engine HONDA PRELUDE 1990 Owners Manual

Introduction

This manual contains important information about the safe
operation and maintenance of your car.
We urge you to read it carefully, become familiar with the controls it
describes, and follow its recommendations, to help make your
driving trouble-free and enjoyable.
Statements or labels on the product preceded by the following
words are of special significance:
indicates severe personal injury or death will result if
instructions are not followed.indicates a strong possibility of severe personal
injury or death if instructions are not followed.means hazards or unsafe practices which could
cause minor personal injury or product or property

damage.

NOTE: gives helpful information.
Break-in Period During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of driving, avoid full throttle
starts and cruising for extended periods at a constant speed.

NOTE:
This break-in procedure also applies to exchanged or overhauled

engines.

During and after the break-in period, drive the car at moderate
speeds until the engine is fully warmed up.
During the first 200 miles (300 km), try to avoid severe braking.
Brake misuse during this period will reduce future braking efficiency.
Remember, your Honda Automobile Dealer knows your car best,
and should be consulted for service assistance and advice.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

ALB (Anti Lock Brakes) help to maintain the road holding and
tractability of your car during severe braking, and under slippery road conditions. The ALB system prevents the wheels from locking(thus reducing the chance of skidding) to ensure controllable
deceleration. When sudden braking might otherwise lock one or more wheels, the ALB system temporarily reduces the braking
pressure to the wheel or wheels about to lock to ensure continued
braking efficiency.
When the ALB is regulating the braking pressure, the brake pedal pulsates slightly to make the driver aware that the system is
compensating for critical braking conditions. The pulsating brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road condition, and to
remind you to take extra care.
Don't mix different diameter tires; it will confuse the ALB
computer which monitors the road speed of each wheel. For
example, if one or more tires are larger than the others, the computer will think they are rolling more slowly (as if they are
about to lock up) and reduce brake pressure to those wheels.On loose or uneven surfaces (gravel, ruts etc.) where all four
wheels loss traction intermittently, the ALB system may require
a longer stopping distance than an equivalent car with a conventional braking system.
The ALB system cannot make up for extreme road conditions or driver misjudgement, It is still the driver's responsibility to drive
at a suitable speed and provide a margin of safety for the road,
weather and traffic conditions at hand.

CAUTION:

Be careful not to damage the wiring or the speed sensors at the
back of each wheel when removing mud or snow from the wheel
housings.
NOTE:
You may hear a sound like a small motor running, coming from the engine while driving or after the ALB is applied. This indicates theALB pump is in service and the system is working properly.
Ant
i
Lock Brake (Si with ALB)
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Speedometer

The speed is indicated in miles per hour (outside scale) and
kilometers per hour (inside).

Odometer

The numbers on the odometer indicate miles.
The odometer registers total distance traveled, and serves as your
guide for determining when periodic maintenance is due. Federal law makes it illegal to alter the odometer of any motor vehicle with the
intent to change the number of miles indicated.

Trip Meter
The numbers on the trip meter indicate miles.
The trip meter can be returned to zero by pushing in the resetbutton. Use it for checking fuel consumption or distance traveled per trip.

Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute.The beginning of the RED ZONE indicates the maximum allowable
engine R.P.M. Do not run the engine with the tachometer indicator
needle in the RED ZONE.

Fuel Gauge
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 60 l (15.9 US gal, 13.2 Imp gal)
As a convenience, the gauge continues to show the same fuel level as when the ignition was last on. After refueling, the gauge will
slowly change to the new fuel level when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle first indicates E (empty), you have a usable reserve left in the tank of about:
4 l
(1.1
US gal, 0,9 Imp gal)
Coolant Temperature GaugeCAUTION:
The needle should stay within the white range. If the needle reaches the red line at "H" (Hot), pull safely off the road, stop the
engine and check the coolant level in the reserve tank on the passenger side of the radiator under the hood.
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The
coolant is under pressure and may blow out and scald you.

GaugesProCarManuals.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

What the Controls Do:

FUNCTION BUTTONS
AND INDICATOR LIGHTS RECIRCULATION BUTTON
AND INDICATOR LIGHT FRESH AIR BUTTON
AND INDICATOR LIGHT

FAN SWITCH

TEMPERATURE LEVER AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH
AND INDICATOR LIGHT COMPRESSOR LIGHT

Fan Switch

Turning the dial clockwise will increase the fan speed, and the fan
will circulate warm, cool, or outside air, depending on where the
temperature lever and function buttons are set.
Function Buttons

Push the appropriate button to direct air to and from the heater,
defroster and vents. Each function button has an indicator light that
comes on when the button is pushed in.
Air Conditioner Switch (optional on the 2.0 S and 2.0 Si models)
With the fan on, push the A/C switch to operate the air conditioner;
the indicator light will come on.
Push the switch again to turn the air conditioner off.
NOTE:
If the air conditioner compressor light comes on, turn off the A/C
switch (with the engine running) and turn it on again. If the light does
not come on again, the system is functioning normally, if the light
does come on again, turn off the A/C switch and do not use the
system until it can be checked by an authorized Honda dealer.
Temperature Lever Slide the lever from left to right to make air warmer when the
appropriate function is selected. and Recirculation
Fresh Air
When the
Buttons

button is pushed, the indicator light will go on and
outside air will be allowed to circulate inside the car.
When the outside air is shut off, and the air inside the car is recirculated. So,
when the heater or air conditioner is on and you want to warm up
or cool down the interior more quickly, or keep smoke or dust out
of the car without losing the heat or cool function, simply push the
button.
button is pushed, the indicator light comes on,ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Heating and Cooling (cont'd)

NOTE:

The windows may become fogged if the system is in the
position for an extended period of time with the air

conditioner off. As soon as the interior is warmed, switch to the
position.
How to Use the Controls
To Ventilate Move the temperature lever to the left, and push the buttons. Turn the fan switch on and outside air will flow
through the side and center vents. To change air distribution, select
To Cool with A/C (optional on the 2.0 S and 2.0 Si models)
To cool the car down quickly, start the engine, then turn the fanswitch to high, push the A/C button on and open the windows briefly. Then close the windows, slide the temperature lever to the
When the interior has cooled desired speed, then push the (outside) air to the air conditioner.
When using the air conditioner in heavy traffic, or while driving up long hills, watch the coolant temperature gauge: if the needle movesnear the "H" end of the scale, turn the air conditioner off by
pushing the A/C button ; leave it off until the needle goes back well
into the middle of the scale.
and

the
ducts at the floor level. position and outside air will also flow from the heater
sufficiently, switch the fan to thebutton to direct fresh

and

left, push the
recirculate to the buttons, so inside air will
air conditioner for maximum cooling.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Gasoline
For proper operation of your car's emission controls, your engine is
designed to use unleaded fuel only.

CAUTION:

Using leaded or even low-lead gasoline could damage some of your
emission controls, and also void their coverage under the emission
controls warranty.
Use gasoline from pumps labeled unleaded, with a pump octane
number of 86 or higher. The pump octane number is an average of
the Research (R) octane and Motor (M) octane numbers. Use of a
lower octane gasoline can cause persistent, heavy "SPARK
KNOCK" (a metallic rapping noise), which can lead to engine damage

if severe.
CAUTION:
If you notice steady spark knock while holding a steady speed on a
level road, try changing brands of gasoline. If the spark knock persists, consult your Honda dealer. Failure to do so is considered
misuse, and misuse is not covered under the New Car Warranty.
Occasionally you may notice light spark knock while accelerating or
driving up hills. This is no cause for concern, it simply means your engine is running at its most economical.
Gasoline Containing Alcohol
If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol ("gasohol"), be
sure its octane rating is at least as high as that recommended for
unleaded gasoline. There are two types of "gasohol": that
containing ethanol, and that containing methanol. Do not use
gasohol that contains more than 10% ethanol. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. Never use
gasoline containing more than 5% methanol, even if it hascosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Gasoline (cont'd)
NOTE:
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems resulting
from the use of such fuels is not covered under the new car warranties. Honda cannot endorse the use of fuels containingmethanol since evidence of their suitability is as yet incomplete. Before purchasing fuel from an unfamiliar station, try to confirm
whether the fuel contains alcohol; of what kind, and how much. If
you notice any undesirable operating symptoms after using a
gasoline that contains alcohol, or one that you think contains
alcohol, switch to an unleaded gasoline, as recommended on page 55.
Operation In Foreign Countries In order to comply with U.S. Federal Emissions Regulations, you
must use unleaded fuels of the recommended octane rating. These
fuels may not be available in other countries. If you intend taking your car outside the U.S. or Canada, write to American Honda
Consumer Affairs (stating the year and model of your car) at the
address below for information regarding modifications you mayneed to have done.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Consumer Affairs

100 W. AIondra Blvd.,
Gardena, CA 90248
Fuel Filler Door and Cap
Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain
conditions. Perform this operation in a well-ventilated area with
the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow open flames or sparks in the area or where gasoline is stored.
The fuel filler door is opened by pulling up on the lever at the leftside of the driver's seat.
The door will lock automatically when closed; push it until it clicks.

CAUTION:

You may hear a hiss when you open the filler cap. This sound is residual pressure escaping from the fuel tank. Open the cap slowly
and remove the cap after the hissing stops. Do not overfill the tank;
fill only until the gas pump clicks off automatically and never top off.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s