ignition HONDA PRELUDE 1998 User Guide

Gauges
Fuel Gauge

This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may showslightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II). Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of theengine's coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 238 for
instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling

system.

Instruments and Controls

TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER
TRIP METER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE ODOMETER

MAINTENANCE

REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights. Turning the switch to the
position turns on the headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver's door.
To change between low beams and high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 55). To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will comeon and go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever back, nomatter what position the headlightswitch is in.
Daytime Running Lights (Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. Theyremain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Windshield Washers
To clean the windshield, pull back on the wiper control lever. The washersspray until you release the lever.
The wipers run at low speed while you're pulling the lever, thencomplete one more sweep of the
windshield after you release it.
Hazard Warning

Push the red button to the left of the
clock to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This causes all four outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled. Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger will clear fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to turn it on and off. The light in the
button lights to show the defogger ison. If you do not turn it off, thedefogger will shut itself off after
about 25 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you restart the vehicle.
Instruments and Controls
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Keys and Locks
Keys

Your vehicle comes with two kinds of keys: a master key and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle:
Ignition

Doors

Trunk Trunk release handle
Rear seat trunk access
Glove box The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk, trunk release handle,
rear seat trunk access and the glove
box locked when you leave your
vehicle and the valet key at a parking facility.
You should have received a key number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever have to get a lost key replaced. Keep the plate stored in a safe place. If you
need to replace a key, use only
Honda-approved key blanks.
These keys contain electronic circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the circuits are damaged. Protect the keys from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity. Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them. Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi- ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries. Do not try to take them apart.
Instruments and Controls
LEARNING

KEY

(Red)

MASTER

KEY

(Black)

VALET

KEY

(Gray)

KEY

NUMBER

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Keys and Locks

Learning Key

You should also receive a small case containing a learning key. It is used
by the Honda dealer to code replace-
ment keys to your vehicle'sImmobilizer System. It must not be
used in your vehicle's ignition switch.
Store the learning key with the key
number plate in a safe place. If you attempt to use the learning
key to start your vehicle's engine, it
may cause a malfunction in the system that makes your master and
valet keys unusable. If this happens,
you should contact your Honda
dealer.

If you need a new key made, take the
key number plate, the learning key, and all other keys that came with
your vehicle to your Honda dealer. Immobilizer System
The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle from theft. A properly- coded ignition key must be used in
the ignition switch for the engine to start. If an improperly-coded key (or
other device) is used, the engine'sstarting circuit is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on for a few seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key, contact your Honda dealer.
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Keys and Locks

This indicator will also blink several times when you turn the ignition switch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
The system may not recognize your key's coding if the key is in contact
with a key from another immobilizer system. If you have a key from
another vehicle's immobilizer system,
keep it separate.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Honda dealer.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
way not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.This device complies with DOC rules in

Canada.

Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering column. It has
four positions:
LOCK (0)
ACCESSORY (I)
ON (II) START (III)

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Keys and Locks

LOCK (0) — You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key in
slightly as you turn it. If your vehicle
has an automatic transmission, it must also be in Park. The anti-theft
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key. If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to
the right as you turn the key. ACCESSORY (I) — In this position,
you can operate the audio systemand the accessory power socket.
ON (II) — This is the normal key
position when driving. All features and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
from ACCESSORY to ON (see page
51).
START (III) — Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key's coding (see page 69).

You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition switch in the LOCK (0) or

ACCESSORY (I) position and open the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.

Instruments and Controls

Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving

locks the steering. This can

cause you to lose control.

Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when

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Keys and Locks

Power Door Locks

Each door has a master door lock
switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks both doors. Push the switch down to lock both doors and up to

unlock them.
Each door has a lock tab next to the

inside door handle. When you push

in the lock tab on the driver's door,

both doors lock. Pulling out the lock

tab on the driver's door only unlocks

that door. The lock tab on the

passenger's door only locks and

unlocks that door.
To lock the passenger's door when
getting out of the vehicle, push the
lock tab in and close the door. To
lock the driver's door, remove the
key from the ignition switch and
push the lock tab in or push the
master switch down, then close the
door.

Both doors can be locked from the
outside by using the key in either

door.

To unlock only the driver's door from the outside, insert the key in
the driver's door lock, turn the key
and release it. If you turn the key
and hold it, both doors will unlock.
Both doors will unlock when you
unlock the passenger's door with the
key.
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Keys and Locks

Lockout Prevention

If you forget and leave the key in the
ignition switch, Lockout Prevention
will not allow you to lock the driver's door. With the driver's door open
and the key in the ignition, both
master door lock switches are
disabled.

However, if the driver's door is not open, the master door lock switches
are not disabled. Pushing the switch
down on the open passenger's door
will lock both doors. If you try to lock an open driver'sdoor by pushing in the lock tab, the
tabs on both doors pop out. Pushing
in the lock tab on the passenger's door only locks that door.
Trunk

You can open the trunk in two ways:
Pull the trunk release handle to
the left of the driver's seat. Use the master key to open the
trunk lock. The valet key does not
work in this lock.
To close the trunk, press down on

the trunk lid.

See page 129 for cargo loading and

weight limit information. Keep the

trunk lid closed at all times while
driving to avoid damaging the lid,
and to prevent exhaust gas from

getting into the interior. See Carbon
Monoxide Hazard on page 47.

Instruments and Controls
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TRUNK RELEASE
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Seat Heaters
On Canadian models

Both front seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat

reaches a comfortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm. The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it off. To
turn the heater off, push theopposite side of the switch lightly.
The indicator will turn off.
In HI, the heater turns off when theseat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat's temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature

changes.
Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat theseats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats feel warm.
The HI setting draws large amounts of current from the
battery. Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
left idling for an extended period.
They can weaken the battery, causing hard starting.

Instruments and Controls
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