check oil HONDA PRELUDE 1992 User Guide

Transmission Oil

Automatic Transmission

Check the fluid level with the
engine at normal operating tempe-
rature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and
wipe it with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick into the

transmission.

4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Use
Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON ®
II
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) only.
6. Insert the dipstick back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid every 24
months or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK

UPPER MARK
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Transmission Oil

5-Speed Transmission

Check the oil level a couple of mi-
nutes after shutting off the engine.
Make sure the car is on level
ground. Remove the transmission
filler bolt. The oil level should be
up to the edge of the bolt hole. Feel
inside the bolt hole with your finger.
If you do not feel any oil, slowly
add oil until it starts to run out of
the hole. Reinstall the filler bolt
and tighten it securely. Only use an SF or SG grade motor
oil with a weight of 10W-30 or
10W-40.

The transmission should be drained and refilled with new oil every 24
months or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.

Maintenance

Correct
level

FILLER

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Air Conditioner

Optional for S model

Your car's air conditioner is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should
be done by a qualified technician. There are a couple of things you
can do to make sure the air condi-
tioner works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface.
These block the air flow and
reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a hose or a soft
brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins
bend easily. Only use a low- pressure spray or soft-bristle brush

to clean them.

Run the air conditioner at least
once a week during the cold
weather months. Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving
at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature.
This circulates the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioner does not get
as cold as before, it is probably
because some of the refrigerant has
leaked from the system. Have your dealer check the system for leaks
and recharge the system with
Refrigerant 12 (R-12).
Charging quantity: 750 — 800 g (26.5 — 28.3 oz)
Whenever you have the air condi-
tioning system serviced, make sure
the service facility uses a refrige-
rant recycling system. This system captures the refrigerant for reuse.
Releasing refrigerant into the at-
mosphere can damage the environ-
ment.

Maintenance

AIR CONDITIONING

CONDENSER
NOTICE
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Lights

Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a
month. A burned out bulb can
create an unsafe condition by
reducing your car's visibility and
the ability to signal your intentions
to other drivers. Check the following:
Headlights (low and high beam) Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian cars)

If you find any
bulbs are burned
out, replace them as soon as
possible. Refer to the chart on page
207 to determine what

type of
replacement bulb is needed.
Replacing a Headligh
t Bulb

Your car has two bulbs on each

side, four in total. Make sure you

are replacing the bulb that is

burned out. Your car uses halogen

headlight bulbs. When replacing a

bulb, handle it by its plastic case
and protect the glass from contact

with your skin or hard objects. If
you touch the glass, clean it with

denatured alcohol and a clean cloth.

Halogen headlight bulbs get very

hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a

scratch on the glass can cause the

bulb to overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.

If you need to change the high

beam headlight bulb
on
the

passenger's side, remove the

radiator reserve tank by pulling
it straight up.
2. To disconnect the bulb from the
electrical harness, push on the

end of the lock tab to release the
connector then push the connec-
tor straight down.
Maintenance
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and
what to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the
side of the road, you may be able to
get going again. If not, you will also
find instructions on getting your
car towed. Compact Spare Tire..................... 184
Changing a Flat Tire................... 185
If Your Engine Won't Start........ 190 Nothing Happens...................... 190
The Starter OperatesNormally................................ 191
Jump Starting................................ 191 If Your Engine Overheats.......... 193
Low Oil Pressure.......................... 195
Charging System Indication ...... 196
Check Engine Light..................... 197
Closing the Sunroof ..................... 198
Fuses............................................... 199 Checking and Replacing.........
200

Towing...........................................
202

Taking Car e
of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Low Oil Pressure

The low oil pressure light should never come on when the engine is
running. If this light comes on with
the engine running, take immediate

action.

Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechani-
cal damage almost immediately.
Turn off the engine as soon as you
can safely get the car stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine.

2. Le
t
the car sit for a minute. Open

the hood and check the oil level
(see page 135). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other
driving maneuvers.

3. I f
necessary, add oil to bring the

level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 135
).

4. Star t
the engine and watch the

oil pressure light. If the light
does not go out within ten
seconds, turn off the engine.
There is a mechanical problem
that needs to be repaired before
you can continue driving. (See
Towin g on

page 202 .
)

Taking Car e
of the Unexpected

LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories
Installation................................. 105

ACCESSORY
(Ignition Key Position).............. 48

Adding
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 144

Brake Fluid............................... 146 Clutch Fluid.............................. 147

Engine Oil...:.............................. 135

Manual Transmission Fluid... 145

Power Steering Fluid.............. 148

Radiator Coolant...................... 139

Windshield Washer fluid ........ 143

Additional Safety Information .... 16
Door Locks.................................. 16

Driving with Pets....................... 17

Seat-back Position..................... 16

Storing Cargo Safely................. 17

Additives, Engine Oil................... 136

Adjustments
Mirrors....................................... .
59

Seats............................................. 51
Steering Wheel..........................

43

Airbag (SRS).................................. 1
0

Air Conditioning............................. 68

Maintenance..............................
157

Usage............................................ 6 8

Ai
r Filter........................................
149
Air Outlet
s
(Vents)......................... 68

Air Pressure, Tires ......................
159

Alcohol an d
Drugs.......................... 24

Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 98

Antifreeze......................................
139

Anti-lock Brake s
(ABS)

Description................................
208

Indicator Light.................. .
34,
118

Operation................................... 117

Anti-theft Steerin
g
Column

Lock.............................................. 48

Appearance Care..........................
175

Ashtray............................................. 65

Audio System................................. .
75

Automatic Speed Control............. 44
Automatic Transmission............ 112

Capacity, Fluid........................
.

206

Checking Fluid Level.............. 144

Shifting
...................................... 113

Shift Leve r
Positions...............
112
Shift Lock Release................... 115
Battery
Charging System Light............. 33

Jump Starting............................ 191

Maintenance.............................. 152

Specifications............................ 207

Before Driving
................................ 97

Belts, Seat ......................................... 4
Body Repair
...................................
181

Brakes

Anti-lock Syste
m (ABS)..........
117
Break-in, Ne
w
Linings.............. 98
Fluid............................................
146
Light, Burned-out................... .

169
Parking......................................... 61

System Light.............................. .
33

Wear Indicators.....................
116
Brakes, AB S

Description...............................
.
208

Operation................................... 117

System Indicator...............
.
34,
118

Braking System...........................
.

116

Break-in, Ne
w
Car ......................... 98

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Brightness Control, Instruments................................. 41
Brights, Headlights........................ 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights......................... 169
Brake Lights.............................

169
Front Parking

Lights ..............
165
Front Side

Marker Lights......
166
Headlights................................. 164
High-mount Brake

Light........
168
License Plate

Lights................
171
Rear Sid
e
Marker Lights........
170

Specifications............................ 207

Turn Signa
l
Lights ..................
167
Bulbs, Halogen.............................
.

164

Cables, Jum
p
Starting With........
191

Capacities Chart...........................
206

Carbo
n Monoxide Hazard ............ 25

Cargo, Loading.............................
106

Cassette Playe r

Care..............................................
. 94

Operation.............................. 81,
91

Catalytic Converter.................... .

213

CAUTION, Explanatio
n
of............ ii
Center Console Compartment..... 64
Certification Label....................... 204

Chains............................................. 163

Change Oil
How to........................................ 137

When to...................................... 129

Changing a Flat Tire................... 185

Changing Engine Coolant........... 140

Charging System Light........ 33, 196
Check Engine Light............. 34, 197

Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................
144

Battery Condition.................... .

152

Brake Flui
d
...............................
146

Clutch Fluid.............................
.

147

Engine Belts.............................
.

158

Engine Oil.................................
.

135

Fuses........................................... 199

Manual Transmissio
n
Fluid...
145
Power Steerin
g
Fluid..............
148
Radiator Coolant.....................
.

139
Checklist, Befor
e
Driving...........
108
Child Safety....................................
.
18
Cigarette Lighter........................... 65
Cleaner, Air...................................
149

Cleaning

Exterior......................................
176

Interior....................................... 179

Seat Belts...................................

179

Vinyl........................................... 179
CLEAN Light................................
.
94

Clock, Setting the.......................... 63

Clutch Fluid..................................
147

CO i n
the Exhaust........................
211
Cold Weather
,
Starting in...........
110

Compact Spare.............................
.

184

Consumer Information................
217

Controls, Instruments
and............ 29

Coolant
Adding........................................ 139

Checking.................................... 139

Proper Solution......................... 139

Temperature Gauge.................. 38

Corrosion Protection................... 180

Crankcase Emission Control
System........................................ 211

Cruise Control Operation ............. 44

Customer Relations Office......... 217ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

DANGER, Explanation of.............. ii

Dashboard........................................ 30

Daytime Running Lights.............. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do........... 191
Defects, Reporting Safety ............ 26
Defogger, Rear Window ............... 56
Defrosting the Windows............... 74
DEXRON ®
II Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................. 144

Dimensions.................................... 206

Dimming the Headlight
s .............. 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........
144

Engine Oil................................. .

135

Directional Signals........................
.
41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ... 202
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
116
Disposal o f
Used Oil.....................
138

Doors

Locking an
d Unlocking ............ 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
DOT Tire Quality Grading......... 161
Downshifting,

5-speed Transmission.............. 111

Driving .......................................... .
107

Economy.................................... 104
In Bad Weather......................... 119
In Foreign Countries................. 99
Economy, Fuel.............................. 104
Emergencies on the Road........... 183 Battery, Jump Starting............ 191
Changing a Flat Tire............... 185
Charging System Light........... 196
Check Engine Light................. 197
Checking the Fuses.................
200
Low Oi l
Pressure Light........... 195
Manually Closing Sunroof...... 198
Overheated Engine.................. 193

Emergency Brake ......................... 61

Emergency Flashers...................... 56
Emission Controls......................... 211
Engine Check Light....................... 34, 197
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 38
Oil Pressure Light............. 33, 195
Oil, What Kind to Use .............
135
Overheating............................... 193

Specifications........................... 206

Ethano l
in Gasoline........................ 98
Evaporative Emission Controls......................................
211
Exhaust Fumes.............................. .
25
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.................................. 8
Exterior, Cleaning the.................
176

Fabric, Cleaning........................... 179

Fan, Interior.................................... 68

Fan, Radiator.................................. 27

Features, Comfort
and Convenience........................ 67

Filling the Gas Tank.................... 100

Filters

Air
............................................... 149

Fuel............................................. 150

Oil ............................................... 137

First Gear, Shifting...................... 111

5-Speed Transmissio n
Checkin
g Fluid Level..............
145

CONTINUED
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 98

Odometer......................................... 37

Odometer, Trip............................... 37

Oil Change, How to........................ 137
Change, When
to ......................
129
Checking Engine......................


135
Pressure Light............................

33
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart.......................................
136

ON (Ignitio n
Key Position)........... 47
Opening the Hood.........................
101
Opening th e
Trunk ........................ 50
Operation in Foreign Countries... 99
Outside Mirrors.............................. 60
Overheating, Engine....................
193

Panel Brightnes s
Control.............. 41

Park Gear Position.......................
113

Parking Brake................................ .
61

Parking Lights................................ 40

Parking Over Things that
Burn............................................ 213

PGM-FI System............................ 212
Polishing and Waxing..................
177
Power

Door Locks.................................
. 48

Mirrors......................................... 60

Steering...................................... 148
Windows.......................................
57
Pregnancy, Usin g
Seat Belts......... 8
Proper Seat Belt Usage................... 6

Radiator Overheating..................
193

Radio/Cassette Sound System
..... 75

Rear En d
Towing.........................
202

Rear Lights, Bulb

Replacement.............................. 169

Rear Seat, Folding ......................... 55

Rear Vie w
Mirror .......................... 59
Rear Window Defogger ................ 56

Reclining the Seat Backs.............. 52

Recommended Shift Speeds....... 111

Reminder Lights............................
.
31

Replacement Information

Air Filter...................................
.
149

Coolant....................................... 140

Engine Oil and Filter............... 137 Fuel Filter..................................
150

Fuses...........................................
200

Ligh
t Bulbs................................ 164

Schedule..................................... 129

Spark Plugs............................... 150
Tires............................................ 161
Wiper Blades............................. 155
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash................................. 9

Reserve Tank, Coolant...............
139

Restraint, Child.............................. .
18

Reverse Gear Position..................
114
Rotation, Tire............................... ..

160

Safety Belts......................................
.
5

Safety Defects, Reporting............ 26
Safety Labels, Location of............ 27
Safety Messages............................... ii

Seat Belts........................................... 5
Advice for Pregnant Women..... 8Child Seat Anchor Plate ........... 21
Cleaning.....................................
179
Frayed o r
Torn............................. 9

Maintenance.................................. 9ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t