engine HONDA PRELUDE 2000 (in English) User Guide

Key
s an d Lock s

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 71).
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. Powe
r Doo r Lock s
Each door has a master door lock switch. This 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.
Instrument s an d Control s

Sea
t Heater s
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 by
pushing the opposite side of theswitch lightly. The indicator will turn

off.
In HI, the heater turns off when the
seat 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 the

seats 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, i
f the engine is
left idling for an extended period.

They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
Instrument s an d Control s

SEA
T HEATE R

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

Ven t Control s
You can adjust the direction of the
air coming from the dashboard vents

by moving the tab in the center of
each vent up-and-down and side-to-

side.
The vents in the corners of the

dashboard can be opened and closed

with the dials underneath them. Ho
w to Us e th e Syste m
This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

CENTE
R VEN T

Open

SID
E VEN T

Close

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control lever is all the way to
the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode.
When the interior has cooled down to a more comfortable temperature, close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 59 ) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn off the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.

To Heat

To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control lever.
To Heat and Dehumidify with Air

Conditioning

Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and Fresh Air mode.
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the mixture of heated andcooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outsidetemperature is above 32°F (0°C).

CONTINUED

Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Heatin
g an d Coolin g

To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car 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 cold
days), 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 window defroster 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.
T
o Tur n Everythin g Off

To shut off the system temporarily, slide
the fan speed an
d 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 upenough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Befor
e Drivin g
Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggageor packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this
section first.
Break-in Period.............................. 126

Gasoline.......................................... 126

Service Station Procedures .......... 127 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 127

Opening the Hood..................... 128

Oil Check................................ 130
Engine Coolant Check.......... 131

Fuel Economy................................ 132
Vehicle Condition...................... 132
Driving Habits............................ 132
Accessories and Modifications.... 133
Accessories................................. 133Modifications............................. 134
Additional Safety Precaution.... 134

Carrying Cargo.............................. 135

Load Limit.................................. 136

Carrying Items in the Passenger Compartment......................... 136

Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or
on a Roof Rack....................... 137

Before Drivin g

Break-i
n Period , Gasolin e

Break-i n Perio d

Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid

acceleration.

Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300

km).

You shoul
d follow these
same re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the

brakes are relined.
Gasolin
e

Your Honda is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
If you are unable to find premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice aslight decrease in power as a result.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead willdamage your car's emissions In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system performance may deteriorate andthe Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact yourauthorized Honda dealer for service.
Befor e Drivin g

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Fillin g th e Fue l Tan k

1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes.Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off. Donot try to "top off" the tank, leavesome room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board refueling vapor recovery system to helpkeep fuel vapors from going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pump
keeps clicking off even though the
tank is not full, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.
CONTINUED

Befor e Drivin g
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keepheat, sparks, and flame awayHandle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
FUEL FIL L CA P

Pul
l

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Oil Check

Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few
minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Befor e Drivin g
DIPSTIC
K

Service
Statio n Procedure s

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark, see Addin g Oi l on page 181.
Engine Coolant Check

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Addin g
Engin e Coolan t on page 185 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Check s on page 179 for information
on checking other items in your

Honda.

Before Drivin g

UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

RESERVE TAN K
MA
X

MI N