steering HONDA PRELUDE 2000 (in English) Owner's Guide

Driv
e Belts , Timin g Bel t

Driv e Belt s
Check the condition of the two drive
belts. Examine the edges of each belt for cracks or fraying.Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys. The belts should have the following
"play" or deflection.

Alternator belt:
0.37 — 0.49 in (9.5 — 12.5 mm)
Power steering belt:
0.53 — 0.65 in (13.5 — 16.5 mm)
If you see signs o
f wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace the belts.
Timin
g Bel t

The timing belt and balancer belt should normally be replaced at the
intervals shown in the maintenance schedule.
Replace these belts at 60.000 miles (U.S.) or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions: In very high temperatures

(over 110°F,43°C).

In very low temperatures
(under — 20°F, — 29°C).

Maintenanc e
POWE
R STEERIN G BEL T
ALTERNATO R BEL T

Tire
s

Tir e Rotatio n
To help increase tire life and distribute wear more evenly, youshould have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the chart each time they are rotated. When shopping for replacement
tires, you may find that some tiresare "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in onedirection. If you use directional
tires, they should be rotated only

front-to-back.

Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s
The tires that came with your car were selected to match the perform- ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long life.
You should replace them with radial tires of the same size, load range,speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and steering accuracy. It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire canseriously affect your car's handling.
Maintenanc e
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and stability. This can cause a crashin which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.

Fron
t Fron
t

(Fo r Non-directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels )(Fo
r Directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels )

Emergenc
y Towin g

If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I) so the steering wheel docs not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.

The steering system can he damaged if

the steering wheel is locked. Leave the

ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns

freely before you begin towing.
Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

Inde
x

Accessories and Modifications.... 133
Accessories................................. 133

Additional Safety Precautions.. 134Modifications............................. 134
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 73

Accessory Power Socket................ 93
Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS)
Indicator............................... 56, 157
Operation.................................... 157

Adding
Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 191
Brake Fluid................................. 193
Clutch Fluid................................ 194

Engine Coolant........................... 185

Engine Oil................................... 181

Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192
Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 190
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42

Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About

Your SRS...................................45

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

How Your Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 182
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 213

Head Restraints........................... 82

Mirrors..........................................
88

Seats.............................................. 80

Steering Wheel............................ 66

Airba
g (SRS).................................... 45

Air Cleaner Element...................... 195

Air Conditioning............................... 98
Maintenance............................... 202

Usage............................................. 98

Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 100
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 205 High Speed Driving................... 206
Normal Driving.......................... 206 Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 268
Antifreeze....................................... 185

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

Indicator Light.................... 56, 156Operation....................................

15 4

Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock...............................................

73

Appearance Care...........................
227

Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 94
Audio System.................................

106

Automatic Speed Control................ 6
7

Automatic Transmission............... 144 Capacity, Fluid...........................
264
Checking Fluid Level................

191

Sequential SportShift Mode..... 147
Shifting........................................
145
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145

Shift Lock Release..................... 151

CONTINUED

Inde
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Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 249
Jump Starting............................. 244 Maintenance............................... 198
Specifications............................. 265
Before Driving............................... 125
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 91
Body Repair.................................... 233

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 154
Break-in, New Linings .............. 126

Fluid............................................ 193

Light, Burned-out....................... 219

Parking..........................................89

System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 153
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 154
System Indicator.................. 56, 156
Braking System.............................. 153
Break-in, New Car......................... 126
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 219
Brake Lights............................... 219
Ceiling Lights............................. 223
Courtesy Lights......................... 223
Front Parking Lights................. 216
Front Side Marker Lights......... 217
Headlights.................................. 214
High-mount Brake Light.......... 221
License Plate Light.................... 222
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 219
Specifications............................. 265
Trunk Light................................ 224
Turn Signal Lights..................... 218
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 214

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 244

Capacities Chart............................. 264

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Cargo, Loading............................... 135

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 122

Operation.................................... 119
CAUTION, Explanation of ............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 114
CD Player........................................ 112
Certification Label......................... 262
Chains............................................. 210
Change Oil How to......................................... 183
When to....................................... 172
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 237
Changing Engine Coolant............. 187
Charging System Indicator .... 55, 249
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 191
Battery Condition...................... 198
Brake Fluid................................. 193 Clutch Fluid................................ 194
Drive Belts.................................. 204
Engine Coolant........................... 131

Engine Oil................................... 130

Fuses...........................................254
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192

Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Checklist, Before Driving............. 140

Child Safety...................................... 21

Cleaner, Air.................................... 195

Inde
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Emergency Brake............................ 89
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 258
Emission Controls......................... 270
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 59

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 250
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 248
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 181
Overheating................................ 246

Specifications............................. 264

Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 268
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 270
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior. Cleaning the................... 228
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 230

Fan, Interior...................................... 98

Features, Comfort and
Convenience.................................
97

Filling the Fuel Tank.....................
127

Filters
Air................................................ 195

Oil................................................ 183

First
Gear, Shifting........................ 150
5-speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 192

Shifting the................................. 142

Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65

Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 237

Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 191
Brake........................................... 193

Clutch.......................................... 194

Manual Transmission............... 192

Power Steering........................... 194

Windshield Washer................... 190
FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 110

Folding Rear Seat............................ 84
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 269
Four-way Flashers........................... 65

Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 258

Fuel.................................................. 126
Fill Door and Cap....................... 127
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 126

Oxygenated................................ 268

Reserve Indicator......................... 57

Tank, Filling the......................... 127

Fuses, Checking the...................... 254
Gas Mileage. Improving................ 132

Gasohol........................................... 268

Gasoline.......................................... 126
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57

Gauge............................................ 59

Octane Requirement................. 126

Tank, Filling the......................... 127

Gas Station Procedures................. 127

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 59

Fuel................................................ 59

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 144
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 231
Glove Box......................................... 79

Index
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 73
Fuel Fill Door............................. 127Glove Box..................................... 79
Power Door.................................. 74
Trunk............................................ 78
Low Coolant Level......................... 131
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 142
Low Fuel Indicator .......................... 57
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 55, 248
Lubricant Specifications
Chart........................................... 264
Luggage.......................................... 135
Maintenance................................... 167
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 179
Record.................................. 177-178
Required Indicator....................... 60
Schedule.............................. 170-176
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .. 55, 250
Manual Transmission.................... 142
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 192
Maximum Allowable Speeds................................. 143, 150
Meters, Gauges................................ 58
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 268
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 88
Moonroof.......................................... 87
Closing Manually....................... 252
Operation...................................... 87
Neutral Gear Position.................... 147
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 126
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 143
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 262
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 126
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 58
Oil Change, How to ......................... 183
Change, When to....................... 172
Checking Engine....................... 130
Pressure Indicator............... 55, 248
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 182
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 73
Opening the Hood ......................... 128
Opening the Trunk.......................... 78
Operation in Foreign Countries... 269
Outside Mirrors............................... 88
Overheating, Engine..................... 246
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 146
Parking............................................ 152
Parking Brake.................................. 89 Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 272
PGM-FI System.............................. 271
Polishing and Waxing................... 229
Power
Door Locks................................... 74
Mirrors.......................................... 88
Steering....................................... 194
Windows....................................... 85
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19

Inde
x

Shift Lock Release......................... 151

Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 217

Signaling Turns................................
63

Snow Tires...................................... 210

Solvent-type Cleaners....................
228

Sound System................................. 106

Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 236

Specifications............................. 265

Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 196

Specifications Charts ...........

264, 265

Speed Control................................... 67

Speedometer....................................
58

SRS, Additional Information........... 45 Additional Safety Precautions.... 48How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

HowYour Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

SRS Service................................... 4

7

SRS Indicator.............................. 47, 55
START
(Ignition Key Position)..... 73

Starting the Engine........................ 141

In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 141 With a Dead Battery................. 244
Steam Coming from Engine......... 246
Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 66

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 73

Stereo Sound System.................... 106

Storing Your Car............................ 225
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45
Servicing....................................... 47

SRS Indicator......................... 47, 55

Synthetic Oil................................... 182

Tachometer...................................... 58

Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 219
Taking Care of the
Unexpected................................ 235

Tape Player..................................... 119

Technical Descriptions

Emission Control Systems........ 270

Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 272
Temperature Gauge........................ 59

Tether Attachment Points.............. 40

Three Way Catalytic Converter... 272
Time, Setting the............................. 90

Timing Belt..................................... 204

Tire Chains..................................... 210
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 237
Tires................................................ 205
Air Pressure............................... 205Checking Wear.......................... 206

Compact Spare........................... 236

DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 266
Inflation....................................... 205

Inspection................................... 206

Maintenance............................... 207

Replacing.................................... 208
Rotating....................................... 208

Snow............................................ 210

Specifications............................. 265

Tire Chains................................. 210
Winter Driving........................... 209

Tools,Tire Changing.................... 237

Towing
ATrailer...................................... 160

Emergency................................. 258

Inde
x

Transmission Checking Fluid Level,Automatic...............................
191

Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 192

Flui
d Selection............................ 191

Identification Number............... 262
Shifting the Automatic.............. 144
Shifting the Manual................... 142
Treadwear...................................... 266

Trip Meter........................................ 58

Trunk................................................. 78
Opening the.................................. 78

Open Monitor Light.................... 57

Turn Signals..................................... 63
Underside, Cleaning...................... 232
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 235

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 266

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 126

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 230
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 184 Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 136
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 264
Vehicle Identification Number..... 262 Vehicle Storage.............................. 225
Ventilation...................................... 100

VTN.................................................. 262

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 230
Viscosity, Oil................................... 182
Warning Beepers Headlights on............................... 62

Key in Ignition.............................. 73

Seat Belts........................................ 8

WARNING, Explanation of..............

ii

Warning Labels, Location of.......... 5
0

Warranty Coverages*................... 277
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 190
Operation...................................... 65
Washing.......................................... 228
Waxing and Polishing................... 229 Wheels

Adjusting the Steering................ 66

Alignment and Balance............. 207
Compact Spare........................... 236

Wrench....................................... 238
Windows Cleaning...................................... 231
Operating the Power................... 85
Rear, Defogger............................ 65

Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 64
Defroster................................... 104
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 200

Operation...................................... 64

Worn Tires..................................... 206
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 258
* U.S. and Canada only

Service
Informatio n Summar y
Gasoline :

Premium unleaded gasoline,

pump octane number of 91 or

higher.

Fue l Tan k Capacity :
15.9 US gal (60 l ,13.2 Imp gal)
Recommende d Engin e Oil :
API Service SJ "Energy
Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30

viscosity (see page 181).

Oil change capacity (including

filter):

5.1 US qt(4.8 l , 4.2 Imp qt)
Automati c Transmissio n Fluid :
Honda Premium Formula

Automatic Transmission Fluid
preferred, or a DEXRON ®
III ATF

as a temporary replacement (see
page 191).
5-spee
d Manua l Transmissio n

Fluid :

Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ, SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary

replacement (see page 192).

Capacity (including differential):
Type SH 2.2 US qt (2.1 l ,1.8 Imp qt)
Except Type SH 2.0 US qt (1.9 l ,1.7 Imp qt)
Powe r Steerin g Fluid :
Genuine Honda Power Steering
Fluid preferred, or another brand

of power steering fluid as a

temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 194).
Brak e Fluid :
Genuine Honda DOTS Brake Fluid
preferred, or a DOT 3 or DOT 4

brake fluid as a temporary

replacement (see page 193). Tir
e Pressur e (measure d cold) :

Front/Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm2)

Spar e Tir e Pressure :

60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2)