fuel HONDA PRELUDE 1992 Owner's Manual

Emission Controls

The burning of gasoline in your
car's engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating from the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to form photochemical "smog."
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas.
The Clean Air Act

The United States Clean Air Act*
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain
to owners how their emission
controls work and what to do to
maintain them. This section
summarizes how the emission con-
trols work. Scheduled maintenance

is on page 129 .

* In Canada, Honda vehicles

comply with the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS)
for Emissions valid at the time they

are manufactured.
Crankcase Emission Control

System

Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) System. This
keeps gasses that build up in the engine's Crankcase from going into
the atmosphere. The PCV valve
routes them from the crankcase
back to the intake manifold. They
are then drawn into the engine and

burned.

Evaporative Emission
Control SystemAs gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, a canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in
this canister while the engine is off.
After the engine is started and
warmed up, the vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during

driving.

Technical Informatio n
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Emission Controls

Exhaust Emission Controls

The exhaust emission controls
include four systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control, Exhaust
Gas Recirculation and Catalytic
Converter. These four systems
work together to control the engine's combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx
that comes out the tailpipe. The
exhaust emission control systems
are separate from the crankcase
and evaporative emission control

systems.

PGM-FI System
The PGM-FI System on your car
has three sub systems: Air Intake,
Electronic Control, and Fuel
Control. The Electronic Control
Unit (ECU) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls
how much fuel to inject under all
operating conditions. Ignition Timing Control System
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the
amount of HC, CO and NOx

produced.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
The EGR system takes some of the
exhaust gas and routes it back into
the intake manifold. Adding ex-
haust gas to the air/fuel mixture re-
duces the amount of NOx produced
when the fuel is burned.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is in the exhaust system. Through chemical
reactions, it converts HC, CO, and
NOx in the engine's exhaust to
carbon dioxide (CO 2), dinitrogen
(N 2), and water vapor.
Replacement Parts

The emission control systems are

designed and certified to work to-

gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean

Air Act. To make sure the emis-
sions remain low, you should use

only new genuine Honda replace-

ment parts or their equivalent for

repairs. Using lower quality parts
may increase the emissions from

your car .

The emissions control systems are

covered b y
warranties separate

from the rest of your car. Read

your warranty manual for more
information.
Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents 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

5-Speed Transmission,
Shifting the ............................... 111

Flashers, Hazard
Warning ........... 56
Flat Tire, Changing a..................
185
Fluids Automatic Transmission.......
. 144
Brake.......................................... 146
Clutch......................................... 147
Manual Transmission.............. 145
Power Steering......................... 148
Windshield Washer..................
155
FM Stereo
Radio

Reception.............................. 75, 84

Folding Rear Seat.......................... 55
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 99
Four-way Flashers......................... 56
Four Wheel Steering (4WS)
Description................................ 210

Indicator Light........................... 35

Operation...................................
118

Front End ,
Towing by Emergency

Wrecker..................................... 202

Fuel................................................... 9
8

Fille
r Door and Cap..................
100

Filter........................................... 150

Gauge............................................ 3
8
Octan
e Requirement................. 98

Oxygenated................................. 98

Tank, Filling the ...................... 100

Fuses, Checking the .................... 200

Gas Mileage, Improving.............. 104

Gasohol............................................ 98

Gasoline............................................ 98
Filter...........................................
150

Gauge............................................ 3 8

Octan
e Requirement................. 98
Tank, Filling the ......................
100
Gas Statio n
Procedures...............
100

Gauges

Engine Coolan
t Temperature.. 38

Fuel............................................... 38

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........
112

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

111

Glass Cleaning.............................
.

180

Glove Box........................................
.
62
Halogen Headlight Bulbs............ 164

Hazard Warning Flashers ............ 56

Headlights
Daytime Running Lights.......... 40

High Beam Indicator................. 35

High Beams, Turning on.......... 40
Low Beams, Turning on........... 40

Reminder Chime........................ 40

Replacing Halogen Bulbs ....... 164

Turning on.................................. 40

Heating and Cooling...................... 68

High Altitude, Starting at...........
110

High-Low Bea m
Switch ............... 40
Hood, Opening the........................
101

Horn.................................................. 4 7

Ho
t Coolant, Warning about......
139

Hydraulic Clutch.........................
.

147

Hydroplaning................................. 119

Identification Number
,

Vehicle......................................
.
204

If You
r
Car Has to be Towed ....
202
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Index

Ignition
Keys.............................................. 47

Switch.......................................... 47

Timing Control System........... 212
Indicator Lights,
Instrument

Panel............................................. 31

Infant Restraint.............................. 19
Inflation, Proper Tire..................
158
Inside Mirror...................................
59
Inspection, Tire.............................
159
Instrument Panel............................
30
Instrument Panel Brightness....... 41
Interior Cleaning..........................
179
Interior Lights................................
66
Introduction........................................ i
Jacking up the Car.......................
185

Jack, Tire...................................... .

185

Jump Starting...............................
.

191

Keys.................................................. 4
7

Label, Certification...................... 204
Lane Change, Signaling................ 41
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... .
6
Leaking of Exhaust into Car........ 25

Lighter, Cigarette.......................... 65

Lights
Bulb Replacement.................... 164

Indicator....................................... 3 1

Parking........................................
. 40

Turn Signal.................................. 41

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

LOCK (Ignitio n
Key Position).....

47

Locks
Anti-theft Steerin
g Column..... 47
Fuel Filler Door........................
100
Glove Box................................... .
62
Power Door.................................. 48

Trunk...........................................

50

Low Coolan t
Level.......................
139

Lower Gear
,
Downshifting to a . 112

Low Oil Pressure Light........ 33, 195

Lubricant Specifications Chart.
206

Luggage.........................................
106

Maintenance.................................. 127

Periodi
c Items........................... 133

Record................................. 131-

132

Schedule ............................ .
128-129

Manual Transmission..................
111

Manual Transmissio n
Fluid.......
145
Maximum Shif
t
Speeds....... 112, 115
Meters, Gauges............................... 37
Methanol in Gasoline..................... 98
Mirrors, Adjusting......................... 59
Neutral Gear Position..................
114
New Vehicl e
Break-in................... 98
Normal Shift Speeds....................
111
NOTICE, Explanatio n
of................ ii

Numbers, Identification..............
204

Occupant Protectio n
System ......... 4

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.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