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The
further down you push the accelerator, the later the transmission will shift and the faster the car will accelerate.

S3/S4

The "S" shift selector range changes the shift points under part
throttle acceleration, allowing the transmission to stay in each lower
gear for a longer period before automatically upshifting. With the shift selector in the "S" range, the "S3" indicator light in the dashpanel will come on and the transmission will shift from 1st to 2nd
and 3rd but not 4th. This is especially useful when climbing or
descending grades. While driving in the "S" range, the car's performance is improved but fuel economy is reduced.
Shifting the Automatic (cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

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

Engine Oil and Filter

Checking

Check the engine oil a couple of minutes after shutting the engine
off, with the car parked on level ground. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way down, then pull it out and read
the level. The level should be between the upper and lower marks.
ENGINE OIL
FILLER CAP

Adding
If the level has dropped close to the lower mark, add oil until it is
even with the upper mark. 1 .Turn the oil filler cap counterclockwise to remove. Add oil, then check the level again. Do not overfill.
2. Reinstall the cap and twist clockwise until it stops.

CAUTION:
Be sure the oil filler cap is correctly replaced before starting the

engine.
Engine oil is a major factor affecting the performance and

service life of the engine; you should use only a premium quality

detergent oil labeled SG grade.
LOOK FOR THIS LABEL
ON THE OIL CONTAINER

Use the proper viscosity oil for the
climate in which you drive:
Some oil labels may also include additional designations of quality
such as CC or CD. However, these are acceptable only when
used together with SG.
NOTE:

5W-30 viscosity
oil is recommended for improved fuel economy.

(cont'd)

Ambient Temperature

UPPER

LOWER
DIPSTICKProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Engine Oil and Filter (cont'd)
Fuel Efficient Oil
For the best fuel economy from your car, it is recommended that
you use a fuel efficient SG oil. This oil is usually identified by the words such as: "Energy Conserving II," "Gas Saving," and "Fuel
Saving," etc.
Changing Oil and FilterEngine oil and filter should be changed together every 6 months or

7,500 miles (12,000 km), whichever occurs first. The filter is on the

engine block, below the intake manifold.

CAUTION:

The oil filter cannot easily be removed from above the engine.For this reason it is recommended
that the oil filter change be done by a skilled mechanic.

1. Start the car to warm up the
engine, then shut it off.

2. Remove the engine oil filler cap and drain bolt, and drain the oil. ENGINE OIL DRAIN BOLT
A warmed-up engine and the oil in it are hot; be careful not to burn
yourself.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the remaining oil drain out.
4. Install a new fitter according to
instructions on or with the filter.
OIL FILTERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

If the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick
add a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water to bring it up to MAX. If there is no coolant visible on the dipstick, the cooling system
should be checked for leaks and repaired if necessary. Coolantmust then be added to the radiator.

CAUTION:

Radiator coolant will damage paint. Quickly rinse any spilled

coolant from painted surfaces.

Wait until the engine is cool, then turn the radiator cap counterclock-wise until it stops. DO NOT PRESS DOWN WHILE TURNING THECAP. After any remaining pressure has been relieved, remove the
cap by pressing down and again turning it counterclockwise. Add
enough coolant to fill the radiator, and reinstall the cap. Be sure to
tighten it securely. Fill the reserve tank up to the MAX mark with
the engine cold.

Maintenance
1. Check the freeze protection level of the coolant with a hydrometer.
2. Keep the front of the radiator free of dirt and debris.

3. Check hoses and hose clamps regularly.

(cont'd)
MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANKProCarManuals.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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Wiper Blades
For maximum visibility, replace worn or cracked wiper blades when
you notice they do not wipe the windshield cleanly or smoothly.
To Replace Worn-out Blades:
1. Detach the blade assembly from the arm by pressing the
lock tab in, then pushing the
blade toward the base of the

arm.

2. Firmly grasp the end of the
blade rubber and pull until the

tabs are free of the metal

support.
METAL SUPPORT

TAB
Pull out
3. Remove the metal retainers from the worn-out blade rubber and
put them in a new blade rubber. RETAINERS
4. Insert the new blade rubber from the opposite side of the blade
tabs and position the tabs in the
metal support.

5. Reinstall the blade assembly on
the arm. Press Lock
Tab In

Push InProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
Brake Fluid
Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir periodically; it should be between the MAX and MINmarks on the reservoir.If the level is near the MIN mark, add
fluid to raise it to the MAX mark. Do not overfill, Use only brake fluid
manufactured to DOT 3 or DOT 4
specifications (see reservoir cap)
from a seated container. Follow the manufacturer's instructions printed
on the can.
NOTE:
A low brake fluid level may be an indication of brake pad wear or of
brake fluid leakage. You should have your brakes checked if the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is low before refilling it.
CAUTION:
The arrow on the reservoir cap must be pointing forward after the cap is installed. Make sure the brake warning switch wiring doesn't
get caught between the cap and top edge of the reservoir.
ANTI LOCK
BRAKE FLUIDRESERVOIR
Anti Lock Brake Fluid (Si with ALB)
Check the fluid level in the ALB
reservoir periodically.

To check, drive the car for a few

minutes to equalize fluid pressure in
the system.
The level should be between the

MAX and MIN marks on the

reservoir. If the level is near the MIN
mark, add fluid to raise it to the
MAX mark.
Do not overfill. Use only brake fluid
manufactured to DOT 3 or DOT 4

specifications from a sealed

container.

Follow the manufacturer's

instructions printed on the can.
If the level is more than 10 mm (0.4 in) above the MAX mark, it may
indicate a malfunction of ALB system. Have an authorized Honda
dealer check the system as soon as possible.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s