maintenance HONDA PRELUDE 1998 Service Manual

Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering

Clutch System

The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system inspected as soon as possible. Power Steering
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement. However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maintenance
MAX

MIN

LOWER

LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

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Air Cleaner Element
The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendationsin the maintenance schedule.
Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Honda dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation. Replacement
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger'sside of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four hold-down clamps and remove the air cleaner
housing cover.
AIR CLEANER

ELEMENT

2. Remove the old air cleaner element.
Clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp rag.
3. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
4. Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, snap the four hold-down
clamps back into place.

Maintenance

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Spark Plugs

The spark plugs in your vehicle are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. They only need to be
replaced every 7 years or 105,000
miles (168,000 km), whichever
comes first.
Replacement

1. Remove the four nuts, then remove the plug wire cover.
2. Clean up any dirt and oil around the spark plug caps. 3. Remove the spark plug cap by
pulling it straight out.
4. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.

Maintenance
SPARK PLUG
CAP

NUTS
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Spark Plugs

5. Put the new spark plug into the socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not

crossthread it.
6. Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
13 lbf .
ft (18 N .
m, 1.8 kgf .
m)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

7. Install the spark plug cap.
8. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the plug wire cover and
tighten the four nuts.

Maintenance

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Spark Plugs, Battery
Specifications: NGK: PZFR6F-11
DENSO: PKJ20CR-L11

Spark Plug Gap:
0.043 in (1.1mm )

Battery
Check the condition of your vehicle's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and for corrosion on the terminals.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors.

Maintenance
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Battery
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the terminals with a solution of bakingsoda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion. If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative ( —) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the vehicle's electrical system.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
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Battery

If your vehicle's battery is discon-
nected or goes dead, the audio system will disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio you will see "Code" in the frequency display.Use the Preset buttons to enter the
five-digit code (see page 117).

Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your vehicle's electronic controls. Detach
the battery cables before connecting
the battery to a charger.

Maintenance

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Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find
these signs, or they leave streaks and unwiped areas when used.
To replace the blade:1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
Raise the driver's side first, then
the passenger's side. 2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm by pushing inthe lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WIPER ARMS

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Wiper Blades
3. Remove the blade from its holder by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabscome out of the holder. 4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcementstrips from the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade. 5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield.Lower the passenger's side first,
then the driver's side.
Maintenance
BLADE
BLADE

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Air Conditioning System
Your vehicle's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualified mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning 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 conditioning 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 con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the system with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 255.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER

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