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

Protectin
g Childre n

I f Yo u Mus t Driv e wit h Severa l
Childre n
Your car has two seating positions in the back seat where children can be
properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
two children in your car: Place the largest child in the front
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page 37). Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page 13). Have the child sit upright and well
back in the seat (see page 19). Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page 17). I
f a Chil d Require s Clos e
Attentio n
Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires

attention.

Placing a child in the front seat
exposes the child to hazards from
the airbag, and paying close attention to a child distracts thedriver from the important tasks of
driving, placing both of you at risk.
If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front. Additiona
l Safet y Precautio n

Do not leave children alone in your

vehicle. Leaving children without

adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces, and can be very hazardous. For example,
infants and small children left in a
vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. And children left alone
with the key in the ignition can accidentally set the vehicle in motion,
possibly injuring themselves or others.
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t You r Sea t Belt s

Sea t Bel t Syste m Component s

Your seat belt system includes lap/ shoulder belts in all four seating

positions.

The seat belt system alsoincludes a light on the
instrument panel to remind you and
your passengers to fasten your belts. If the driver's seat belt is not
fastened before the ignition is turned ON (II), the light will come on and a
beeper will also sound. The beeper
will stop after a few seconds, but the
light will stay on until the driver's seat belt is fastened.
Lap/Shoulde
r Bel t

This seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder, across yourchest and across your hips. To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is

latched.

To unlock the belt, push the red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar. After exiting the car, be sure the belt is out of the way and
will not get closed in the door.
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t You r SR S

SR S Component s

Your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes: Two front airbags. The driver's
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked "SRS
AIRBAG." Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, the airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with thesystem (see page 47). Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. Ho
w You r Airbag s Wor k
If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors
will detect rapid deceleration and signal the control unit to instantly
inflate the airbags.
During a crash, your seat belt helps
restrain your lower body and torso.
Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your headand chest.
Driver an d Passenge r Safet y
CONTINUED

Additional Informatio n Abou t You r SR S

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r
Ligh
t
Work s
The purpose of the SRSlight is to alert you to a
potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that the system is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any
other time, you should have the system checked by your dealer. For

example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after

you
turn the ignition
ON

(II).
If the light
stays on after the
engine starts. If the light comes on or flashes on
and off while you drive.
If you see any of these indications,
your airbags may not deploy when
you need them. See your Honda dealer as soon as possible. SR
S Servic e
Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and
there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have
your car serviced if:
Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must
be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself.
This must be done by a Honda dealer or a knowledgeable body

shop.
The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Take your car to an
authorized Honda dealer as soon
as possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inflate when you need them (see
page 45).
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

SRS

Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags do not inflate when needed.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a potential problem.

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

Sea t Bel t Reminde r Ligh t

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengersto protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat

belt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do.
Both the ligh
t and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.

* The U.S. Type SH instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.
Instrument s an d Control s MALFUNCTIO
N
INDICATO R LAM P SUPPLEMENTA
L
RESTRAIN T
SYSTE M
INDICATO R PARKIN
G BRAK E AN D
BRAK E SYSTE M INDICATOR *
ACTIV E TORQU E TRANSFE R
SYSTE M INDICATO R
ANTI-LOC K BRAK E
SYSTE M INDICATOR *
TRUNK-OPE
N
INDICATO R
DOOR-OPE N
INDICATO R
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTE M INDICATO R
LO W OI L PRESSUR E
INDICATO R
CHARGIN G SYSTE M
INDICATO R HIG
H BEA M
INDICATO R
SEA
T BEL T
REMINDE R LIGH T LO
W FUE L
INDICATO R
CRUIS E CONTRO L
INDICATO R

Indicator Light s
Supplementa l Restrain t
System Indicato r
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 47.
Immobilize r Syste m
Indicato r
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blinkand the engine will not start (see
page 71).
This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0). Chargin
g Syste m
Indicato r
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 249.
Lo w Oi l Pressur e
Indicato r
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 248.
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lam p
See page 250.
Cruis e Contro l Indicato r
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page 67 for information
on operating the cruise control.
Parkin g Brak e
an d Brak e
System
Indicato r
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage thebrakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engine
is running, or comes on while driving, it can indicate a problemin the brake system. For complete
information, see page 251.
Instrument s an d Control s
SRS
CRUISE
CONTRO L
U.S. Canad a
BRAKE

Indicato
r Lights

U.S .


Anti-lock Brak e
Syste m (ABS )
Indicato r
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned toSTART (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the
car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete information, see

page 156.
Activ
e Torqu e Transfe r
Syste m (ATTS ) Indicato r
Type SH only

This indicator normally comes o
n for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the Active
Torque Transfer System (ATTS). If this happens, take the car to yourdealer to have it checked. With the
indicator on, your car will corner
normally, but you will not have active
torque transfer. Tur
n Signa l an d
Hazar d Warnin g
Indicator s
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 218). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on the outside of the car should flash.
Instrument s an d Control s

Canad
a

AB S

ATTS

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

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