heating HONDA PRELUDE 1998 User Guide

Heating and Cooling

To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the vehicle has been sitting out
in cold weather:
1. Start the engine.
2. Select

When you select the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
3. Switch the fan and temperature controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very colddays), first select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear, select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
fogging the windows. These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
underneath each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield defroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
To Turn Everything Off

To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.

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5-speed Manual Transmission

The manual transmission is syn-
chronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shifting up or down, make sure you push the clutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up

gradually. When you are not shifting,
do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster. Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the vehicle moving. Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before shifting into Reverse, or shift into
one of the forward gears for a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won't "grind."
When slowing down, you can get extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear. Refer to the Maximum
Allowable Speeds chart.
Driving
Rapid slowing or speeding-up

can cause loss of control on

slippery surfaces. If you crash,

you can be injured.

Use extra care when driving on

slippery surfaces.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Towing a Trailer

Towing Safety

Your vehicle will not stop as quickly
with a trailer in tow. Leave extra distance between your vehicle and
other vehicles. Avoid braking or
turning suddenly. This could cause
the trailer to jackknife or possibly
turn over.
Keep in mind that your total vehicle
is now much longer. Leave more
room when making turns. The trailer
tracks a smaller arc than the vehicle
and can hit or run over something
that the vehicle misses. When
passing another vehicle, make sure
the trailer is clear before changing

lanes.
The vehicle/trailer combination is
more affected by crosswinds andbuffeting. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed and steer straight ahead. If there is
too much wind buffeting, slow down
to get out of the other vehicle's air

turbulence.

Towing a trailer puts an extra load on your vehicle. You should have
your vehicle serviced according to the "Maintenance Schedule undersevere driving conditions" on page 166. This extra load is magnified when
you are driving in hilly terrain.
Watch the temperature gauge closely when climbing hills. If it gets
near the hot area, turn off the airconditioning (if it is on). If this does
not reduce the heat, it may be
necessary to pull to the side of the
road and wait for the engine to cool. If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears, put it in D3. This will help prevent the transmission from
overheating. Help keep the brakes
from overheating by shifting to a
lower gear when going downhill.
If you have to stop while going uphill,do not hold the vehicle in place by
pressing on the accelerator. This can cause the automatic transmission to
overheat. Use the parking brake or
footbrake.

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If Your Engine Overheats

The pointer of your vehicle's temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.It may go higher if you are driving up
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you shoulddetermine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam orspray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators. 2. If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turnoff the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Emergency Brake............................ 84
Emergency Flashers....................... 63
Emission Controls......................... 261

Engine

Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 57
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 53, 242
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 53, 240
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 238
Specifications............................. 254
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 259
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 261
Exhaust Fumes................................ 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.........................................17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 220
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 222

Fan, Interior...................................... 92

Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 91
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 121 Filters

Air................................................187

Oil................................................175

First Gear, Shifting........................ 142 5-speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 184
Shifting the................................. 134
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 63
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 229
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183
Brake...........................................185
Clutch..........................................186

Manual Transmission............... 184
Power Steering........................... 186

Windshield Washer................... 182

FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 105

Folding Rear Seat............................ 79

Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 260 Four-way Flashers........................... 63

Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 250

Fuel..................................................120

Fill Door and Cap....................... 121
Gauge............................................ 57
Octane Requirement................. 120

Oxygenated................................ 259

Reserve Indicator......................... 55
Tank, Filling the......................... 121

Fuses, Checking the...................... 245

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 125
Gasohol........................................... 259
Gasoline.......................................... 120 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 55
Gauge............................................ 57Octane Requirement................. 120
Tank, Filling the......................... 121
Gas Station Procedures................. 121

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 57

Fuel................................................57

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 137

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 134
Glass Cleaning............................... 223
Glove Box......................................... 74ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 206
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 63

Headlights
Aiming......................................... 205

Daytime Running Lights............. 60
High Beam Indicator................... 60
High Beams, Turning on............ 60
Low Beams, Turning on ............. 60
Reminder Chime.......................... 60
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 206

Turning on.................................... 60

Head Restraints............................... 77
Heating and Cooling........................ 92
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 133
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 60
High-mount Brake Light............... 213

Hood, Opening the ........................ 122

Horn................................................... 59

Hot Coolant, Warning About........ 177
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 186
Hydroplaning.................................. 151 Identification Number, Vehicle.... 252
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 250
Ignition Keys............................................... 68
Switch............................................ 70
Timing Control System............. 262
Immobilizer System......................... 69
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 51
Infant Restraint................................ 19 Inflation, Proper Tire ....................
197

High Speed
Driving................... 257
Normal Driving.......................... 198
Inside Mirror.................................... 83
Inspection, Tire.............................. 198
Instrument Panel............................. 50
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 61
Interior Cleaning............................ 222
Interior Lights.................................. 89
Introduction.........................................

i

Jacking up
the Car......................... 231
Jack, Tire........................................ 230

Jump Starting................................. 236

Keys................................................... 68

Label, Certification........................ 252
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 61
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 40Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 47
Learning Key.................................... 69
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 206
Indicator........................................ 51

Parking.......................................... 60

Turn Signal................................... 61
Loading Cargo................................ 128
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 71
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Index

Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 71
Fuel Fill Door............................. 121
Glove Box.....................................74

Power Door.................................. 72

Trunk............................................
73

Low Coolant
Level......................... 124
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 134
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 55
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 53, 240
Lubricant Specifications Chart........................................... 254
Luggage.......................................... 128
Maintenance................................... 159 Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171

Record................................. 169 - 170

Required Indicator....................... 58
Schedule............................. 162 -

168

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp ... 53,

242

Manual Transmission.....................
134

Manual Transmission

Fluid .......... 184
Maximum Allowable Shift
Speeds................................. 135, 142
Meters, Gauges................................ 56
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 259
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 83

Moonroof.......................................... 82
Closing Manually....................... 244
Operation...................................... 82
Neutral Gear Position.................... 139
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 120
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 135
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i Numbers, Identification................ 252
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 120Odometer.......................................... 56

Odometer, Trip................................ 56

Oil Change, How to ......................... 175
Change, When to....................... 164
Checking Engine....................... 123
Pressure Indicator............... 53, 240 Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 174
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 71
Opening the Hood ......................... 122
Opening the Trunk.......................... 73
Operation in Foreign Countries... 260 Outside Mirrors............................... 83
Overheating, Engine..................... 238
Panel Brightness Control............... 61
Park Gear Position......................... 138 Parking............................................ 144
Parking Brake.................................. 84
Parking Lights.................................. 60
Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System.............................. 262
Polishing and Waxing ................... 221

Power
Door Locks................................... 72

Mirrors.......................................... 83

Steering.......................................186

Windows....................................... 80
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 17ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Protecting Adults............................. 10
Additional Safety Precautions.... 17
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 17

Protecting Children......................... 19
Protecting Infants........................ 27
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 31
Using Child Seats with Tethers......................................38
Radiator Overheating.................... 238
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 100

Rear End Towing........................... 250

Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 211

Rear Seat Access ............................. 76

Rear Seat, Folding........................... 79

Rear View Mirror............................. 83
Rear Window Defogger.................. 63
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 75
Recommended Shift Speeds ........ 135
Reminder Lights.............................. 51
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 187
Coolant........................................ 179 Engine Oil and Filter................. 175

Fuses...........................................245

Light Bulbs................................. 206
Schedule..................................... 164
SparkPlugs................................. 188
Timing Belt................................. 196 Tires............................................ 200
Wiper Blades.............................. 193
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash.............................................42

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 124

Restraint, Child................................ 19

Reverse Gear Position................... 138

Rotation, Tire................................. 200

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

Safety Features.................................. 5
Airbags.......................................... 43Door Locks..................................... 9

Head Restraints............................. 8

Seat Belts........................................ 6

Seats & Seat-Backs........................ 8

Safety Labels, Location of.............. 48

Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information.. 40
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 40

Seat Belts............................................ 6

Cleaning...................................... 223
Maintenance................................. 42
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 52
System Components.................... 40
Tether Attachment Points.......... 38
Use During Pregnancy................ 17
Seat Heaters..................................... 78

Seats, Adjusting the......................... 75

Sequential SportShift Mode......... 139
Serial Number................................ 252
Service Intervals............................ 164
Service Manual* ............................ 271
Service Station Procedures .......... 121
Setting the Clock............................. 85
Shifting
The Automatic Transmission .. 137
The 5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 134
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 136
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