fuel HONDA PRELUDE 2000 Owner's Manual (in English)

2000 Prelude Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
........................ 97
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................125
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .139
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................167
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take yo ur vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
..................................................... .227
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................235
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .261
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................273
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................279
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Instrument
s an d Control s
This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 52
Indicator Lights................................ 53

Gauges.............................................. 58
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer..................................
58
Odometer...................................... 58

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

Fuel Gauge...................................
59

Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Maintenance Required
Indicator...................................

60
Controls Near the Steering

Wheel........................................
61

Headlights....................................
62
Daytime Running Lights............. 62
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 63
Turn Signals................................. 63
Windshield Wipers...................... 64
Windshield Washers................... 65
Hazard Warning........................... 65
Rear Window Defogger.............. 65
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 66
Steeling Wheel Controls................ 67
Cruise Control.............................. 67
Keys and Locks................................ 70
Keys............................................... 70
Learning Key................................ 71
Immobilizer System..................... 71
Ignition Switch............................. 73
Power Door Locks.......................74
Lockout Prevention..................... 75
Remote Transmitter ...................
. 75

Trunk...........................................

78
Glove Box..................................... 79
Seat Adjustments............................ .
80
Front Seat Adjustments.............. 80
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment............................... 81

Rear Seat Access......................... 81

Head Restraints........................... 82
Seat Heaters..................................... 83

Folding Rear Seat............................ 84
Power Windows............................... 85

Moonroof.......................................... 87

Mirrors..............................................

88
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 8
8

Parking Brake.................................. 89

Digital Clock..................................... 90

Beverage Holder..............................
91
Console Compartment.................... 92
Coin Box.......................................... .
93
Accessory Power Socket................ 93

Ashtrays............................................ 94
Interior Lights.................................. 94
Ceiling Lights............................... 94

Courtesy Lights........................... 95
Instrument s an d Control s

Indicato
r Light s

Trunk-ope n Indicato r
This light comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly.
Door-ope n Indicato r
This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly.
High Bea m Indicato r
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 62 for
information on the headlight

controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 62). Lo
w Fue l Indicato r
This indicator is located in the fuel gauge. It comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon. "Daytim
e Runnin g
Lights " Indicato r

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) withthe headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release the parking brake. If it comes on atany other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There mayalso be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
Instrument s an d Control s

LO
W FUE L INDICATO R
DRL

Gauges

TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETE R
FUEL GAUG E

TEMPERATUR E
GAUG E
ODOMETE
R
MAINTENANC E

REQUIRE D INDICATO R
TRI
P METE R
RESE T BUTTO N

Speedomete r

U.S. Models

This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).

Canadian Models

This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph). Tachomete
r
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. Odomete
r
The odometer shows the total dis- tance your car has been driven. Itmeasures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models. It is illegal under U.S. federal law andCanadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.

Tri p Mete r

This meter shows the number of miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. To
reset it, push the trip meter reset
button.

Instrument s an d Control s
TRI
P METE R

Gauges

Fue l Gaug e
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly 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 theignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignition switch back ON (II). Temperatur
e Gaug e
This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severedriving 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 246 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.

Instrument s an d Control s

FUE
L GAUG E
TRI
P METE R
SPEEDOMETE
R
TACHOMETE R
TEMPERATUR E
GAUG E MAINTENANC
E
REQUIRE D INDICATO R
ODOMETE
R TRIP METE R
RESE T BUTTO N

Key
s an d Lock s

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 car's Immobilizer
System. It must not be used in your
car's ignition switch. Store the learn- ing key with the key number plate in
a safe place. If you attempt to use the learning
key to start your car'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 car to your Honda dealer.

Remote Transmitter

Your car also comes with two remote transmitters; see page 75 for an
explanation of the operation. Immobilize
r Syste m
The Immobilizer System protects your car from theft. A properly-coded ignition key must be used in
the ignition switch for the engine tostart. If an improperly-coded key (or
other device) is used, the engine's
fuel system 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.

CONTINUED

Instrument s an d Control 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

Service Statio n Procedure s
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks severaltimes. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page 250).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches. Openin
g th e Hoo d
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hoodrelease handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly. 2. Standing in front of the car, put
your fingers under the front edgeof the hood to the right of center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle. Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lift the hood.
Befor e Drivin g HOOD
RELEAS E HANDL E
LATCH