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1. 15 Tighten the wheel nuts securely in the same crisscross pattern Have the wheel nut torque check ed at the nearest automotive service facility Tighten the wheel nuts to 110 N m 11 kg m 80 lb ft 16 Remove the wheel cover or center cap Place the flat tire face down in the trunk well 17 Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt turn it over and put it back on the bolt 18 Secure the flat tire by screwing the wing bolt back into its hole 19 Store the jack in its holder with the end bracket facing to the rear Turn the jack s end bracket to lock it in place Replace the cover Store the tool kit 20 Store the wheel cover or center cap in the trunk Taking Care of the Unexpected 189 If Your Engine Won t Start Diagnosing why your engine won t start falls into two areas depending on what you hear when you turn the key to START III e You hear nothing or almost nothing The engine s starter motor does not operate at all or operates very slowly e You can hear the starter motor operating normally but the engine does not start up and run 190 Taking Care of the Unexpected Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates Very Slowly When you turn the ignition switch to START III you do not hear the normal noise of the engine trying to start You may hear a clicking sound or series of clicks or nothing at all Check these things e Check the transmission interlock I
2. 42 Windshield Washers 42 Steering Wheel Adjustment 43 Steering Wheel Controls 44 Cruise Control 44 HOM ie a 47 Keys and LockS eseeeeeeeeeee 47 KGS ini netic cadres 47 Ignition Switch 47 DOOM LOCKS AE 48 Power Door LOCKS eee 48 MUNK es reena 50 Seat Adjustment eees 51 Rear Seat ACCESS 52 Additional Driver s Seat Adjustment eeeeee 53 Seat Heaters eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 54 Folding Rear Seat 0 0 55 Hazard Warning sesceeeeeee 56 Rear Window Defogger 56 Power WINOWS eeeeeeceeeeeees 57 SUNOG socre ta newnseieln teens 58 MiUrrOVr 0 cc2cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 59 Parking Brake 61 Glove BOM sceccesceeeeeeeeseeseeeeeees 62 Digital CIOCK eeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 63 Center Console Compartment 64 Vanity Mirror eeen 64 Cigarette Lighter ee 65 ASN AY eiiaoe 65 Interior Lights 66 29 Instruments and Controls Control Locations DOOR LOCK POWER WINDOW DIGITAL CLOCK HEATING SWITCH SWITCH P 63 COOLING P 49 P 57 CONTROL P 68 SE SEN ae SIN MIRROR CONTROLS P 60 AUDIO SYSTEM P 75 84 FUEL FILLER DOOR RELEASE P 100 TRUNK RELEASE HOOD RELEASE HANDLE HANDLE P 50 P 101 30 Instruments and Controls Indicator Lights The instrument pa
3. Dimensions Capacities Approx 60 8 15 9 US gal 13 2 Imp gal Radiator coolant Change 3 5 amp 0 92 US gal 0 77 Imp gal 5 speed 3 8 8 1 00 US gal 0 84 Imp gal Track Front Automatic 3 4 8 0 90 US gal 0 75 Imp gal 1 515 mm 59 6 in 3 7 8 0 98 US gal 0 81 Imp gal Total 7 1 1 88 US gal 1 56 Imp gal Weights 5 speed 7 4 8 1 96 US gal 1 63 Imp gal See the certification label atta z Automatic 7 0 8 1 85 US gal 1 54 Imp gal ched to the driver s door jamb 7 3 8 1 93 US gal 1 61 Imp gal Engine oil Change 3 8 2 4 0 US qt 3 3 Imp qt Engine Including fitter 4 3 8 4 5 US qt 3 8 Imp qt Type Water cooled 4 stroke Without fitter 3 5 2 3 7 US qt 3 1 Imp qt SOHC DOHC 4 cylinder 4 0 8 4 2 US qt 3 5 Imp qt gasoline engine Total 4 9 8 5 2 US qt 4 3 Imp qt 85 0 x 95 0 mm 3 35 x 3 74 in 5 4 815 7 US at 4 8 Imp at 87 0 x 95 0 mm 3 43 x 3 74 in 5 speedtrans Change 1 9 8 20 US qt 1 7 Imp at 2 259 cm 137 8 cu in Automatic trans Change 2 4 2 2 5 US qt 2 1 Imp gt 88 1 mission fluid Total 6 0 2 6 3 US at 5 3 Imp qt 9 8 1 Windshield US Cars 2 5 8 2 6 US qt 2 2 Imp qt See spark plug maintenance washer reservoir Canadian Cars 4 5 2 4 8 US qt 4 0 Imp qt section page 152 1 Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine 1 US S Canada S Reserve tank capacity 2 US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 0 6 amp
4. Polishes Polishes and cleaner waxes can restore the shine to paint that has oxidized and lost some of its shine They normally contain mild abrasives and solvents that remove the top layer of the finish You should use a polish on your Honda if the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax Cleaning tar insects etc with removers also takes off the wax Remember to re wax those areas even if the rest of the car does not need waxing Aluminum Wheels Clean your Honda s aluminum alloy wheels as you do the rest of the exterior Wash them with the same solution and rinse them thoroughly The wheels have a protective clear coat that keeps the aluminum from corroding and tarnishing Using harsh chemicals including some commercial wheel cleaners or stiff brushes can damage this clear coat Only use a mild detergent and soft brush or sponge to clean the wheels Appearance Care 177 Exterior Care Paint Touch up Your dealer has touch up paint to match your car s color The color code is printed on a sticker on the driver s door jamb Take this code to your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color 178 Appearance Care TOUCH UP PAINT Inspect your car for chipped or scratched paint every time you wash it Repair it as soon as possible to prevent corrosion Use the touch up paint on small chips and scratches More extensive damage should be repaired by a professi
5. Reclining the seat back can decrease the protection you get from your seat belt in a crash You can slide under the seat belt and be seriously injured Adjust the seat back to an upright position and sit well back in the seat Rear Seat Access To tilt the front seat back forward pull up on the release lever This lever is on the side of each seat back You can also tilt the seat back forward by pulling up the seat back angle adjustment lever Seat Adjustments Additional Driver s Seat Adjustments The driver s seat in the Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and the SR and SR 4WS models in Canada has additional features They are lumbar support adjust ment fine adjustment of seat back angle and seat back angle memory Lumbar Support Vary the lumbar support by moving the lever on the right side of the seat back Fine Adjustment of Seat back Angle Adjust the seat back angle to the desired position with the adjust ment lever on the outside of the seat bottom Then use the fine adjustment lever at the base of the seat back to change the angle a small amount to suit your prefer ence Move the lever forward and backward CONTINUED Instruments and Controls 53 Seat Adjustments Seat Heaters Seat back Angle Memory After you have adjusted the seat back angle press the MEMORY button This retains the setting so the seat back will return to that position after you
6. US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS Gear Maximum speeds 31 mph 50 km h 56 mph 90 km h 77 mph 124 km h 101 mph 162 km h Top speed Automatic Transmission Your Honda s transmission has four forward speeds and is electro nically controlled for smoother shifting It also has a lock up torque converter for better fuel economy You may feel what seems like another shift when the con verter locks Shift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission This display is on the instrument panel It shows you the position of the shift lever It also indicates a possible problem in the transmis sion if the D4 indicator light flashes The shift lever has seven positions It must be in Park or Neutral to start the engine When you are stopped in D4 Ds 2 1 or R press firmly on the brake pedal and keep your foot off the accelerator pedal To shift from Press the brake pedal and press the release button Press the release button Shift the lever Park P This position mechani cally locks the transmission Use Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine To shift out of Park you must press on the brake pedal and have your foot off the accelerator pedal Press the release button on the side of the shift lever to move it You must also press the release button to shift into Park To avoid transmission damage come to a complete stop before
7. 4 The coolant level should be up to the base of the filler neck Add coolant if it is low 5 Put the radiator cap back on Tighten it fully 6 Pour coolant into the reserve tank Fill it to halfway between the MAX and MIN marks Put the cap back on the reserve tank Do not add any rust inhibitors or other additives to your car s cooling system They may not be compatible with the coolant or engine components Replacing Coolant The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with new coolant according to the time and mileage recommendations in the maintenance schedule Only use recommended antifreeze Draining the coolant requires access to the underside of the car Unless you have the tools and knowledge you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic Cooling System 1 Slide the heater temperature control lever to maximum heat Open the hood Make sure the engine and radiator are cool to the touch 2 Remove the radiator cap 3 Loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator The coolant will drain through the splash guard Remove the drain bolt from the engine block RESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK CAP HOLDER 4 Remove the reserve tank from its holder by pulling it straight up Drain the coolant then put the tank back in its holder 5 When the coolant stops draining tighten the drain plug in the bottom of the r
8. 86 Comfort and Convenience Features STEREO INDICATOR ST will be displayed next to the fre quency if the station is broadcast ing in FM stereo The AM stereo feature is not available Audio System Si SR You can use any of three methods to find radio stations on the selected band TUNE SEEK or the Preset buttons The TUNE function lets you finda desired frequency Push the TUNE SEEK switch up to change to a higher frequency and down to change to a lower frequency To change the frequency up or down a single increment push and release the TUNE SEEK switch AUTO wegen C EJECT _ AOSELECT TUNE SEEK SWITCH The SEEK function searches the band for stations with a strong sig nal Depending on which way you push the TUNE SEEK switch the system searches up or down from the current frequency Push the switch until you hear a beep then release it The system searches until it finds a station with a strong PRESET BUTTONS signal then stops If you do not want to listen to that station push TUNE SEEK again Comfort and Convenience Features 87 Audio System Si SR Presetting The preset buttons allow you to store radio frequencies for later selection Each button will store one frequency on the AM band and two on the FM band by pushing FM1 and FM2 To store a frequency 1 Select the desired band AM or FM FM1 and FM2 lets you store two fre
9. Atlantic Zone Honda Canada Inc 800 Windmill Road Dartmouth N S B3B 1L1 902 468 4416 Customer Relations 219 Authorized Manuals Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals U S only The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm Incorporated either by filling out the attached form or for credit card holders calling the toll free phone number on the form For manuals prior to the year shown below contact Helm Incorporated P O Box 07280 Detroit Michigan 48207 or call 1 800 782 4356 Publication Form Number Form Description 1992 Prelude Service Manual 1992 Preiude Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 1992 Prelude Body Repair Manual 1992 Prelude Owner s Manual 61SS000 61SSO00EL 31SS0604 Order Form for Previous Years Indicate Year and Model Desired Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation Valid only for sales within the U S Canadian owners should contact thier authorized Honda dealer ORDER TOLL FREE 1 800 782 4356 NOTE For Credit Card Holder Orders Only Monday Friday 8 00 A M 6 00 P M EST MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE 10 00 OR By completing this form you can order the materials desired You can pay by check or money order or charge to your credit card Mail to elm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form Prices
10. Things like coffee or a cold shower don t speed up the process If you see friends trying to get behind the wheel after drinking stop them Drive them yourself or arrange other transportation If you think you are interfering remem ber that your interference will keep them from sharing the road with you Carbon Monoxide Hazard Your car s exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas You should have no problem with carbon monoxide entering the car in normal driving if you maintain your car properly Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever e The car is raised for an oil change e You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust e The car was in an accident that may have damaged the under side Carbon monoxide gas is toxic Breathing it can cause uncon sciousness and can even kill you Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to carbon monoxide High levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly in enclosed areas such as a garage Do not run the engine with the garage door closed Even with the door open run the engine only long enough to move the car out of the garage With the trunk lid open air flow can pull exhaust gas into the trunk This can get into your car s interior and create a hazardous condition If you must drive with the trunk lid open open all the windows and set the heating and cooling system as shown in the next column If you must sit in your parked ca
11. ing in FM stereo The AM stereo feature is not available CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features 77 Audio System S You can use any of three methods to find radio stations on the selected band TUNE SEEK or the Preset buttons Use the TUNE bar to change the frequency in small increments Push the right side A to tune to a higher frequency and the left side V to tune to a lower frequency Press and release to change the frequency to the next number Press the TUNE bar and hold it to go to a frequency that is far away The frequency display will begin to count rapidly It will stop counting when you release the bar TUNE BAR The SEEK function searches the band for stations with a strong sig nal Depending on which way you push the SEEK switch the system searches up or down from the current frequency Push the switch then release it The system searches until it finds a station with a strong signal then stops If you 78 Comfort and Convenience Features SEEK SWITCH do not want to listen to that station push SEEK again Audio System S Presetting The preset buttons allow you to store radio frequencies for later selection Each button will store one frequency on the AM band and one on the FM band To store a frequency 1 Select the desired band AM or FM 2 Use the TUNE or SEEK func tion to tune the radio to a desired station 3 Pick the Preset button you
12. n Cm CE Ce Ca The ABS is self checking If anything goes wrong the ABS indi cator on the instrument panel comes on see page 34 This means the Anti lock function of the brak ing system has shut down The brakes still work like a convention al system providing normal stop ping ability You should have the dealer inspect your car as soon as possible 118 Driving The ABS works by comparing the speed of the wheels When re placing tires use the same size originally supplied with the car Tire size and construction can affect wheel speed and may cause the system to work inconsistently A car with ABS may require a longer distance to stop on loose or uneven surfaces than an equivalent car without Anti lock The ABS cannot make up for road conditions or bad judgment It is still your responsibility to drive at reasonable speeds for weather and traffic conditions and to leave a margin of safety For a technical description of the Anti lock brake system hardware refer to page 208 Four Wheel Steering The Si 4WS and SR 4WS models feature an electronically controlled system that steers the rear wheels as you steer the front wheels It uses the car s speed angle of the front wheels and the rate that you turn the steering wheel to steer the rear wheels in the appropriate direction and angle Four Wheel Steering Driving in Bad Weather At very slow speeds the rear wheels steer in the opposi
13. 3 Turn the lock ring counterclock wise about one quarter turn to unlock the headlight bulb 4 Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its recess Install the new bulb with the electrical connector pointing down Make sure all three tabs on the bulb are seated in their slots in the headlight Turn the lock ring clockwise to lock the bulb in place Do not force the ring Check the seating of the bulb s tabs if the ring will not return to its original position Reinstall the harness connector on the bulb connector Make sure it locks in place Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb 8 Passenger s side Reinstall the radiator reserve tank ol O 5 Replacing a Parking Light Bulb 1 Use a phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw from the top of the fender 2 Move the parking light assembly forward until it slides out of the body 3 Turn the socket one quarter turn counterclockwise to remove it from the lens CONTINUED Maintenance 165 Lights 4 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms 5 Insert the socket back into the lens Turn it clockwise to lock it in place 6 Turn on the parking lights to make sure the new bulb works 7 To reinstall the light assembly in the fender line up the fingers on the light assembly with the holes in the fender Push the light assembly straight back 8 In
14. 30 000 Mi or 24 Mo 60 000 km 37 500 Mi or 30 Mo t 72 000 km 45 000 Mi or 36 Mo Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp 131 Maintenance 12 000 km Sign or Stamp Km Mi 84 000 km 7 500 Mi 3 52 500 Mi or 6 Mo A N or 42 Mo Date 24 000 km Sign or Stamp Km Mi 96 000 km 15 000 Mi i 60 000 Mi or 12 Mo fovceerceeneenceerceeennernsse scene or 48 Mo i Date ae E a 36 000 km Sign or Stamp i Km Mi 108 000 km 22 500 Mi i 67 500 Mi or 18 Mo feerripsdoiddisdree drsati or 54 Mo 120 000 km 75 000 Mi or 60 Mo 132 000 km 82 500 Mi or 66 Mo Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp Sign or Stamp 144 000 km 90 000 Mi or 72 Mo Sign or Stamp R Replace Inspect After inspection clean adjust repair or replace if necessary Service at the interval listed x 1 000 km or miles or 36 48 60 72 84 after that number of months whichever comes first x 1 000 miles _ 22 5 30 375 45 52 5 x 1 000 km 12 24 75 15 6 12 months Emission Related 18 ji 24 30 36 o6 108 120 132 144 60 675 75 825 90 48 54 60 66 72 42 Air cleaner element RI a msia Idle speed and idle CO E G R System Evaporative emission contr
15. 41 Lap Shoulder Belts 006 6 Leaking of Exhaust into Car 29 Lighter Cigarette 0 ee 65 Lights Bulb Replacement 0 164 ale o lt 0 eee 31 Parking iiiar iniussu 40 Turn Signal 41 Loading Cargo seseeseeeeeeeeeeeee 106 LOCK Ignition Key Position 47 Locks Anti theft Steering Column 47 Fuel Filler Doov 0 100 Glove BOX ceceeeeeeeeeeeees 62 Power DOO0 cseceseeeeee 48 TUNK ioeo ees 50 Low Coolant Level 2 06 139 Lower Gear Downshifting to a 112 Low Oil Pressure Light 33 195 Lubricant Specifications Chart 206 LUQQAGEC ceeeceeeceereeererererenersners 106 Maintenance 127 Periodic It MS cccceeeeeeeeee 133 Record aienea 131 132 Schedule osian 128 129 Manual Transmission 111 Manual Transmission Fluid 145 Maximum Shift Speeds 112 115 Meters Gauges 37 Methanol in Gasoline 0 98 Mirrors Adjusting eeeee 59 Neutral Gear Position 114 New Vehicle Break in 0 98 Normal Shift Speeds 111 NOTICE Explanation of ii Numbers Identification 204 LO Occupant Protection System 4 CONTINUED 227 Index Octane Requirement Gasoline 98 OCOMEHEN AE 37 Odometer Trip seeeeeeeeeeeeees 37 Oil Change HOW t0 137 Chang
16. add fluid into the tube to bring it to the upper mark Use Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON II Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF only 6 Insert the dipstick back in the transmission The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid every 24 months or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first Transmission Oil 5 Speed Transmission Correct Check the oil level a couple of mi nutes after shutting off the engine Make sure the car is on level ground Remove the transmission filler bolt The oil level should be up to the edge of the bolt hole Feel inside the bolt hole with your finger If you do not feel any oil slowly add oil until it starts to run out of the hole Reinstall the filler bolt and tighten it securely Only use an SF or SG grade motor oil with a weight of 10W 30 or 10W 40 The transmission should be drained and refilled with new oil every 24 months or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first Maintenance 145 Brake and Clutch Fluid Brake and Clutch Fluid Check the fluid level in the reser voirs monthly There are up to three reservoirs depending on model They are Brake fluid reservoir all models Clutch fluid reservoir 5 speed transmission only e ABS reservoir Si and Si 4WS models in U S and SR and SR 4WS models in Canada The brake fluid in the brake and Anti lock brake systems shoul
17. eae CG 4 H EOC OE E LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT The low oil pressure light should never come on when the engine is running If this light comes on with the engine running take immediate action NOTICE Running the engine with low oil pressure can cause serious mechani cal damage almost immediately Turn off the engine as soon as you can safely get the car stopped 1 Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine 2 Let the car sit for a minute Open the hood and check the oil level see page 135 Although oil level and oil pressure are not directly connected an engine that is very low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving maneuvers 3 If necessary add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the dipstick see page 135 4 Start the engine and watch the oil pressure light If the light does not go out within ten seconds turn off the engine There is a mechanical problem that needs to be repaired before you can continue driving See Towing on page 202 Taking Care of the Unexpected 195 Charging System Indication ny ee ee F ier ie o oe GE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT The charging system light should go out after the engine starts If it comes on brightly with the engine running the alternator is no longer charging the battery 196 Taking Care of the Unexpected Immediately turn off all electrical accessories radi
18. ee Ee A I I I Front and rear wheel alignment For 4WS model H ttt it tty I I Steering operation tie rod ends Except4WS model 1f I steering gear box and boots For 4WS model I I I I including rear actuator for 4WS model i Power steering system in Fa Fa na Suspension mounting bolts L E E E I I I Severe Driving Conditions The services are Items with an IR or L in the chart will need service Clean the air cleaner element every 24 000 km 15 000 miles or 12 months and replace more often if you drive in some servere conditions every 48 000 km 30 000 miles or 24 months under condition B or E Replace engine oil and oil filter every 6 000 km 3 750 miles or 3 months under condition A The conditions are B or F A Repeated short distance driving Replace transmission oil every 24 000 km 15 000 miles or 12 months under condition F B Dusty conditions Inspect front brake discs and calipers and rear brake discs calipers and pads every 12 000 C Severe cold weather km 7 500 miles or 6 months under condition A B D E or F D Areas with road salt or other corrosive materials Inspect the power steering system every 12 000 km 7 500 miles or 6 months under E Rough or muddy roads condition B C or E F Towing a trailer Maintenance 129 130 Required Maintenance Record Have your servicing dealer record all Required Maintenance below Keep receipts for all work done on your car 48 000 km
19. it does not spill as you drive Corrosion Protection Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car 1 Moisture trapped in body cavi ties Dirt and road salt that col lects in hollows on the underside of the car stays damp promoting corrosion in that area 2 Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and underside of the car Many corrosion preventive mea sures are built into your Honda You can help keep your car from corroding by performing some simple periodic maintenance e Repair chips and scratches in the paint as soon as you discover them Corrosion Protection Body Repairs e Inspect and clean out the drain holes in the bottom of the doors and body e Check the floor coverings for dampness Carpeting and floor mats may remain damp for a long time especially in winter This dampness can eventually cause the floor panels to corrode e Use a high pressure spray to clean the underside of your car This is especially important in areas that use road salt in winter It is also a good idea in humid climates and areas subject to salt air Cars equipped with ABS have a sensor and wiring at each wheel Be careful not to damage them e Have the corrosion preventive coatings on the underside of your car inspected and repaired periodically Body Repairs Body repairs affect your car s resistance to corrosion If your car needs repairs after a collision pay clos
20. level is low if it remains lit after you release the parking brake or comes on while driving This is normally due to worn brake pads Have your dealer check the braking system for worn pads or fluid leaks Instruments and Controls 33 Indicator Lights Supplemental Restraint System Indicator Only on cars equipped with SRS The SRS light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition ON Il If it doesn t or it stays on after the engine starts something is wrong with the Supplemental Restraint System It may also flash on and off to indi cate a problem If you see any of these indications the airbag may not work when needed in an accident Take the car to your dealer promptly for diag nosis and service 34 Instruments and Controls ABS Anti lock Brake System ABS Indicator Only on cars equipped with ABS see page 117 This light normally comes on when you turn the ignition ON II and goes off after the engine starts If it comes on at any other time there is a problem in the ABS If this happens stop the car in a safe place and turn off the engine Reset the system by restarting the engine Watch the ABS light If it does not go off or comes back on again while driving 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 US Canada Check Engine Light This light comes on for a few seconds when you turn
21. near the top of the dashboard under alid marked SRS Do not place any objects on top of this lid If the airbag inflates those objects can be propelled inside the car and possibly hurt someone 14 Driver and Passenger Safety SRS How the SRS Indicator Light Works The purpose of the SRS light on your instrument panel is to alert you of a potential problem with your supplemental restraint system Have the system checked if e The light does not come on when you turn the ignition ON Il e The light stays on after the engine starts e The light comes on or flashes while you are driving System Service Your supplemental restraint system is virtually maintenance free There are no parts you can safely service You must have the system serviced by an authorized Honda dealer in the following situations e lf your airbag ever inflates The bag must be replaced Do not try to remove or discard the airbag by yourself This must be done by a Honda dealer e If the SRS indicator light alerts you of a problem Have the supplemental restraint system checked as soon as possible Otherwise your airbag might not inflate when you need it e When the car is ten years old get the system inspected The production date is on the driver s door jamb for your convenience Supplemental Restraint System System Service Precautions Do not modify your steering wheel or any other part of the supple mental restrain
22. terminal on your Honda s battery 192 Taking Care of the Unexpected 4 Connect the second jumper cable to the negative terminal on the booster battery Connect the other end to the grounding strap as shown Do not connect this jumper cable to any other part of the engine 5 If the booster battery is in another car have an assistant start that car and run it at a fast idle M i O 0 P A BOOSTER BATTERY 6 Start your car If the starter motor still operates slowly check the jumper cable connections to make sure they have good metal to metal contact 7 Once your car is running disconnect the negative cable from your car then from the booster battery Disconnect the positive cable from your car then the booster battery If Your Engine Overheats Your car s temperature gauge should register in the midrange under most conditions It may register higher if you are driving up a long steep hill on a very hot day If it illuminates the red marker at the right end of the gauge you should determine the reason NOTICE Driving with the temperature gauge s red marker lit can cause serious damage to your engine Your car can overheat for several reasons such as lack of coolant or a mechanical problem The only indication may be the temperature gauge illuminating the red marker Or you may see steam or spray coming from under the hood In either case you shoul
23. the half hour pressing the knob sets the clock back to the previous hour If the displayed time is after the half hour pressing the knob sets the clock forward to the beginning of the next hour For example e 1 06 would RESET backward to 1 00 e 1 52 would RESET forward to 2 00 Instruments and Controls 63 Center Console Compartment Vanity Mirror Center Console Compartment Uy CENTER CONSOLE COMPARTMENT To open the console compartment pull up on the lever on the left front corner of the lid To close lower the lid and push it down until it latches 64 instruments and Controls MASTER KEY Use the master key to lock the console compartment Turn the key clockwise to lock and counter clockwise to unlock Vanity Mirror To use the vanity mirror pull down either sunvisor and swing down the cover Cigarette Lighter Ashtray Cigarette Lighter CIGARETTE LIGHTER The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY I or ON II for the cigarette lighter to work To heat up the lighter push it in It will pop out when it is ready for use Do not hold the lighter in while it is heating up you could cause it to overheat Instruments and Controls Ashtray Open the front ashtray by swinging the lid down To remove it for emptying open the lid then pull the ashtray straight outward NOTICE Use the ashtray only fo
24. 0 16 US gal 0 13 Imp gal x 2 US S Canada S 3 US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 4 Excluding the oil remaining in the engine 206 Technical Information Specifications Lights Headlights Front turn signal lig Front parking lights Rear turn signal lights High mount brake light 2 Stop Taillights 2V 43 3 CP 3496 1 12V_ 45CP Camber Tires Side marker lights Front Back up lig License plate lights Interior lights 12v_ 3CP 168 12V 8W Trunk lights 12V 34W Battery 12V 55AH 5HR Fuses Interior See the fuse label attached to the inside of the fuse box door under the dashboard Underhood See the fuse box cover Size Pressure 0 0 mm 0 00 in 2 0 mm 0 08 in Front Rear Front Rear 185 70R14 87H 205 55R15 87V T125 70D15 T135 80D15 205 kPa 2 1 kg cm 30 psi Spare 220 kPa 2 2 kg cm 32 mai 415 kPa 4 15 kg cm 60 psi 1 US S Canada S 2 US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS Technical Information 207 Anti lock Brake System The Anti lock Brake System ABS is standard equipment on the Prelude Si Si 4WS sold in the U S and SR SR 4WS sold in Canada It is not available on any other models The ABS works by measuring how fast the wheels are turning during braking and
25. Habt eccecceeceeseeeeseeseeeeees 74 To Defrost 0 cecccecceeeeeees 74 To Turn Everything off 74 Audio System S ecceceeeees 75 Adjusting the Sound 76 Operating the Radio ae PreSettinQ eeeceeceseeeeeeseeeeeees 79 Radio Frequencies 80 Operating the Cassette Playor iiaiai 81 Audio System Si SR 0 84 Adjusting the Sound 85 Operating the Radio 86 Presetting s sisi ainisineentacte 88 Radio Frequencies 90 Operating the Cassette Player 91 Cassette Search Functions 92 Caring for the Cassettes Player 94 Theft Protection 0e 95 Comfort and Convenience Features 67 Heating and Cooling This system has full heating ventilation and air conditioning capabilities You can adjust the system controls to mix these in various combinations to create the desired environment The air flows into the interior at three possible levels which you can select S model only A Genuine Honda air conditioning system is available from your dealer It meets Honda s high quality standards and is designed to fit your car If you purchased your car without air conditioning it can be installed at any time Please contact your dealer for more information Air conditioner is optional on S model CENTER VENT Th
26. Low fluid level can indicate a leak in the clutch system Have this system inspected as soon as possible Maintenance 147 Power Steering You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir monthly 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 148 Maintenance NOTICE Using automatic transmission fluid or another brand of power steering fluid will damage the system Use only genuine Honda power steering fluid 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 Air Filter The air filter element should be replaced every 2 years or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first Under severe driving condi tions it should also be cleaned every 12 months or 24 000 km 15 000 miles whichever comes first 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 gas station ask your Honda dealer to do this service Follow the replacement procedure for removal and reinstallation CLAMPS The air filter element is inside the box on the passenger s side of the
27. Maximum speeds 37 mph 60 km h 67 mph 110 km h 99 mph 160 km h Top speed 37 mph 60 km h 66 mph 106 km h 96 mph 154 km h Top speed Shift Lock Release This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normal method of pushing on the brake pedal and pressing the release button does not work 1 Set the Parking brake 2 Remove the key from the ignition switch 3 Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release slot next to the shift lever 4 Push down on the key while you press the release button and move the shift lever out of Park to Neutral BUTTON SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT 5 Remove the key from the Shift Lock Release slot Depress the brake pedal and restart the engine If you need to use the Shift Lock Release it could mean your car is developing a problem Have the car checked by your Honda dealer Driving 115 The Braking System Your Honda is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels The braking system is power assisted to reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal Put your foot on the brake pedal only when you intend to brake Resting your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly causing them to build up heat Heat build up can reduce how well your brakes work It also keeps your brake lights on all the time confusing drivers behind you Constant application of the brakes when going down a long hill builds up heat an
28. Mi Performed Performed i i Date l Maintenance Signor Stamp Km Mi Maintenance Signor Stamp Km Mi Performed i Performed r eeeeeesenseeeerenueneereeneennnenn Date Maintenance Sign or Stamp Km Mi E Maintenance l Sign or Stamp Km Mi Performed Performed Maintenance Sign or Stamp Maintenance Sign or Stamp Performed Performed Date Maintenance Signor Stamp Maintenance Signor Stamp Km Mi Performed i Performed Date Maintenance i Sign or Stamp Maintenance Sign or Stamp i Km Mi Performed Performed 132 Maintenance Periodic Checks You should check the following items at the specified intervals If you are unsure of how to perform any check turn to the page given e Engine oil level Check every time you fill the gas tank See page 102 Engine coolant level Check the radiator reserve tank every time you fill the gas tank See page 103 Windshield washer fluid Check the level in the reservoir monthly If weather conditions cause you to use the washers frequently check the reservoir each time you stop for gas See page 143 Automatic transmission Check the fluid level monthly See page 144 Brakes clutch and power steering Check the fluid level monthly See page 146 e Tires Check the tire pressure monthly Examine the tread for wear and foreign
29. When the indicator in this button is lit the system is recirculating the interior air the Recirculation mode When the indicator is off fresh air is brought in from outside the car the Fresh Air mode Push the 70 Comfort and Convenience Features AIR CONDITIONER FAN CONTROL LEVER ON OFF SWITCH button to change between recircu lated and fresh air Rear Window Defroster Button This button turns the rear window defroster on and off See page 56 Heating and Cooling How to Use the System This section covers the best way to use the system for ventilation cooling dehumidifying defrosting and heating In most cases the mode and air source selections are only recommendations You may prefer different settings Use the Recirculation mode to heat or cool the interior more quickly or to keep out smoke and dust Leaving the system in recirculation mode with the A C off can cause the windows to fog up Switch to the Fresh Air mode as soon as the interior reaches a comfortable temperature or the outside smoky dusty condition clears The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioner to pro vide hot and cold air The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air If the engine is cold it will be sever al minutes before you feel warm air circulating The air conditioner does not de pend on engine temperature It can produce cold air almost immedi ately Controlling Air Flow directio
30. a hill be sure to follow all the normal precautions Turn your front wheels into the curb set the parking brake firmly and put the transmission in 1st or Reverse 5 speed or Park auto matic In addition place wheel chocks at each of the trailer s tires Backing up with a trailer is diffi cult and takes practice Drive slowly make small movements with the steering wheel and have someone stand outside to guide you Grip the steering wheel on the bottom rather than the usual posi tion near the top Move your hand to the left to get the trailer to move to the left and right to move the trailer right Driving 125 Maintenance Regularly maintaining your Honda is the best way to protect your investment You will be rewarded with safer more economical trouble free driving This section lists items that need to be checked regularly and explains how to check them It also details some simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself The maintenance schedules for normal and severe driving conditions show you when these things need to be done If you are interested in how to per form more complex maintenance on your Honda you can purchase the Service Manual See page 221 for information on how to obtain a copy or see your Honda dealer Maintenance Schedule 128 Maintenance Record 131 Periodic CheckS ceee 133 Fluid Locations 134 Engine Oil 135 Checki
31. are subject fo change without notice and without incurring obligation Orders are mailed within 10 days Please allow adequate time for delivery 221 Authorized Manuals NOTE Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should be sent Far purchases outside U S A please wnte to the address shown below jor a quotation Attention Street Address No P O Box Number Apartment Number City State amp Zip Code Dayt me Telephone Number o Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U S funds only Do not send cash o Master D VISA D Check here it your billing address s diterent Card from the shipping address shown above Account Number Expiration Mo Yr CEGh Ree eee CUSTOMER SIGNATURE These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14 days of delivery On returns a restocking fee may be applied against the original order ELM P O BOX 07280 DETROIT MICHIGAN 48207 313 883 1430 222 Service Manual This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components It is written for the Journeyman mechanic but is simple enough for most mechanically inclined owners to understand Electrical Troubleshooting Manual This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in depth troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit i
32. back in place 172 Maintenance Storing Your Car If you need to park your car for an extended period more than 1 month there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to get your car back on the road It is best to store your car indoors if at all possible e Fill the gas tank e Change the engine oil and filter see page 137 e Wash and dry the exterior completely e Clean the interior Make sure the carpeting floor mats etc are completely dry e Leave the parking brake off Put the transmission in Reverse 5 speed or Park automatic e Block the rear wheels If the car is to be stored fora longer period it should be supported on jackstands so the tires are off the ground Leave one window open slightly if the car is being stored indoors Disconnect the battery Cover the car witha breathable car cover one made from a porous material such as cotton Nonporous materials such as plastic sheeting trap moisture which can damage the paint e If possible run the engine for a while periodically preferably once a month If you store your car for 12 months or longer have your Honda dealer perform the inspections called for in the 24 months 48 000 km 30 000 miles maintenance schedule as soon as you take it out of storage see page 133 The replacements called for in the maintenance
33. braking system Any attempt to attach the trailer s brakes to your car s hydraulic system no matter how successful it may seem will lower braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard Always use a safety chain when towing a trailer Connect the safety chain securely at both ends Make sure the chain crosses under the tongue so it will catch the trailer if it becomes unhitched Leave enough slack in the chain so it can t bind in a sharp turn Do not let it drag on the ground Before Starting Out As you are preparing to tow your trailer do the following e Measure the trailer s tongue load You can do this with a bathroom scale e Verify that the hitch and safety chain are securely fastened e Check the condition and air pressure of all tires on the trailer and your car Low tire pressure can seriously affect the handling Also check the spare tires e With everything loaded and the trailer connected check that the rear of the car is not sagging If so redistribute the load in the Car e Check that all lights on the car are working properly Driving 123 Towing a Trailer Towing Safety Your car will not stop as quickly with a trailer in tow Leave extra distance between your car and other vehicles Avoid braking or turning suddenly This could cause the trailer to jackknife or possibly turn over Keep in mind that your total vehicle is now much longer Leave more room when making turns The tra
34. ceeeeeeeeees 166 Signaling TUIns ceceeeeeeeees 41 Snow TII S 2 cecceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 163 Solvent type Cleaners 176 Sound System ecceeeeseeeeeeeeeeees 75 Spare Tire AUNG enana 184 Spark Plugs Replacing Specifications Charts START Ignition Key Position 47 Starting the Engine In Cold Weather at High Altitude With a Dead Battery Steam Coming from Engine Steering Wheel Anti theft Column Lock Supplemental Restraint System Service Precautions System Components Technical Description Tachometel cc ccecceceeceeeeeeee 37 Taillights Changing Bulbs in 169 Taking Care of the Unexpected socsoninninsssn 183 Tape Player eee 81 Technical Descriptions Anti lock Brake System 208 Catalytic Convertet 213 Emission Control Systems 211 Four Wheel Steering 210 Supplemental Restraint Ee E 209 Temperature Gauge 38 Tether Attachment Points 21 Time Setting the eeeee 63 Tire Chains sneakers 163 Tire How to Change a Flat 185 NOS N TE EE 158 Air Pressure 158 Checking Wear 159 Compact Spare eee 184 DOT Tire Quality Grading 161 CONTINUED 229 Index Inflation eenen 158 INSPOCTION ceeeceeeeeeseeeeeeees 159 Replacing esceeceeceeeeeereeees 161 ROLAN eeiscceecrtedeitineeccilinen 160 SMOW 0 eecceecceeceeeeeeeeeseeeeeeenees
35. comparing their speed If any wheel is rotating much slower than the others on the verge of locking up and skidding the system reduces hydraulic pressure to that wheel s brake caliper When that wheel s speed matches the other wheels the system applies normal hydraulic pressure This can take place several times per second at each wheel You feel the ABS working as rapid pulsations in the brake pedal 208 Technical Information Each wheel has a wheel speed sensor assembly As the wheel rotates the sensor sends electrical pulses to the ABS control unit The pulse frequency varies with the wheel speed The electrical output of the ABS control unit is connected to the modulator solenoid unit During braking the ABS control unit monitors the pulse frequencies from the four wheels When the control unit detects a wheel locking up it energizes the appropriate solenoid in the modulator solenoid unit There are three solenoids one for each front wheel and one for the rear wheels The energized solenoid reduces hydraulic pres sure to one side of a modulator valve This in turn reduces hydrau lic pressure in the brake line going to the affected wheel When that wheel speeds up because of the re duced braking effort the control unit de energizes the solenoid This builds hydraulic pressure on the modulator valve The pressure in creases in the hydraulic line to the wheel For the system to react quickly the m
36. component Check those fuses first but check all the fuses before deciding that is not the cause Replace any blown fuses and check the component s operation 1 Turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 Make sure the head lights and all other accessories are off 2 Remove the cover from the fuse box 200 Taking Care of the Unexpected BLOWN 3 Check each of the large fuses in the underhood fuse box by looking through the top at the wire inside Removing these fuses requires a phillips head screwdriver FUSE PULLER 4 Check the smaller fuses in the underhood fuse box and all the fuses in the interior fuse box by pulling out each fuse with the fuse puller provided in the interior fuse box Fuses 5 Look for a burned wire inside the fuse If it is burned out replace it with one of the spare fuses of the same rating or lower If you cannot drive the car without fixing the problem and you do not have a spare fuse take a fuse of the same rating or a lower rating from one of the other circuits Make sure you can do without that circuit temporarily such as the rear window defogger or radio If you replace the burned out fuse with a spare fuse that has a lower rating it might blow out again This does not indicate anything wrong Replace the fuse with one of the correct rating as soon as you can NOTICE Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating gr
37. hard to read contact your Honda RADIATOR CAP dealer for a replacement BATTERY EXPLOSIVE sears TTT A DANGER GEFAHR amp Figs tiag m utiog Datleries ia on enclosed paca KIEP P EE cae ele mp FAN STARTS AUTOMATICALLY iatg re m atta fash t my wih Water fer at lagst 15 ecemtes H 7778 CORCHORSIOT FANON TZ a4 alla physician maeti toy DNE PAS APPROCHER LES MAINS LE DEMARRAGE POISON Anite CKTENMAL tea witt unor TERNAL anua larp emi at DU VENMLATEUR EST OE th witha wipers aa KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILOREN DNICHT BER HREI DISTR RY AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CQ INC GARDENA CA 90247 N K_SELBSTEINSCHALTENDER VENTILATOR Driver and Passenger Safety 27 Instruments and Controls 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 ee 30 Indicator Lights 0 c eee eee 31 GAUOS 37 Speedometet c cceceeeee 37 Tachometer 37 Odometet eeeeeeeseeereereeetees ay Trip Meter eeescesesereceseees 37 Fuel GAUGE ceeeeeeecceeeeeeeeeeees 38 Temperature Gauge 38 Controls Near the Steering Wheel eeceecceeceeteeeeeeeeeeeeees 39 Headlights cccceeeeeeeeees 40 Daytime Running Lights 40 Instrument Panel Brightness 41 Turn Signals 41 Windshield Wipers
38. in the Exhaust 00 cc 211 Cold Weather Starting in 110 Compact Spare eeen 184 Consumer Information 217 Controls Instruments and 29 Coolant AGING EEEE EEEE 139 CHECKING issevezisseeveceveaesevseetszeeatis 139 Proper Solution 139 Temperature Gauge 4 38 Corrosion Protection 180 Crankcase Emission Control DYSON EETA ETET 211 Cruise Control Operation 44 Customer Relations Office 217 DANGER Explanation of ii DashbOatd cccccceeeeseeeseseeeeseees 30 Daytime Running Lights 40 Dead Battery What to Do 191 Defects Reporting Safety 26 Defogger Rear Window 56 Defrosting the Windows 74 DEXRO Il Automatic Transmission Fluid 144 DimensiOn ccceseeceeeeeeeeeees 206 Dimming the Headlights 40 Dipstick Automatic Transmission 144 Engine Oil eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 135 Directional Signals 2 00 41 Disabled Towing Your Car If 202 Disc Brake Wear Indicators 116 Disposal of Used Oll eee 138 Doors Locking and Unlocking 48 Power Door Locks 0 48 DOT Tire Quality Grading 161 Downshifting 5 speed Transmission i11 DI AAYA OTO E EET 107 ECONOM ceceeeeesteeeesteeeeeeeees 10
39. light on the instrument panel comes on This shows the system is now activated The set speed may vary slightly particularly on hills Changing the Set Speed You can increase the set cruising speed in either of two ways e Press and hold the accel RESUME button The car will accelerate slowly When you reach the desired cruising speed release the button e Push on the accelerator pedal Accelerate to the desired cruising speed and press the SET decel button You can decrease the set cruising speed in either of two ways Press and hold the SET decel button The car will decelerate Release the button when you reach the desired speed e Tap the brake or clutch pedal lightly with your foot The CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel will go out When the car slows to the desired speed press the SET decel button The car will then maintain the desired speed CONTINUED Instruments and Controls 45 Steering Wheel Controls Even with the cruise control turned on you can still use the accelerator pedal to speed up for passing After completing the pass take your foot off the accelerator pedal The car will return to the set cruising speed Resting your foot on the brake or clutch pedal will cause the cruise control to cancel Turning off the Cruise Control Either of these actions take the car out of cruise control e Tap the brake or if manual trans mission clutch pedal e Press
40. locks 6 Test the turn signals to make sure the new bulb is working 7 Put the turn signal assembly into the bumper Make sure the tab on the turn signal assembly fits into the bumper slot Tighten the mounting screw 168 Maintenance Replacing a High mount Brake Light Bulb A 1 Remove the cover by pulling it down and sliding it forward 2 Determine which bulb is burned out 3 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms 4 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working 5 Reinstall the cover by sliding it into position and pushing it up Lights Replacing Rear Bulbs 1 Open the trunk and the taillight assembly cover 2 Use a phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws from the bulb holder Remove the holder from the taillight assem bly 3 Try the tail stoplights rear turn signals and back up lights to verify which bulb needs replac ing Remove that bulb from the socket by pushing it in slightly and turning it counterclockwise 4 Install the new bulb in the socket Test it to make sure it works 5 Reinstall the bulb holder assem bly Install the two screws and tighten them securely Maintenance 169 Lights Replacing a Rear Side Marker Light Bulb 1 Use a phillips head screwdriver to loosen the side marker assem bly mounting screw 2 Remove the assem
41. not injure themselves by operating the windows unintentionally 58 Instruments and Controls The power window system has a key off delay function The win dows will still operate for up to ten minutes after you turn off the igni tion Opening either front door can cels the delay function You must turn the ignition on again before you can raise or lower the windows Closing a power window ona child s hands or fingers can cause serious injury Make sure your children are away from the windows before closing them Sunroof Use the switch on the dashboard to open and close the sunroof The ignition must be must be ON Il Push and hold the switch to open the sunroof Release the switch when the sunroof reaches the desired position To close the sunroof press and hold the A switch Sunroof Mirrors The sunroof has a key off delay You can still open and close the sunroof for up to ten minutes after you turn off the ignition The key off delay cancels as soon as you open either front door You must then turn the ignition ON II for the sunroof to operate Closing the sunroof on some one s hands or fingers can cause serious injury Make sure passengers are clear of the sunroof before closing it NOTICE If you try to open the sunroof in below freezing temperatures or when it is covered with snow or ice you can damage the sunroof panel or motor Mirrors
42. number if you have to get a lost key re placed Record this number and keep it in a safe place Instruments and Controls 47 Keys and Locks Ignition Switch The ignition switch is onthe right side of the steering column It has four positions LOCK 0 ACCES SORY I ON II and START III 48 instruments and Controls LOCK 0 You can insert or remove the key only in this position When you turn the key from LOCK to ACCESSORY you may have to turn the steering wheel to release the anti theft lock To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK you must push the key in slightly as you turn it If your car has an automatic transmission it must also be in Park The anti theft lock will lock the steering column when you remove the key Removing the key from the ignition switch while driving locks the steering This can cause you to lose control Remove the key from the igni tion switch only when parked ACCESSORY I In this position you can operate the audio system and cigarette lighter ON II This is the normal key position when driving All features and accessories on the car are usable Several of the lights on the instrument panel come on as atest when you turn the ignition switch from ACCESSORY to ON see page 31 START IlI Use this position only to start the engine The switch returns to ON when you let go of the key You will hear a reminder beeper if you open either fr
43. of aselection These features may not work satisfacto rily on tapes that have almost no gap between songs ahigh noise level between songs or silent peri ods in the middle of songs REPEAT BUTTON Caring For Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems See page 94 for information on cassette care and protection Comfort and Convenience Features 93 Caring for the Cassette Player S model The cassette drive picks up dirt and oxides whenever you play a tape This builds up over time and causes the sound quality to degrade To prevent this you should clean the cassette drive after every 30 hours of use Your dealer has a cleaning kit available for this purpose To remind you a small red light labelled CLEAN comes on every 30 hours of tape use If you are already regularly cleaning the tape drive at least every 30 hours simply push the CLEAN light for five seconds to turn it off If you do not clean the cassette drive regularly it may eventually become impossible to remove the deposits with a normal cleaning kit The cassette player automatically ejects cassettes that do not play normally If it ejects a cassette before it begins to play it is probably defective and should not be inserted again You may have a cassette suddenly stop playing reverse directions once or twice and then eject This is normally an indication the tape is wound unevenly It should play n
44. original Honda part or its equivalent The catalytic converter must ope rate at a high temperature for the chemical reactions to take place It can set on fire any combustible materials that come near it Park your car away from high grass dry leaves or other flammables CATALYTIC CONVERTER A defective catalytic converter contributes to air pollution and can impair your engine s performance Follow these guidelines to protect your car s catalytic converter e Always use unleaded gasoline Even a small amount of leaded gasoline can contaminate the catalyst metals making the converter ineffective e Keep the engine tuned up e Have your car diagnosed and repaired if it is misfiring back firing continuing to run after you turn off the engine stalling or otherwise not running proper ly Technical Information 21 3 Warranty and Customer Relations Warranty Coverages 216 Customer Relations Information 217 U S Zone Office Map 218 Canada Zone Office Map 219 Authorized Manuals 000 221 Warranty and Customer Relations 215 Warranty Coverages U S Cars Your new Honda is covered by these warranties New Car Limited Warranty provides coverage for defects in materials and workmanship for 3 years or 57 600 km 36 000 miles Emission Control Systems De fects Warranty and Emissions Performance Warranty these two warranties cover your car
45. shifting into Park The shift lever must be in Park before you can remove the key from the ignition switch If you have done all of the above and still cannot move the lever out of Park see Shift Lock Release on page 115 CONTINUED Driving 113 Automatic Transmission Reverse R To shift to Re verse from Park see the explana tion under Park To shift to Re verse from Neutral come to a com plete stop and then shift Press the release button before shifting into Reverse from Neutral Neutral N Use Neutral if you need to restart a stalled engine or if it is necessary to stop briefly with the engine idling Shift to Park posi tion if you need to leave the car for any reason Press on the brake pe dal when you are moving the shift lever from Neutral to another gear Drive D4 Use this position for your normal driving The transmis sion automatically selects a suita ble gear for your speed and acceler ation You may notice the transmis sion shifting up at higher speeds when the engine is cold This helps the engine warm up faster 114 Driving Drive D3 This position is simi lar to D4 except only the first three gears are selected Use Ds to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill D3 can also keep the transmission from cycling between third and fourth gears in stop and go driving For faster acceleration when in D3 or D4 you can get the transmission to automatical
46. signal bulbs is burned out see page 164 Replace it as soon as possible since other drivers cannot see that you are signaling When you turn on the Hazard Warning switch both turn signal lights blink All turn signals on the outside of the car should flash High Beam Indicator This light comes on with the high beam headlights See page 40 for information on the headlight controls EJ Low fuel Indicator This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon Cruise Control CONTROL Indicator This lights when you set the cruise control See page 44 for informa tion on operating the cruise control Trunk open Indicator This light comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly Door open Indicator This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly Instruments and Controls 35 Indicator Lights DRL Daytime Running Lights Indicator Canadian models only This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON II with the 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 at any other time it means there is a problem with the DRL There may also be a problem with the high beam headlights 36 Instruments and Controls Shift Lever Position Indicator Automatic Transmission only This indicator shows which shift position you are in If the D4 indicator light flashes wh
47. stale air does not build up in the interior Audio System S AM FM Cassette Stereo Audio System The audio system described here is standard equipment on the S model Your Honda audio system is easy to use and will give clear AM FM reception The preset buttons allow you to select six stations on each band The cassette system uses Dolby B noise reduction to give excellent sound reproduction The system also senses when a metal CrOz2 tape is being played and adjusts accordingly The cassette player features auto reverse for continuous play CASSETTE SLOT TUNE BAR ON VOL KNOB Dolby noise reduction manufac tured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpora tion Dolby andthe oa symbol are trademarks of Dolby Labora tories Licensing Corporation PRESET BUTTONS AM FM BUTTON SEEK SKIP SWITCH 75 Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System S Adjusting the sound Use the Balance and Fader controls to adjust the sound direction The Balance control moves it left to right The Fader control moves it front to back To use either control push onthe knob to get it to pop out Adjust the front to back sound to your liking with the outside ring Adjust side to side sound balance with the knob Push the knob back in when you are done OFAD BAL OBAS e TRE BALANCE BASS CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL FADER TREBLE D T
48. style you select follow the booster seat manufacturer s instructions Storing a Child Seat When you are not using an infant seat or other child restraint either remove it or make sure it is properly secured so it cannot be thrown around the car duringa crash Driver and Passenger Safety 23 Alcohol and Drugs Driving a car requires your full at tention and alertness Traffic condi tions change rapidly You must be able to react just as rapidly Alcohol or drugs directly affect your alert ness and ability to react Even pre scription and non prescription medi cines can have this effect There are laws that deal with drunken driving These laws define how much alcohol it takes in your system to be legally drunk How ever your judgment and reaction time get worse with every drink even the first one 24 Driver and Passenger Safety The safest thing you can do is never drink and drive This can be done if you plan ahead If you know you are going to be drinking make plans to ride with a friend who will not be drinking What if you find that you ve been drinking and cannot get a ride from a friend Find alternative transpor tation Call a taxi Take a bus Many communities have transporta tion services devoted to shuttling people who have been drinking If you have no choice but to drive stop drinking and give yourself lots of time to sober up Time is the only thing that can make you sober
49. system described here is standard equipment on the Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and the SR and SR 4WS models in Canada Your Honda audio system is easy to use and will give clear AM FM reception The preset buttons allow you to select six stations on AM and twelve stations on FM The cassette system uses Dolby B noise reduction to give excellent sound reproduction The system also senses when a metal CrO2 tape is being played and adjusts accordingly The Anti theft feature disables the system if it disconnected from the car s battery To get the system working again you must enter a code number ON OFF VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TUNE SEEK AM FM FF REW TMS BUTTON SWITCH Dolby noise reduction manufac tured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpora tion Dolby andthe og symbol are trademarks of Dolby Labora tories Licensing Corporation 84 Comfort and Convenience Features PRESET BUTTONS Audio System Si SR Adjusting the sound Use the Balance and Fader controls to adjust the sound direction The Balance control moves it left to right The Fader control moves it front to back To use either control push on the knob to get it to pop out Adjust the front to back sound to your liking with the outside ring Adjust side to side sound balance with the knob Push the knob back in when you are done OFADeBAL OBAS e TRE FADER BAL
50. the floor and hold it there while starting the engine Do not hold the ignition key in START Ill for more than 15 seconds When the engine starts release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine speeds up and smooths out 3 If the engine fails to start in step 2 push the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold it there while you try to start the engine for no more than 15 seconds If the engine does not start return to step 2 5 speed Manual Transmission The manual transmission is syn chronized in all forward gears for smooth operation It has a lockout so you cannot shift directly from Fifth to Reverse When shifting up or down make sure you push the clutch pedal down all the way shift to the next gear and let the pedal up gradually When you are not shifting do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal This can cause your clutch to wear out faster Come to a full stop before you shift into reverse You can damage the transmission by trying to shift into reverse with the car moving Depress the clutch pedal and pause for a few seconds before putting it in reverse or shift into one of the forward gears for a moment This stops the gears so they won t grind You can get extra braking from the engine when slowing down by shifting to a lower gear This extra braking can help you maintain a safe speed and prevent your brakes from overheating while going down a steep hill Before downshi
51. the ignition switch ON Il If it comes on at any other time it indicates one of the engine s emission control systems may have a problem Turn to page 167 for information about what to do Brake Lamp BRAKE LAMP Indicator This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON II If this light comes on at any other time it indicates a brake light does not work A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannottell you are braking Have your brake lights repaired right away Indicator Lights Laws Four Wheel Steering System 4WS Indicator Only on cars equipped with electronic four wheel steering This light normally comes on when you turn the ignition ON Il and goes off after the engine starts If it comes on at any other time there is a problem in the 4WS If this happens stop the car in a safe place and turn off the engine Reset the system by restarting the engine Watch the 4WS light If it does not go off or comes back on again while driving take the car to your dealer to have the system checked The 4WS system is disabled with this light on The rear wheels are locked straight ahead and your car steers like a conventional car without 4WS lt a Turn Signal and Hazard Warning Indicators The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane change or turn If the light does not blink or blinks rapidly it usually means one of the turn
52. tilt it forward for rear seat access If you do not press the MEMORY button the seat back will return to about the midpoint of its adjustment range You will then have to readjust the angle to your preference 54 Instruments and Controls Seat Heaters INDICATORS Available only on SR 4WS model in Canada Both front seats are equipped with seat heaters The ignition must be ON II to use them Push the heater switch to turn the power on or off The pilot lamp lights and remains on while the heaters are on Do not use the seat heaters when the engine is off or when idling for a long period of time They can drain the battery making your car hard to start Folding Rear Seat MASTER KEY The back of the right rear seat folds down giving you direct access to the trunk The seat back can be released from inside the car or inside the trunk To fold down the seat back from inside the car insert the master key in the lock on the rear shelf Turn the key clockwise and pull down the top of the seat back RELEASE LOOP To release the seat back from inside the trunk pull the release loop under the rear shelf To lock the seat back upright push if firmly against the rear shelf Make sure it is latched in place by pulling on the top of the seat Make sure all items in the trunk or items extending through the opening into the back seat are tied down Loose items can fly forward and cause in
53. to the fuel pump Check all the fuses see page 199 If you find nothing wrong you will need a qualified technician to find the problem See Towing on page 202 Jump Starting If your car s battery has run down you may be able to start the engine by using a booster battery Although this seems like a simple procedure there are several precau tions you should take Follow the directions closely A battery can explode if you do not follow the correct procedure seriously injuring anyone nearby Keep all sparks open flames and smoking materials away from the battery You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmision by pushing or pulling it To jump start your car 1 Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery see page 152 In very cold weather check the condition of the electrolyte If it seems slushy or like ice do not try jump starting until it thaws NOTICE If a battery sits in extreme cold the electrolyte inside can freeze Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture or explode 2 Turn off all the electrical acces sories heater A C stereo system lights etc Put the transmission in Neutral or Park and set the parking brake CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected 191 Jump Starting 3 Connect one jumper cable to the positive terminal on the booster battery Connect the other end to the positive
54. want for that station Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep 4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total of six stations each on AM and FM TUNE BAR PRESET BUTTONS Once that station s frequency is stored simply press and release the proper preset button to tune to it If you want to change any preset button s selection store another fre quency as described The frequen cies you preset will be lostif your car s battery goes dead or is discon nected SEEK SWITCH Comfort and Convenience Features 79 Audio System S Radio Frequencies Your Honda s radio can tune in all frequencies in both the AM and FM bands Those bands cover these frequen cies AM band 530 kilohertz to 1 710 kilohertz FM band 87 7 megahertz to 107 9 megahertz Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least 10 kilohertz apart 530 540 550 Those on the FM band are assigned frequencies at least 0 2 megahertz apart 87 9 88 1 88 3 Stations must use these exact frequencies It is fairly common for stations to round off the frequency in their advertising so your radio will show a frequency of 100 9 even though the announcer may call the station FM101 80 Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System S Operating the Cassette Player Turn the system ON Insert the cassette into the slot with the tape opening to the right Push the cassette in most of the way The drive w
55. wear unevenly reduce you car s handling and are more likely to fail because of higher temperatures Overinflated tires make your car ride more harshly are more prone to damage from road hazards and wear unevenly Inspection Every time you check inflation you should also examine the tires for damage foreign objects and wear You should look for e Bumps or bulges in the tread or side of the tire Replace the tire if you find either of these condi tions e Cuts splits or cracks in the side of the tire Replace the tire if you can see fabric or cord e Excessive tread wear CONTINUED Maintenance 159 Tires INDICATOR LOCATION TREAD WEAR INDICATORS Your car s tires have wear indica tors molded into the tread When the tread wears down to that point you will see a 12 7 mm 1 2 inch wide band running across the tread This shows there is less than 1 6 mm 1 16 inch of tread left on the tire A tire that is this worn gives very little traction on wet roads You should replace the tire if you can see the tread wear indicator in three or more places around the tire 160 Maintenance Maintenance In addition to proper inflation correct wheel alignment helps to decrease tire wear You should get your car s wheel alignment check ed every 12 months or 24 000 km 15 000 miles The tires were properly balanced by the factory They may need to be rebalanced at some time before they ar
56. window push the switch down and holdit Release the switch when you want the window to stop Close the window by pushing the switch up and holding it DRIVER S WINDOW SWITCH MAIN SWITCH The driver s door has a master power window control panel To open the passenger s window push down on the switch and hold it down until the window reaches the desired position To close the window push up on the window switch Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want The master control panel also con tains these extra features AUTO To open the driver s window fully push the window switch firmly down and release it The window automatically goes all the way down To stop the window from going all the way down push the window switch up briefly To open the driver s window only partially push the window switch down lightly and hold it The window will stop as soon as you release the switch The AUTO function only works to lower the driver s window To raise the window you must push the window switch up and hold it until the window reaches the desired position CONTINUED Instruments and Controls 57 Power Windows Sunroof The MAIN switch controls power to the passenger s window With this switch off the passenger s window cannot be raised or lower ed The MAIN switch does not affect the driver s window Keep the MAIN switch off when you have children in the car so they do
57. 11 5 Speed Transmission Checking Fluid Level 145 CONTINUED 225 Index 5 Speed Transmission Shifting the 2 0 eeeeeeeeereeees 111 Flashers Hazard Warning 56 Flat Tire Changing a se 185 Fluids Automatic Transmission 144 Brake 2 cccceeceeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 146 ElV re a A E ET 147 Manual Transmission 145 Power Steering 148 Windshield Washev 155 FM Stereo Radio ReECEptiOn eeeeeeeeceeeeees 75 84 Folding Rear Seat eee 55 Foreign Countries Driving in 99 Four way Flashers 56 Four Wheel Steering 4WS Description 210 Indicator Light 35 Operation eeeeeeeeeseeeeeees 118 Front End Towing by FRAO UCI E AE EE EE E T Filler Door and Cap 100 FUNG A A E EE 150 GAUGE iiianoe eii 38 Octane Requirement 98 Oxygenated eee 98 Tank Fillingthe 100 Fuses Checking the s e 200 Gas Mileage Improving 104 ETETE plo 2 cece ceed EE AE 98 Gasoline iesi aaie desasdesdenscencgeeaaneeseass 98 E E EE 150 GAUGE ceeeeesee sete eeeteeeeteteeteeeeteeee 38 Octane Requirement 98 Tank Filling the cssc 100 Gas Station Procedures 100 Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature 38 FUG ceceecceeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 38 Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission 112 5 speed Transmission 111 Glass Clea
58. 1992 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 helminc com Contents Owner s Identification Form Introd cti n serseri de aes EEEE EE ETEO EENE E deseuede ae i A Few Words About Sabety iivicisciidsscsccctsiesiiosncdscsevacaness backed sndndacdusbadasdavadaadsuade sacdsaoadecdeabaebsddoadacdeadvance a li Driver and Passenger Safety vviic cissssiccsicccconsvesscodeouswersdancusesdeetevecssceadoususedecdeesa sevedcvadeesdueensveteadtesteeundes 3 Proper use and care of your vehicle s seat belts and Supplemental Restraint System Instruments and Controls s coiiiccicsissccsiidadidsctesecdsseasdadacbasdsgusteacss in dacoseacdades sodpledddevaconcesteoddacssasadiasanaedd 29 Instrument panel indicator and gauge and how to use dashboard and steering column controls Comfort and Convenience Features ccccccc cece nce ecc ence ence ence eeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeesaeecaeese segs eegeeegeees 67 How to operate the climate control system the audio system and other convenience features BefOre Drivi g oc sisccserag a edicaiandeadesantashaatedeasaans bed gah cbadaataige dla daceseatane bed an ilee teadbatacssnades beaten sabeauandoeaeahans 97 What gasoline to use how to break in your new vehicle and how to load luggage and other cargo DiViNo eioi a ee ea iaon riaa ia EE DAE EE A Gab Ghbesdadnd sels sah
59. 212 Technical Information Ignition Timing Control System This system constantly adjusts the ignition timing reducing the amount of HC CO and NOx produced Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR The EGR system takes some of the exhaust gas and routes it back into the intake manifold Adding ex haust gas to the air fuel mixture re duces the amount of NOx produced when the fuel is burned Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter is in the exhaust system Through chemical reactions it converts HC CO and NOx in the engine s exhaust to carbon dioxide COs dinitrogen N2 and water vapor Replacement Parts The emission control systems are designed and certified to work to gether in reducing emissions to levels that comply with the Clean Air Act To make sure the emis sions remain low you should use only new genuine Honda replace ment parts or their equivalent for repairs Using lower quality parts may increase the emissions from your car The emissions control systems are covered by warranties separate from the rest of your car Read your warranty manual for more information Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter contains platinum and rhodium These metals serve as catalysts pro moting chemical reactions to con vert the exhaust gasses without affecting the metals The catalytic converter is referred to as a three way catalyst since it acts on HC CO and NOx A replacement unit must be an
60. 4 In Bad Weathet ceee 119 In Foreign Countries 99 Economy Fuel ecsseeeeeeeees 104 Emergencies on the Road 183 Battery Jump Starting 191 Changing a Flat Tire 185 Charging System Light 196 Check Engine Light 197 Checking the Fuses 200 Low Oil Pressure Light 195 Manually Closing Sunroof 198 Overheated Engine 193 Emergency Brake ccee 61 Emergency Flashers 56 Emission Conttrols ceeeee 211 Engine Check Light 00 34 197 Coolant Temperature Gauge 38 Oil Pressure Light 393 195 Oil What Kind to Use 135 Overheating ccceeeeeeeeeeeseeeees 193 Specifications 206 Ethanol in Gasoline 00 98 Evaporative Emission Controls ccceeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeees 211 Exhaust FUM6S ccseeeeeeeeees 25 Expectant Mothers Use of Seat Belts DY ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeetees 8 Exterior Cleaning the 176 Fabric Cleaning ceesseeee 179 Fan INt riOr ccccecceeceeeeeeeeeeees 68 Fan Radiator ccccccccccccceeeeeeeeees 27 Features Comfort and Convenience 67 Filling the Gas Tank 0 100 Filters Pile ioe teste eeces fees assez aces Ea 149 FUEL EEEE E 150 Qil siaii t37 First Gear Shifting 1
61. 6 000 km 3 750 miles See page 130 for a description of severe driving conditions Cooling System Checking the Coolant Level RESERVE TANK Check the level of the engine coolant by looking at the radiator reserve tank next to the battery If the level is at or below the MIN line add coolant to bring it up to the MAX line This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 antifreeze and 50 water Never add straight antifreeze or plain water Always use Genuine Honda Anti freeze Coolant The cooling system contains many aluminum compo nents which can corrode if an improper antifreeze is used Some antifreeze even though labeled as safe for aluminum parts may not provide adequate protection Adding Radiator Coolant If the reserve tank is completely empty you should also check the coolant level in the radiator Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray out seriously scalding you Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiator cap 4 Make sure the engine and radiator are cool CONTINUED Maintenance 139 Cooling System RADIATOR CAP RESERVE TANK 2 Turn the radiator cap counter clockwise without pressing down on it until it stops This relieves any pressure remaining in the cooling system 3 Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning counterclockwise 140 Maintenance
62. ANCE BASS CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL The illumination for the radio con trols comes on with the instrument panel lights even if the radio is off You can use the Balance control to turn off the radio panel illumina tion even with the radio on Push the control knob so it pops out then pull it out slightly further Check this control if the control panel lights do not come on with the in strument panel lights TREBLE Muli Use the Bass and Treble controls to adjust the tone quality to your liking Push onthe knob to get the controls to pop out Adjust the bass level with the outer ring and the treble level with the knob When finished push the knobs back in so there is less chance of accidentally changing your settings Comfort and Convenience Features 85 Audio System Si SR Operating the Radio The ignition switch must be in AC CESSORY I or ON II to operate the audio system Turn the system on by turning the ON OFF VOL knob clockwise The radio comes on and displays the frequency of the station it was last tuned to The antenna extends automatically The system turns off and the anten na retracts when you turn the igni tion switch to LOCK 0 Adjust the volume by turning the ON OFF VOL knob ON OFF VOL KNOB AM FM BUTTON Select the band you want to listen to by pressing the AM or FM1 FM2 button You will see the selected band and the frequency in the display
63. ANK 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 Adding Coolant on page 139 for information on adding the proper coolant Refer to Periodic Checks on page 133 for information on check ing other items in your Honda Before Driving 103 Fuel Economy The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel mileage you get Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car accord ing to the maintenance schedule This will keep it in top operating condition An important part of that mainte nance is the Periodic Checks see page 133 For example an underinflated tire causes more rolling resistance which uses fuel It also wears out faster so check the tire pressure at least monthly In winter the build up of snow on your car s underside adds weight and rolling resistance Frequent cleaning helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion 104 Before Driving Driving Habits You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately Rapid acceler ation abrupt cornering and hard braking use more fuel Always drive in the highest gear that al lows the engine to run and acceler ate smoothly Depending on traffic conditions try to maintain a con stant speed Every time you slow down and speed up your car uses extra fuel Use the cruise control when appropr
64. ASHU AV ninie ian an 65 Audio SyStem s e eseeeeeeeeeeeeeee eneee 75 Automatic Speed Control 44 Automatic Transmission 112 Capacity Fluid 206 Checking Fluid Level 144 SHING ce ccec cence sree cee tetova 113 Shift Lever Positions 112 Shift Lock Release 115 Battery Charging System Light 33 Jump Starting eee 191 Maintenance eceseeeeee 152 Specifications eee 207 Before Driving s cceeseeeeeeees 97 Belts Seat sissu 4 Body Repair 0 0 teens 181 Brakes Anti lock System ABS 117 Break in New Linings 98 FI E E E E 146 Light Burned out 0 169 ParkiNg asssesnctcescestcesnezeisaaeatiaetece 61 System Light eee 33 Wear Indicators 116 Brakes ABS DeSCriptiOn cece cette 208 Operation eee 117 System Indicator 34 118 Braking System 116 Break in New Caf cccccceeeeee 98 CONTINUED 223 Index Brightness Control INStrUMENHS eee eee eee eeees 41 Brights Headlights 0 e ee 40 Bulb Replacement Back up Lights eee 169 Brake Lights eeeeeee 169 Front Parking Lights 165 Front Side Marker Lights 166 Headlights ececceeeeeeees 164 High mount Brake Light 168 License Plate Lights izi Rear Side Marker Lights 170 Specificat
65. Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best visibili ty Be sure to adjust the mirrors before you start driving The inside mirror has day and night positions The night position reduces glare from headlights behind you Flip the tab on the bottom edge of the mirror to select the day or night position Instruments and Controls 59 Mirrors Adjusting the Power Mirrors SELECTOR SWITCH A Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment switch on the driver s 2 S 1 Turn the ignition switch ON II 2 Move the selector switch to L driver s side or R passenger s side 60 Instruments and Controls 2 3 Push the appropriate edge of the adjustment switch to move the mirror right or left up or down 4 When you finish move the selector switch to the center off position This turns off the adjustment switch so you can t move a mirror out of position by accidentally bumping it The outside mirror on the passen ger s side has curved glass Objects look farther away than they are Use this mirror to get a wide view Don t use it to judge the dis tance of things behind you Mirrors Parking Brake Available on all Canadian models The outside mirrors are heated to remove fog and frost Press the mirror defroster button to turn on the heaters The light in the button comes on as areminder Press the button again to t
66. OC OSCO OO Oar Fuel Gauge This shows how much fuel you have The fuel gauge is fully electronic lighting one of the indicator bars to show the current fuel level It is most accurate when you are driving or parked on level ground The indicated fuel level may vary when you are driving on curved or hilly roads 38 Instruments and Controls As a test all the indicator bars in the fuel gauge light for several seconds when you turn the ignition to ON Il Temperature Gauge The temperature gauge is fully electronic It uses a series of illuminated indicator bars to show the engine coolant s temperature range Under normal driving conditions you will see one of the bars at the display s midpoint In more severe driving conditions such as very hot weather or climbing a long hill the engine may get hot enough to illuminate the white indicator on the right side of the gauge If the red indicator above the H comes on pull safely to the side of the road Turn to page 193 for instructions and precautions on checking the engine s cooling system As atest all the indicator bars in the temperature gauge illuminate when you turn the ignition ON Il Controls Near the Steering Wheel The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving features you use most often The left lever controls the turn signals headlights and high beams The right lever controls the windshield wipers The con
67. WS 15 x 6 5 JJ Tire US S Canada S 185 70R14 87H US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 205 55R15 87V DOT Tire Quality Grading US Cars The tires on your car meet all U S Federal Safety Requirements All tires are also graded for treadwear traction and temperature perform ance according to Department of Transportation DOT standards The following explains these gradings Treadwear The treadwear grade is a compara tive rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under con trolled conditions on a specified government test course For exam ple atire graded 150 would wear one and one half 1 1 2 times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100 The relative per formance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use how ever and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits service practices and differences in road character istics and climate CONTINUED Maintenance 161 Tires Traction The traction grades from highest to lowest are A B and C and they represent the tire s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete A tire marked C may have poor traction performance Warning The traction grade as signed to this tire is based on brak ing straight ahead traction tests and does not include cornering turning traction 162 Main
68. adaa dena AE AE EAS 107 The proper way to start the engine shift the transmission and park plus towing a trailer Maint na t oerien aa ETKEN AEAEE E E A ENE EE AE EES 127 The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer App r nt Car ncia mien E O EAN TOENE sus EA ESTAA sucdstoe veduGee anu SEEE vnsueede er 175 Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs Taking Care of the Unexpected nssenssssssesssesssrsrssssreserssrssstestrsstrsstrsstessersstrsserssteseresresserss 183 This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience and how to handle them Technical Information oeeeeeeseeeeeeesseessreserersessersrsressessressresssessresseossresereseessteseesstesserssersseesseess 203 ID numbers dimensions capacities and technical information Warranty and Customer Relations U S and Canada ccccccceeccseccecceseteseceeceeesaeecaeceseeaaes 215 A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura and how to contact us Authorized Manuals U S Only cccccccc cece cece ence eeceeeeeeeceeecaeeca sees eeeeeeaeeeeeeeee eee eeeeseeeeeeeeaeeeseeegees 221 How to order manuals and other technical literature MV OR spss sess grace ek sate dee dean sates cists Des ae Basaunlen tas eae cen Matign eine Solus awa atte ua us Sot da nad ace ecto ee dhealMtau ave desaensearh eaten I Gas Station Informat
69. adiator Apply non hardening sealant to the drain bolt threads and reinstall the bolt in the engine block Tighten it securely CONTINUED Maintenance 141 Cooling System FILLER NECK Fill up to here 6 Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purified or distilled water in a clean container The cooling system capacity is With 5 speed transmission US S Canada S 3 5 2 0 92 US gal 0 77 Imp gal US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 3 8 2 1 00 US gal 0 84 Imp gal 142 Maintenance With automatic transmission US S Canada S 3 4 2 0 90 US gal 0 75 Imp gal US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 3 7 2 0 98 US gal 0 81 Imp gal 7 Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck 8 Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of the engine Tighten it again when coolant comes out ina steady stream with no bubbles Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck Put the cap on the radiator only tighten it to the first stop Start the engine and let it run until it warms up the radiator cooling fan comes on at least twice Cooling System Windshield Washers RESERVE TANK 10 Turn off the engine Check the level in the radiator add coolant if needed Install the radiator cap tighten it fully 11 Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark Install the reserve tank cap Windshield Washers Check t
70. afety Standards CMVSS for Emissions valid at the time they are manufactured Crankcase Emission Control System Your car has a Positive Crankcase Ventilation PCV System This keeps gasses that build up in the engine s Crankcase from going into the atmosphere The PCV valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intake manifold They are then drawn into the engine and burned Evaporative Emission Control System As gasoline evaporates in the fuel tank a canister filled with charcoal adsorbs the vapor It is stored in this canister while the engine is off After the engine is started and warmed up the vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during driving Technical Information 211 Emission Controls Exhaust Emission Controls The exhaust emission controls include four systems PGM FI Ignition Timing Control Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Catalytic Converter These four systems work together to control the engine s combustion and minimize the amount of HC CO and NOx that comes out the tailpipe The exhaust emission control systems are separate from the crankcase and evaporative emission control systems PGM FI System The PGM FI System on your car has three sub systems Air Intake Electronic Control and Fuel Control The Electronic Control Unit ECU uses various sensors to determine how much air is going into the engine It then controls how much fuel to inject under all operating conditions
71. all a locking clip do the following 1 Place the child restraint in the desired position Route the lap shoulder belt through the restraint according to the seat manufacturer s instructions 22 Driver and Passenger Safety 2 Insert the latch plate into the buckle Pull on the shoulder part of the belt to make sure there is no slack in the lap portion 3 Tightly grasp the belt near the latch plate Pinch both parts of the belt together so they won t slip through the latch plate Un buckle the seat belt 4 Install the locking clip as shown Position the clip as close as possible to the latch plate 5 Insert the latch plate into the buckle Push and pull on the child seat to verify that it is held firmly in place If it is not repeat these steps until the restraint is secure Child Safety Restraining a Child Who Weighs Over 18 kg 40 Ibs We recommend that whenever possible a child who has outgrown a toddler seat ride in the rear seat and use a lap shoulder belt Put the lap shoulder belt on your child and check its fit The shoul der belt should fit over the collar bone and across the chest The lap belt should sit low on your child s hips not across the stomach If the shoulder belt crosses the child s neck you should use a booster seat Several styles of booster seats are available We recommend a design that allows the child to use the car s lap shoulder belt Whichever
72. all four wheels for the best handling Watch road conditions carefully they can change from moment to moment Wet leaves can be as slip pery as ice Clear roads can have patches of ice Driving conditions can be very hazardous when the outside temperature is near freez ing The road surface can become covered with areas of water pud dies mixed with areas of ice so your traction can change without warning Be careful when downshifting If traction is low you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause a skid Driving in Bad Weather Towing a Trailer Be very cautious when passing or being passed by other vehicles The spray from large vehicles reduces your visibility and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control Towing a Trailer Your Honda is designed primarily to carry passengers and their cargo You can use it to tow a trailer if you carefully observe some general rules e The total weight of the trailer and everything loaded in it must not exceed 450 kg 1 000 Ibs The tongue load should never exceed 50 kg 110 Ibs This is the amount of weight the trailer puts on the hitch when it is fully loaded As a rule of thumb the tongue load should be 10 of the total trailer package For example if the trailer and its load weigh 225 kg 500 Ibs the tongue load should be 22 5 kg 50 Ibs Adjust the the trailer s cargo to change the tongue load Start by puttin
73. ar and removing your foot from the accelerator pedal Pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe Because of the longer stop ping distance needed brake system failure is very hazardous It is best to have your car towed but if you must drive the car in this condition be extremely cautious Have your car repaired as soon as possible Anti lock Brakes The Prelude Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and SR and SR 4WS models in Canada have an Anti lock Brake System ABS as standard equipment ABS helps you maintain steering control It does this by helping you to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding The ABS is always On It requires no special effort or driving technique You will feel a pulsation in the brake pedal when the ABS activates Activation varies with the amount of traction your tires have On dry pavement you will need to press on the brake pedal very hard before you feel the pedal pulsation that means the ABS has activated However you may feel the ABS activate immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice Under all conditions the ABS is helping to prevent the wheels from locking so you can retain steering control You should continue to press on the brake pedal with the same force You may feel a slight movement of the brake pedal just after you start the engine This is the ABS working CONTINUED Driving 117 The Braking System Four Wheel Steering NURSE
74. as 75063 972 929 5481 Central Zone 101 South Stanfield Road Troy Ohio 45373 937 332 6250 Northeastern Zone P O Box 337 Eastgate Industrial Park 115 Gaither Drive Moorestown New Jersey 08057 609 235 5533 Includes NYC Metro area and Fairfield County CT area ZONE 2 The above addresses and telephone numbers for the current information 218 Customer Relations Mid Atlantic Zone 902 Wind River Ln Suite 200 Gaithersburg Maryland 20878 301 990 2020 Southeastern Zone 1500 Morrison Parkway Alpharetta Georgia 30004 770 442 2045 North Central Zone 601 Campus Drive Suite A 9 Arlington Heights Illinois 60004 847 870 5600 New England Zone 555 Old County Road Windsor Locks Connecticut 06096 860 623 3310 See Zone 5 for NYC Metro area and Fairfield County CT area 1 West Central Zone 1600 South Abilene Street Suite D Aurora Colorado 80012 303 696 3935 1 Puerto Rico and U S V I Bella International P O Box 190816 San Juan PR 00919 0816 787 250 4318 are subject to change If you cannot reach your Zone office ask your Honda dealer Canada Zone Office Map 2p ATLANTIC ZONE Western Zone Honda Canada Inc 13240 Worster Court Richmond B C V6V 2B8 604 278 7121 Central Zone Honda Canada Inc 126 Milner Avenue Scarborough Ontario M1S 3R2 416 299 3400 Quebec Zone Honda Canada Inc 1750 rue Eiffel Boucherville Quebec J4B 7W1 514 655 6161
75. ate an unsafe condition by reducing your car s visibility and the ability to signal your intentions to other drivers Check the following e Headlights low and high beam e Parking lights e Taillights e Brake lights e High mount brake light e Turn signals e Back up lights e Hazard light function e License plate light e Side marker lights e Daytime running lights Canadian cars If you find any bulbs are burned out replace them as soon as possible Refer to the chart on page 207 to determine what type of replacement bulb is needed 164 Maintenance Replacing a Headlight Bulb Your car has two bulbs on each side four in total Make sure you are replacing the bulb that is burned out Your car uses halogen headlight bulbs When replacing a bulb handle it by its plastic case and protect the glass from contact with your skin or hard objects If you touch the glass clean it with denatured alcohol and a clean cloth NOTICE Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit Oil perspiration ora scratch on the glass can cause the bulb to overheat and shatter 1 Open the hood If you need to change the high beam headlight bulb on the passenger s side remove the radiator reserve tank by pulling it straight up 2 To disconnect the bulb from the electrical harness push on the end of the lock tab to release the connector then push the connec tor straight down Lights
76. ay or foam type vinyl cleaners Seat Belts If your seat belts get dirty you can use a soft brush to clean them with a mixture of mild soap and warm water Do not use bleach dye or cleaning solvents They can weaken the belt material Let the belts air dry before you use the car METAL LOOP Dirt build up in the metal loops of the seat belt anchors can cause the belts to retract slowly Wipe the inside of the loops with a clean cloth dampened in isopropyl alcohol Appearance Care 179 Interior Care Corrosion Protection Windows Clean the windows inside and out with acommercially available glass cleaner You can also use a mixture of one part white vinegar to ten parts water This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the windows Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear plastic surfaces NOTICE The rear window defogger wires are bonded to the inside of the glass Wiping vigorously up and down can dislodge and break the defog ger wires When cleaning the rear window use gentle pressure and wipe side to side 180 Appearance Care Air Fresheners If you want to use an air freshener deodorizer in the interior of your car it is best to use a solid type Some liquid air fresheners contain chemicals that may cause parts of the interior trim and fabric to crack or discolor If you use a liquid air freshener make sure you fasten it securely so
77. belt see page 22 Child Safety Using Child Restraints with Tethers Your Honda has two attachment points for tether style child seats Use the dimensions in the above illustration to locate the attach ment point you want to use Cut a 12 7 mm 1 2 inch diameter hole in the rear shelf then install the tether hardware that came with the child seat Tighten the bolt to 22 N m 2 2 kg m 16 lb ft If you are not sure how to install the bracket have it installed by your authorized Honda dealer If you need an anchor plate and mounting hardware you can obtain them by writing to American Honda Motor Co Inc Consumer Affairs 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 Canadian Cars TOOTHED WASHER The anchor plate and mounting hardware for a top tether are supplied with the car When installing make sure the toothed washer is on the bottom of the bolt The supplied anchor plate is designed only for mounting a child restraint Do not use it for any other purpose Driver and Passenger Safety 21 Child Safety Using a Seat Belt Locking Clip Always use a seat belt locking clip when you secure a child seat to your car with a lap shoulder belt This helps prevent the seat from shifting position or overturning A locking clip is usually included with the child seat If you need a clip contact the seat s manufac turer or a store that sells child restraints To inst
78. bly from the fender by pulling out the back edge and sliding the assembly backwards 170 Maintenance 3 Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it counterclockwise 4 Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out Install the new bulb Turn on the headlights to test the bulb 5 Insert the socket in the assembly Turn it clockwise to lock it in place 6 Reinstall the side marker assem bly in the fender Tighten the mounting screw securely Lights Replacing a Rear License Bulb 1 Remove the two screws and remove the license light assem bly 2 Remove the lens from the rubber seal and the metal cover 3 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb in until it bottoms in the socket 4 Turn on the parking lights and check that the new bulb is working 5 Reinstall the cover and the lens Put the license light assembly in place Reinstall the two screws and tighten them securely Replacing Interior and Trunk Light Bulbs INTERIOR LIGHT 1 Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in the middle with a fingernail file or a small flat tip screwdriver Do not pry on the edge of the housing around the lens CONTINUED Maintenance 171 Lights TRUNK LIGHT 2 Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs 3 Push the new bulb into the metal tabs Snap the lens
79. cover counterclockwise to loosen it turn with the wheel wrench by turning the handle clockwise then remove the jack then pulling on the cover 186 Taking Care of the Unexpected Changing a Flat Tire JACKING 9 Locate the jacking point nearest the tire you need to change It is pointed to by an arrow molded into the underside of the body Place the jack under the jacking point Turn the end bracket clockwise until the top of the jack contacts the jacking point Make sure the jacking point tab is resting on the jack notch WHEEL EXTENSION WRENCH 10 Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the car until the flat tire is off the ground 11 Remove the wheel nuts and flat tire Temporarily place the flat tire on the ground with the outside surface of the wheel facing up The outside surface contacting the ground could damage the wheel surface CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected 187 Changing a Flat Tire BRAKE HUB 12 Before mounting the spare tire 13 Put on the spare tire Put the 14 Lower the car to the ground and wipe any dirt off the mounting wheel nuts back on finger tight remove the jack surface of the wheel and hub then tighten them in a crisscross with a cloth pattern with the wheel wrench until the wheel is firmly against the hub Do not try to tighten them fully 188 Taking Care of the Unexpected Changing a Flat Tire
80. ctrical connections The electrical charge sent to the airbag assembly ignites its propel lant which burns instantaneously The gas produced by the burning propellant inflates the airbag in about 40 milliseconds 1 25 of a second The airbag is vented so it stays inflated for only an instant and does not block the driver s vision Smoke from the burned propellant comes out of the airbag and into the car s interior This is normal and does not mean there is a fire The airbag collapses onto the driver s lap The airbag unit can inflate only one time After use your Honda dealer must check the complete Supple mental Restraint System and re place the airbag assembly To ensure long term reliability the SRS uses gold plated electrical connections throughout Exposed components are sealed with epoxy The control unit monitors the SRS circuitry whenever the ignition is ON II If the control unit senses any faults it turns on the SRS indicator light on the instrument panel Take the car to your Honda dealer to diagnose and repair the system as soon as possible The SRS needs no regular mainte nance other than an inspection by your Honda dealer ten years after manufacture Technical Information 209 Four Wheel Steering The Si 4WS model in the U S and the SR 4WS model in Canada are equipped with an electronic Four Wheel Steering system As inputs the 4WS system uses a vehicle speed sensor and a sensor
81. d 197 Closing the Sunroof If the electric motor will not close the sunroof do the following SOCKET 1 Check the fuse for the sunroof motor see page 200 If the fuse is blown replace it with one of the same or lower rating 2 Try closing the sunroof If the new fuse blows immediately or the sunroof motor still does not operate you can close the ROUND PLUG sunroof manually 4 Pry off the round plug in the 5 Insert the sunroof wrench into 3 Get the tool kit out of the trunk center of the headliner the socket behind this plug Turn the wrench until the sunroof is fully closed 6 Remove the wrench Replace the round plug 198 Taking Care of the Unexpected Fuses All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from a short circuit or overload These fuses are located in two fuse boxes UNDERHOOD The underhood fuse box is located in the engine compartment next to the battery To open push the tab as shown INTERIOR NA ODON a The interior fuse box is underneath the dashboard on the driver s side To open turn the knob as shown CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected 199 Fuses Checking and Replacing Fuses If something electrical in your car stops working the first thing you should check for is a blown fuse Determine from the chart on the fuse box cover or inside the fuse box which fuse or fuses control that
82. d be replaced every 2 years or 48 000 km 30 000 miles 146 Maintenance Brake System The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir If the level is at or below the MIN mark it is an indication that your brake system needs attention Have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn brake pads If you add brake fluid to bring it up to the MAX mark use Genuine Honda Brake Fluid or an equiva lent that is marked DOT3 or DOT4 only Brake fluid marked DOT5 is not compatible with your car s braking system Brake and Clutch Fluid Anti lock Brake System Check the fluid level in this reser voir after driving the car for at least a few minutes It should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir If it is at or below the MIN mark it may indicate a problem in the braking system Have the dealer inspect your car If the fluid level is half an inch or more above the MAX mark it may indicate a problem in the ABS Have your dealer inspect the system as soon as posible If you add brake fluid to bring it up to the MAX mark use the same DOTS3 or DOT4 brake fluid speci fied for the brake system 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 DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid specified for the brake system
83. d how you should position a lap shoulder seat belt The Seat Belt System and How It Works Seat Belt Maintenance For safety you should check the condition of your seat belts regu larly Pull out each belt fully and look for frays cuts burns and wear Check that the latches work smoothly and the lap shoulder belts retract easily Any belt not in good condition or not working properly should be replaced If a seat belt is worn during a crash have your dealer replace the belt and check the anchors for damage Driver and Passenger Safety 9 Supplemental Restraint System All Preludes sold in the U S are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System SRS This system also comes on the SR and SR 4WS models in Canada The supplemental restraint system includes an airbag to help protect your head and chest during a se vere frontal collision This system does not replace your seat belt It supplements or adds to the protec tion offered by your seat belt The system on the Si 4WS model in the U S also includes a front passenger s airbag 10 Driver and Passenger Safety Not wearing a seat belt in creases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash even if you have an airbag Be sure you and your passen gers always wear seat belts and wear them properly INDICATOR CONTROL PASSENGER S DRIVER S AIRBAG SENSORS The main components in your SRS are e An airbag in the steeri
84. d reduces their effective ness Use the engine to assist the brakes by downshifting to a lower gear and taking your foot off the accelerator pedal 116 Driving Check your brakes after driving through deep water Apply the brakes moderately to see if they feel normal If not apply them gently and frequently until they do Since a longer distance is needed to stop with wet brakes be extra cautious and alert in your driving Brake Wear Indicators All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators When the brake pads need re placing you will hear a distinctive metallic screeching sound when you apply the brakes If you do not have the brake pads replaced they will begin screeching all the time Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them lightly Do not confuse this with the brake wear indicators They make avery audible screeching Brake System Design The hydraulic system that operates the brakes has two separate cir cuits Each circuit works diago nally across the car the left front brake is connected with the right rear brake etc If one circuit should develop a problem you will still have braking at two wheels Front The Braking System If this happens you will immediate ly notice that the brake pedal goes down much farther and you need to press on it much harder A much longer distance will be needed to stop the car Slow the car by downshifting to a lower ge
85. d take immediate action Steam and spray from an over heated engine can seriously scald you Do not open the hood if steam is coming out Safely pull to the side of the road Put the transmission in neutral or Park and set the parking brake Turn off the climate control and all other accessories Turn on the hazard warning indicators 2 If you see steam and or spray coming from under the hood turn off the engine 3 If you do not see steam or spray leave the engine running and watch the temperature gauge If the high heat is due to overload ing climbing a long steep hill on a hot day with the A C running for example the engine should start to cool down almost immedi ately If it does wait until the temperature gauge comes down to the midpoint then continue driving 4 If the temperature gauge continues to display the red marker turn off the engine 5 Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray then open the hood CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected 193 lf Your Engine Overheats N foe 6 Look for any obvious coolant leaks such as a split radiator hose Everything is still extreme ly hot so use caution If you find a leak it must be repaired before you continue driving see Towing on page 202 If you don t find an obvious leak check the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank see page 139 If the level is below the MIN mark add coolant to half wa
86. da write to Honda at the address shown for information about any modifica tions your car may need Be sure to include the year and model of your car U S Owners American Honda Motor Co Inc Consumer Affairs 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 Canadian Owners Honda Canada Inc 715 Milner Ave Scarborough Ontario M1B 2K8 Before Driving 99 Service Station Procedures Filling the Gas Tank 1 The fuel filler is on the driver s side of the car Park with that side closest to the service station pumps 2 Open the fuel filler door by pulling on the handle to the left of the driver s seat 100 Before Driving Handling gasoline improperly can cause it to ignite or ex plode causing you to be seri ously or fatally injured Always put out cigarettes and other smoking materials and keep all sparks and open flames away when you are around gasoline GAS CAP 3 Remove the gas cap slowly You may hear a hissing sound as pressure inside the tank escapes Place the gas cap on the inside of the door as shown 4 Stop filling the tank after the gas pump automatically clicks off Do not try to top off the tank leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes 5 Screw the gas cap back on tighten it until it clicks 6 Push the fuel filler door until it latches Service Station Procedures Opening the Hood HOOD RELEASE HANDLE 1 Shift to Park o
87. de As with same steer the angle of countersteer varies with vehicle speed increasing and then decreasing as the speed rises This gives improved handling in low medium and high speed curves The 4WS system s electronic control unit monitors the sensors whenever the ignition is ON If it detects a problem anywhere in the system it lights the 4WS indicator on the instrument panel and turns the system off With the system off the rear wheels remain pointed straight ahead Your car will then drive like a conventional car without 4WS Emission Controls The burning of gasoline in your car s engine produces several by products Some of these are carbon monoxide CO oxides of nitrogen NOx and hydrocarbons HC Gasoline evaporating from the tank also produces hydrocarbons Con trolling the production of NOx CO and HC is important to the environ ment Under certain conditions of sunlight and climate NOx and HC react to form photochemical smog Carbon monoxide does not contri bute to smog creation but it is a poisonous gas The Clean Air Act The United States Clean Air Act sets standards for automobile emissions It also requires that automobile manufacturers explain to owners how their emission controls work and what to do to maintain them This section summarizes how the emission con trols work Scheduled maintenance is on page 129 In Canada Honda vehicles comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle S
88. e e Rinse the car thoroughly with cool water to remove loose dirt e Fill a bucket with cool water Mix in a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid or a product made especially for car washing e Wash the car using the water and detergent solution and a soft bristle brush sponge or soft cloth Start at the top and work your way down Rinse frequently e Check the body for road tar tree sap etc Remove these stains with tar remover or turpentine Rinse it off immediately so it does not harm the finish Remem ber to re wax these areas even if the rest of the car does not need waxing e When you have washed and rinsed the whole exterior dry it with a chamois or soft towel Letting it air dry will cause dulling and water spots As you dry the car inspect it for chips and scratches that could allow corrosion to start Repair them with touch up paint see page 178 Exterior Care Waxing Always wash and dry the whole car before waxing it You should wax your car including the metal trim whenever water sits on the surface in large patches It should form into beads or droplets after waxing You should use a quality liquid or paste wax Apply it according to the instructions on the container In general there are two types of products Waxes A wax coats the finish and protects it from damage by exposure to sunlight air pollution etc You should use a wax on your Honda when it is new
89. e Code in the frequency display Use the Preset buttons to enter the five digit code If entered correctly the radio will start to play You will then have to store your favorite stations in the Preset buttons Your original settings were lost when power was discon nected Comfort and Convenience Features 95 Before Driving Before you begin driving your Honda you should know what gaso line to use and that your car is full of oil and other important fluids You also need to know how to pro perly stow luggage or packages 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 2 c ceeeee 98 GAaSOlNE iiini 98 Oxygenated Fuels 20 98 Driving in Foreign Countries 99 Service Station Procedures 100 Filling the Gas Tank 100 Opening the Hood 2 0 101 Fuel ECONOMY 104 Vehicle Condition 104 Driving Habits 0 cee 104 ACCESSOTICS ce eeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeee 105 Loading Cargo 106 Before Driving 97 Break in Period Gasoline Break in Period Help assure your car s future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 1 000 km 600 miles During this period e Avoid full throttle starts and rapid acceleration e If you need to add oil use the engine oil recommended in this owner
90. e When to sssseseessss 129 Checking Engine 135 Pressure Light eee 33 Selecting Proper Viscosity O ore la rn 36 ON Ignition Key Position 47 Opening the Hood ssseeeeeeeeeee 101 Opening the Trunk oe 50 Operation in Foreign Countries 99 Outside Mirrors 60 Overheating Engine 193 E Panel Brightness Control 41 Park Gear Position e 113 Parking Brake 61 Parking Lights cesses 40 Parking Over Things that BUT ninaa a Ea Na 213 PGM FI System 212 228 Polishing and Waxing 5 177 Power Door LOCKS iiics 48 MOVs 2 ceeeccceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneees 60 SHOOTING eeceeeeeeeeeeeeeteneeneeeeees 148 WINOWS 0 ccceeeteeeeeeeeeeeeeees 57 Pregnancy Using Seat Belts 8 Proper Seat Belt Usage 6 Radiator Overheating 193 Radio Cassette Sound System 75 Rear End Towing e eeee 202 Rear Lights Bulb Replacement eccecececees 169 Rear Seat Folding eeee 55 Rear View Mirror nesssssssscsce 59 Rear Window Defogger 56 Reclining the Seat Backs 52 Recommended Shift Speeds 111 Reminder Lights ceeeee 31 Replacement Information Air Filter 2 cceecceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 149 olo FE a EPEE ETTE 140 Engine Oil and Filter 137 Fuel Filter aeneae 150 FUSES cececceeeeeee
91. e high beam headlights come on with reduced brightness when you turn the ignition switch to ON II and release the parking brake They remain on until you turn the ignition off even if you set the parking brake The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on with the switch Controls Near the Steering Wheel Instrument Panel Brightness The dial on the dashboard to the left of the instrument panel con trols the brightness of the instru ment panel lights Turn the dial to adjust the brightness To reduce glare at night the fuel and temperature gauges dim when you turn on the parking lights or headlights You then adjust their brightness when you adjust the instrument panel brightness Turn the dial up as far as it will go to return the fuel and temperature gauges to their daytime brightness Turn Signals TURN SIGNAL LEVER OSANA l Signal a turn or lane change with this lever Push down on the lever to signal a left turn and up to signal a right turn If you push it up or down all the way the turn signal continues to blink even when you release the lever It shuts off auto matically as you complete the turn To signal a lane change push lightly on the turn signal lever in the proper direction and hold it The lever will return to the center position as soon as you release it Instruments and Controls 41 Controls Near the steering Wheel Windshield Wipe
92. e attention to the parts used in the repair and the quality of the work Make sure the repair facility uses genuine Honda replacement body parts Some companies make sheetmetal pieces that seem to duplicate the original Honda body parts but are actually inferior in fit finish and quality Once installed they do not give the same high quality appearance and level of corrosion resistance When reporting your collision to the insurance company tell them you want genuine Honda parts used in the repair Although most insurers recognize the higher quality of original parts some may try to specify that the repairs be done with the lowest cost parts available You should investigate this before any repairs are begun Take your car to your authorized Honda dealer for inspection after the repairs are completed He can make sure that quality materials were used and that corrosion preventive coatings were applied to all repaired and replaced parts Appearance Care 181 Taking Care of the Unexpected This section covers the more common problems that motorists experience with their cars It gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what to do to correct it If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road you may be able to get going again If not you will also find instructions on getting your car towed Compact Spare Tire 184 Changing a Flat Tire 08 185 If You
93. e direction of airflow from the vents in the center of the dash board and the corner vents in each door is adjustable Move the tab in the center of each vent up and down and side to side The center corner and side defroster vents can be opened and closed with the dials next tothem 68 Comfort and Convenience Features CORNER VENT The heating and cooling system draws air through the exterior vents at the bottom of the wind shield Keep these vents clear of leaves and other debris Heating and Cooling rN SIDE DEFROSTER VENT Comfort and Convenience Features 69 Heating and Cooling What Each Control Does Fan Control Lever Sliding this lever to the right increases the fan speed which increases air flow Temperature Control Lever Sliding this lever to the right increases the temperature of air flowing through the system Mode Buttons These buttons control the direction of air flow The indicator light shows which button is controlling air flow Air Conditioner A C Switch This switch turns the air condi tioner ON and OFF The indicator in the switch lights when the A C is ON MODE BUTTONS REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER BUTTON RECIRCULATION BUTTON ee TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER Recirculation Button This button controls the source of air going into the system
94. e worn out Have your dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent vibration while driving A tire should always be rebalanced if it is removed from the wheel Make sure the installer balances the wheels when you have new tires installed This increases riding comfort and tire life Tire Rotation Front t ih 0 U To help increase tire life and distribute wear more evenly you should have the tires rotated every 12 000 km 7 500 miles Move the tires to the positions shown in the chart each time they are rotated Tires Replacing Tires The tires that came with your Honda were selected to match the performance capabilities of the car and provide the best combination of handling ride comfort and long life You should replace them with radial tires of the same size load range and speed rating Mixing radial and bias ply or bias belted 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 possi ble or necessary then replace the two front tires or the two rear tires as a pair Replacing just one tire can seriously affect your car s han dling If you ever need to replace a wheel make sure you use the same wheel that originally came on your Honda Replacement wheels are available at your Honda dealer Wheels and Tires Wheel US S Canada S 14x55 JJ US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4
95. eact even in conditions that may seem just barely damp Apply smooth even pressure to all the controls Abrupt steering wheel movements or sudden hard appli cation of the brakes can cause loss of control in wet weather Be extra cautious for the first few miles of driving while you adjust to the change in driving conditions This is especially true in snow A person can forget some snow driving tech niques during the summer months Practice is needed to relearn those skills Exercise extra caution when driving in rain after a long dry spell After months of dry weather the first rains bring oil to the surface of the roadway making it slippery 120 Driving Visibility Being able to see clearly in all directions and being visible to other drivers are impor tant in all weather conditions This is more difficult in bad weather To be seen more clearly during day light hours turn on your headlights Inspect your windshield wipers and washers frequently Keep the wind shield washer reservoir full of the proper fluid Replace the wind shield wiper blades if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts unwiped Use the defrosters and air conditioner to keep the windows from fogging up on the inside see page 73 Traction Check your tires frequently for wear and proper pressure Both are important in preventing hydroplaning loss of traction on a wet surface In the winter mount snow tires on
96. eatly increases the chances of damaging the electrical system If you do not have a replacement fuse with the proper rating for the circuit install one with a lower rating 6 If the replacement fuse of the same rating burns out in a short time there is probably a serious electrical problem in your car Leave the burned out fuse in that circuit and have your car check ed by a qualified technician Taking Care of the Unexpected 201 Towing If your car needs to be towed calla professional towing service or if you belong to one an organization that provides roadside assistance Never tow your car behind another car with just a rope or chain It is very dangerous Emergency Towing There are three popular methods of towing a car Flat bed Equipment The operator loads your car on the back of atruck This is the best way of transporting your Honda Wheel Lift Equipment The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the tires front or rear and lift them off the ground The other two wheels remain on the ground 202 Taking Care of the Unexpected Sling type Equipment The tow truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends These hooks go around parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that end of the car off the ground Your car s sus pension and body can be seriously damaged if this method of towing is attempted If your Honda cannot be trans ported by flat bed it shou
97. ect the Recirculation mode and W 3 Slide the temperature control lever to maximum heat 4 Leave the fan OFF for the first few minutes When the tempera ture gauge rises above the bot tom white mark set the fan to medium speed 5 When the interior warms up switch to fresh air mode and adjust the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting To Defrost To remove frost or ice from the windshield and side windows after the car has been sitting out in cold weather 1 Start the engine 2 Select the Recirculation mode and 3 Open the side defroster vents 4 Set the fan and temperature controls to maximum 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 corner vents with the dial beside each vent That will send more warm air to the side defroster vents For safety make sure you have a clear view through all the windows before driving away 74 Comfort and Convenience Features To Turn Everything Off To shut off the system temporarily slide the fan speed and temperature control levers all the way to the left You should only shut the system completely off for the first few minutes of driving in cold weather until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater Keep the fan on at all other times so
98. eeeeeeeteeeeeeeeeeaes 200 Light BulbS 00 eceeceeeeee 164 Schedule ccceeseeeeeees 129 Spark PIUQS cee eeeeeeeeereees 150 TilES nennen rea 161 Wiper Blades eee eee 155 Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash 9 Reserve Tank Coolant 139 Restraint Child 0000000000000000000e 18 Reverse Gear Position 114 Rotation Tire cccccccsceeseeeeee 160 Safety Belts eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 5 Safety Defects Reporting 26 Safety Labels Location of 27 Safety Messages ii Seat Belt cecceeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeesees 5 Advice for Pregnant Women 8 Child Seat Anchor Plate 21 Cleaning 179 Frayed or TOMn ccccesceeeee 9 Maintenance ceccecceeeee 9 Index Reminder Light and Beeper 33 Replacement cecceceeeceeeee 9 System Componenis 00 6 Tether Attachment Points 21 Use During Pregnancy 8 Wearing a Lap Shoulder Belt 7 Seats Adjusting the cee 51 Serial NUMbe ceeee 204 Service Intervals 0 0 129 Service Manual esee 221 Service Station Procedures 100 Setting the Clock cee 63 Shifting The Automatic Transmission S E E tees 112 The 5 Speed Transmission 111 Shift Lever Position INGICALON ceeeeeeeeeseeeeeeee 36 112 Side Marker Lights Bulb Replacement in
99. eeeees 163 Specifications ccceeee 207 Tools Tire Changing 185 Torn Seat Belts cesses 9 Towing A Trailebn 121 Emergency Wrechet 202 Transmission Checking Fluid Level Automatic nsen eneee 144 Checking Fluid Level oS 0 16 ononon eseese nonono eeens eee 145 Fluid Selection 0 144 Identification Number 204 Shifting the Automatic 112 Shifting the 5 speed 111 TrEQUWEON ceectceeeeeeeeeeeeeeteetees 161 Tripp Meter esseeeceseseeeeeenereees 37 TUK Ss jennie eines 50 Opening the sees 50 Open Monitor Light 35 Turn Signals eee 41 230 Underside Cleaning 00 176 Unexpected Taking Care 0 ia c 183 Uniform Tire Quality Grading 161 Unleaded Gasoline 98 Upholstery Cleaning 0 179 Used Oil How to Dispose of 138 Vanity Mirror eeeeeeeeeeeeeees 64 Vehicle Capacity Load 106 Vehicle Dimensions 206 Vehicle Identification Number 204 Vehicle Storage 173 Ventilation ceececceeceeeeeseeneeeees 71 VIN che cirae ie aeia 204 Vinyl Cleaning eee 179 Viscosity Oil 136 E ees Warning Beepers Key in Ignition 47 Seat Belts eeceeeeseeeeeeeereeees 33 WARNING Explanation of ii Warning Labels Location of 27 Warranty Coverages 216 Washer Windshield Checking
100. eight you will be transporting To do this multiply the number of people driver and all passen gers by 70 kg 150 Ibs e Subtract this number from the Vehicle Capacity Weight 825 kg 700 Ibs e If you are towing a trailer subtract the tongue weight See Towing a Trailer on page 121 This final number is the total weight of cargo you can load in or on the car With four occupants driver and three passengers the maximum recommended weight for cargo is 45 kg 100 Ibs Where you store this cargo and how well you secure it are just as important as how much it weighs Make sure you load cargo so it will not shift while driving Items stored in the trunk should be placed as far forward as possible You could store additional items on the floor behind the front seats Make sure they cannot roll under the front seat and interfere with the pedals If you must carry large objects that prevent you from closing the trunk lid be aware that exhaust gas can enter the interior See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 25 Never place items on the shelf behind the back seat Those items can fly forward and injure you or your passengers if you brake hard or are involved in a collision Driving This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various conditions and how to operate the 5 speed and automatic transmis sions It also includes important information on your car s braking system and facts you need i
101. eminder to you and your passengers to 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 light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt before turning on the ignition Charging System LA Light This light indicates the battery is not being charged It should come on when the ignition is ON Il and go out after the engine starts If this light comes on while driving the battery is not being charged Turn to page 196 for information about what to do cad Low Oil Pressure Light This indicator lights when the oil pressure in the engine drops low enough to cause damage It should light when the ignition is ON Il and go out after the engine starts If this light comes on when the engine is running there is a possi bility of serious engine damage Safely pull to the side of the road and shut off the engine as soon as you can Turn to page 195 for in structions and precautions on checking the engine Canada Parking Brake and Brake US System Light This light has two functions 1 It lights as a reminder that you have set the parking brake Driving with the parking brake set can damage the brakes and tires and cause the Anti lock brake system to turn off see page 118 2 It can indicate the brake fluid
102. eminders Never hold a baby or child on your lap when riding in a car If you are wearing your seat belt the violent forces created during a crash will tear the child from your arms The child could be seriously hurt or killed If you are holding a child and not wearing a seat belt in a crash you could crush the child against the car s interior Never put your seat belt over yourself and a child During a crash the belt could press deep into the child causing serious internal injuries Two children should never use the same seat belt If they do they could be very seriously injured in a crash General Guidelines for Restraining Children Under 18 kg 40 Ibs Use an approved child seat The seat must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 FMVSS 213 or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Look for the manufacturer s statement of compliance on the box and seat Use a seat of the right size Make sure the seat fits your child Check the seat manufacturer s instruc tions and labels for height and weight limits Secure the child seat to the car All approved child seats are designed to be secured in the car seat by the lap belt or the lap belt portion of a lap shoulder belt A child whose seat is not properly secured to the car can be endangered in a crash To properly route a seat belt through a child seat follow the seat maker s instructions Be sure you install a locking clip on a lap should
103. emove the oil filler cap on top of the valve cover Pour in the oil and replace the filler cap Tighten it securely Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level Do not fill above the upper mark you could damage the engine Maintenance 135 Engine Oll Recommended Oil Dil is a major contributor to your sngine s performance and longevity lways use a premium grade deter yent oil You can determine an oil s SAE viscosity and Service Classifi sation from the API Service label yn the oil container It should look ke this 36 Maintenance The numbers in the middle tell you the oil s SAE viscosity or weight Select the oil for your car accord ing to this chart Po Ambient Temperature 10W 30 5W 30 PREFERRED An oil with a viscosity of 5W 30 is preferred for improved fuel econo my and year round protection in your Honda You may use a 10W 30 oil ifthe temperature in your area never goes below 20 F 7 C A fuel efficient oil is recommende for your Honda This is shown on the API Service label by the word Energy Conserving II This oil i formulated to help your engine us less fuel The API Service label also tells yc the service classification of the oil Always use an oil that says API Service SG This service rating may also include other designatior such as CD These additional classifications are not a problem long as the label also carries the S classificat
104. engine compartment To replace it 1 Unsnap the four hold down clamps and remove the filter housing cover 2 Remove the old air filter element Clean the inside of the filter housing with a damp rag FILTER ELEMENT 3 Place the new air cleaner ele ment in the housing 4 Reinstall the housing cover snap the four hold down clamps back into place Maintenance 149 Fuel Filter Spark Plugs Fuel Filter The fuel filter should be replaced every 4 years or 96 000 km 60 000 miles whichever comes first Have a qualified technician change the fuel filter Since the fuel system is under pressure gasoline can spray out and create a hazard if all fuel line connections are not han dled correctly The filter may require replacement sooner if you happen to buy one or more tankfuls of contaminated gasoline Have the filter tested or replaced if you suspect it has been clogged by contaminants 150 Maintenance Spark Plugs The original spark plugs in your car need to be replaced every 2 years or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first Replacement SPARK PLUG CAP 1 Clean up any dirt and oil that have collected around the spark plug caps 2 Remove the spark plug cap by pulling it straight out 3 Remove the spark plug using a 16 mm 5 8 inch spark plug socket Spark Plugs 4 Set the gap on the new spark plug with a wire type spark plug gapping tool D
105. er and Passenger Safety 5 The Seat Belt System and How It Works Seat Belt System Components Your Honda has lap shoulder seat belts in all four seating positions Your seat belt system also includes a light on the instrument panel to remind you to fasten your seat belt and to make sure your passengers fasten theirs This light comes on when you turn on the ignition if you have not fastened your seat belt A beeper also sounds for several seconds see page 33 The following pages cover more about the seat belt components and how they work 6 Driver and Passenger Safety Lap Shoulder Belt This style of seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder across your chest and across your hips Each lap shoulder belt has an emergency locking retractor This lets you move freely in your seat while keeping some tension on the belt During a collision or sudden stop the retractor automatically locks Wearing Seat Belts Properly Youcan increase the effectiveness of your seat belts if you take a little time to read the following pages and make sure you know how to wear seat belts properly Not wearing a seat belt pro perly increases the chance of serious injury or death ina crash Be sure you and your passen gers always wear seat belts and wear them properly The Seat Belt System and How It Works Wearing a Lap Shoulder Belt Before putting on a front seat belt be sure your sea
106. er belt See page 22 Secure the child in the child seat Make sure the infant or child is firmly secured to the child seat Use the straps provided and carefully follow the manufacturer s instructions Driver and Passenger Safety 19 Child Safety Restraining an Infant Who Weighs Less Than 9 kg 20 Ibs An infant up to about 9 kg 20 Ibs must be restrained in an infant seat or a convertible seat designed for a baby Because children that size must ride in a reclining position be sure the infant seat always faces the REAR of the car as shown 20 Driver and Passenger Safety We recommend that whenever possible you put the infant seat in the rear seat and secure it to the car with a lap shoulder belt You must use a locking clip with a lap shoulder belt see page 22 Special Precaution for Si4 WS model We strongly recommend that you do not put an infant seat in the front passenger s seat In a severe frontal collision the inflating airbag can hit the infant seat with considerable force The infant seat can be dislodged causing serious injury to the infant Restraining a Child Who Weighs Between 9 and 18 kg 20 and 40 Ibs Toddler seats are designed for children who weigh between 9 and 18 kg 20 and 40 Ibs The preferred place to puta toddler seat is in the rear seat Use the car s lap shoulder belt to secure the seat to the car You must use a locking clip on the car s lap shoulder
107. es A small dog cat or other small animal will be safest in a rigidly sided pet carrier Choose a style that allows you to secure it to the car s seat by routing a seat belt through the carrier s handle For further information contact your veterinarian or local animal protection society Driver and Passenger Safety 17 Child Safety Children depend on adults to protect them To help make sure we do every state and Canadian province has laws requiring infants and young children to be properly restrained whenever they ride ina Car 18 Driverand Passenger Safety An infant or child who is not properly restrained can be killed or seriously injured in a crash Be sure any child too small for seat belts is properly secured in a child restraint Where Should Children Sit According to accident statistics provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are properly restrained in the rear seat rather than the front seat We recommend that whenever possible you secure your child s infant or toddler seat in the rear seat with the lap shoulder belt You must use a locking clip with a lap shoulder belt We also recommend that any child who is too large to use an infant or toddler seat ride in the rear seat The child should then wear the lap shoulder belt properly for protec tion Child Safety Important Safety R
108. f you are planning to tow a trailer Preparing to Drive sesse 108 Starting the Engine 109 5 speed Transmission 109 Automatic Transmission 109 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude 110 5 speed Manual Transmission 111 Recommended Shift Points 111 Maximum Speeds eee 112 Automatic Transmission 112 Shift Lever Positions 112 Maximum Speeds eee 115 Shift Lock Release 0 115 The Braking System 116 Brake Wear Indicators 116 Brake System Design 116 Anti lock Brakes 117 Four Wheel Steering 6 118 Driving in Bad Weather 119 TowingaTrailer ee 121 Driving 107 Preparing to Drive You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before you drive your car 1 Make sure all windows mirrors and outside lights are clean and unobstructed Remove frost snow or ice 2 Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed 3 Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored properly or fastened down securely 108 Driving 4 Check the adjustment of the seat see page 51 5 Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors see page 59 6 Check the adjustment of the steering wheel See page 43 7 Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked 8 Fasten your seat belt Check that your passengers have fastened t
109. f you have a 5 speed the clutch pedal must be pushed all the way to the floor or the starter will not operate With an automatic transmission it must be in Park or Neutral e Turn the ignition switch to ON Il Turn on the headlights and check their brightness If the headlights are very dim or don t light at all the battery is dis charged See Jump Starting on page 191 e Turnthe ignition switch to START III If the headlights do not dim check the condition of the fuses If the fuses are OK there is probably something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignition switch or starter motor You will need a qualified technician to determine the problem See Towing on page 202 Ifthe headlights dim noticeably or go out when youtry to start the engine either the battery is discharged or the connections are corroded Check the condi tion of the battery and terminal connections See page 153 You canthentry jump starting the car from a booster battery see page 191 If Your Engine Won t Start Jump Starting The Starter Operates Normally In this case the starter motor sounds normal when you turn the ignition switch to START III but the engine does not run e Are you using the proper starting procedure Refer to Starting the Engine on page 109 e Do you have gas Turn the ignition switch to ON Il fora minute and watch the fuel gauge e There may be an electrical problem such as no power
110. f you mount snow tires on your Honda make sure they are radial tires of the same size and load range as the original tires Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your car s handling in all weather conditions Keep in mind the traction provided by snow tires on dry roads may not be as high as your car s original equipment tires You should drive cautiously even when the roads are clear Check with the tire dealer for maximum speed recommendations Tire Chains Mount snow chains on your car when warranted by driving condi tions or required by local laws Make sure the chains are the cor rect size for your tires Install them only on the front tires If metal chains are used they must be SAE class S Cable type traction de vices can also be used When installing chains follow the manufacturer s instructions and mount them as tightly as you can Drive slowly with chains installed If you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis stop and tighten them If they still make contact slow down until it stops Remove the chains as soon as you begin driving on cleared roads NOTICE Chains of the wrong size or that are improperly installed can damage your car s brake lines suspension body and wheels Stop driving if you hear the chains hitting any part of the car Maintenance 163 Lights Check the operation of your car s exterior lights at least once a month A burned out bulb can cre
111. fting make sure engine speed will not go into the red zone in the lower gear Refer to the Maximum Speeds chart Rapid slowing or speeding up can cause loss of control on slippery surfaces If you crash you can be injured Use extra care when driving on slippery surfaces Recommended Shift Points Drive in the highest gear that lets the engine run and accelerate smoothly This will give you the best fuel economy and effective emissions control The following shift points are recommended Shift up Normal acceleration Vist to 2nd 15 mph 24 km h 2nd to 3rd 28 mph 45 km h 3rd to 4th 41 mph 66 km h Ath to 5th 52 mph 83 km h CONTINUED Driving 111 5 speed Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission Cruise from acceleration Shift up ist to 2nd 7 mph 11 km h 2nd to 3rd 22 mph 35 km h 3rd to 4th 33 mph 53 km h 4th to 5th 48 mph 77 km h Maximum Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximums for the given gears If you exceed these speeds the engine speed will enter into the tachometer s red zone If this occurs you may feel the engine cut in and out This is caused by a limiter in the engine s computer controls The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone 112 Driving US S Canada S 3rd Ath Maximum speeds 33 mph 53 km h 60 mph 97 km h 89 mph 143 km h 121 mph 194 km h Top speed
112. g approximately 60 of the cargo toward the front and 40 toward the rear Never load the trailer so the back is heavier than the front This takes weight off your car s rear axle and reduces traction CONTINUED Driving 121 Towing a Trailer e The combined weight of the car all passengers and their luggage and tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating The GVWR is printed on the Certification label attached to the driver s door jamb see page 204 The combined weight of the car all passengers and their luggage and tongue load also must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating The GAWR is also shown on the Certification label It tells you the maximum load for the front and rear axles It is possible that your towing pack age does not exceed the GVWR but does exceed the GAWR Improper trailer loading and or too much luggage in the trunk can overload the rear axle Redis tribute the load and check the axle weights again 122 Driving Improperly loading your car and trailer can seriously affect its steering and braking per formance causing a crash in which you can be seriously injured Check the loading of your car and trailer carefully before starting to drive The best way to confirm that your total towing package is within these specifications is to get it weighed Load the car and trailer as you normally would while tow ing and take them to a public scale Have them chec
113. he illumination for the radio con trols comes on with the instrument panel lights even if the radio is off You can use the Balance control to turn off the radio panel illumina tion even with the radio on Push the control knob so it pops out then pull it out slightly further Check this control if the control panel lights do not come on with the in strument panel lights 76 Comfort and Convenience Features Use the Bass and Treble controls to adjust the tone quality to your liking Push on the knob to get the controls to pop out Adjust the bass level with the outer ring and the treble level with the knob When finished push the knobs back in so there is less chance of accidentally changing your settings Audio System S Operating the Radio The ignition switch must be in AC CESSORY I or ON II to operate the audio system Turn the system on by turning the ON VOL knob clockwise The radio comes on and displays the frequency of the station it was last tuned to The antenna extends automatically The system turns off and the anten na retracts when you turn the igni tion switch to LOCK 0 Adjust the volume by turning the ON VOL knob STEREO INDICATOR ON VOL KNOB Select the band you want to listen to by pressing the AM FM button You will see the selected band and the frequency in the display AM FM BUTTON ST will be displayed next to the fre quency if the station is broadcast
114. he level in the windshield washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage In bad weather when you use the washers often check the level every time you stop for gas The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the left headlight Check the reservoir s fluid level by removing the cap and looking at the float It should be up to the top of the neck If the float is at the bottom of the neck the reservoir is nearly empty Fill the reservoir with a good quality windshield washer fluid This increases the cleaning capability and prevents freezing in cold weather NOTICE Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar water solution in the windshield washer reservoir Antifreeze can damage your car s paint while a vinegar water solution can damage the windshield washer pump Use only commercially available windshield washer fluid Maintenance 143 Transmission Oil Automatic Transmission DIPSTICK Check the fluid level with the engine at normal operating tempe rature 1 Park the car on level ground Shut off the engine 2 Remove the dipstick yellow loop from the transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth 144 Maintenance lt UPPER MARK lt lt LOWER MARK 3 Insert the dipstick into the transmission 4 Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level It should be between the upper and lower marks 5 If the level is below the lower mark
115. he lock tab the tabs on both doors immediately pop up 50 Instruments and Controls Trunk TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE You can open the trunk in two ways e Pull the trunk release handle to the left of the driver s seat e Use the master key to open the trunk lock The valet key does not work in this lock MASTER KEY x a To close the trunk press down on the trunk lid See page 106 for cargo loading and weight limit information Keep the trunk lid closed at all times while driving to avoid damaging the lid and getting exhaust gas in the interior See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 25 Keys and Locks Seat Adjustments MASTER KEY To protect items in the trunk when you need to give the key to some one else lock the trunk release handle with the master key and give the other person the valet key Seat Adjustments Adjust the seat before you start driving S a To adjust the seat forward and backward pull up on the lever under the seat cushion s front edge Move the seat to the desired position and release the lever Try to move the seat to make sure it is locked in position CONTINUED Instrumentsand Controls 51 Seat Adjustments To change the angle of the seat back pull up on the lever on the outside of the seat bottom Move the seat back to the desired position and release the lever Let the seat back latch in the new position 52 Instruments and Controls
116. heir seat belts see page 7 9 Turn the ignition ON II Check the indicator lights in the instru ment panel 10 Start the engine 11 Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel see page 31 Starting the Engine 5 Speed Transmission 1 Apply the parking brake 2 In cold weather turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery 3 Push the clutch pedal down all the way START III does not function unless the clutch pedal is depressed 4 Without touching the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to the START III position If the engine does not start right away do not hold the key in START Ill for more than 15 seconds at a time Pause for at least 10 seconds before trying again 5 If the engine does not start within 15 seconds or starts but stalls right away repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half way down If the engine starts release pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race 6 If the engine still does not start press the accelerator pedal all the way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding As before keep the ignition key in the START Ill position for no more than 15 seconds Return to step 5 if the engine does not start If it starts lift your foot off the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race Automatic Transmission 1 Apply the parking brake 2 In co
117. iate to increase fuel economy A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine It is not necessary to warm up a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time You can drive away in about a minute no matter how cold it is outside The engine will warm up faster and you get better fuel economy To cut down on the number of cold starts try to combine several short trips into one The air conditioner puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel Turn off the A C to cut down on air conditioner use Use the flow through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate Accessories Your Honda dealer has many acces sories available to personalize your car Some of these are audio sys tems alloy wheels air conditioning and color coordinated carpet floor mats All Genuine Honda Acces sories have been approved by our engineers for installation and use on your car and are covered by warranty For a complete guide to the Genuine Honda Accessories available see your dealer for a 1992 Accessories brochure Some non Honda accessories you can buy in the aftermarket are designed for universal applications Although they may fit your Honda they may not be within factory specifications For example after market wheels may not meet Honda s specifications for width and offset They could cause sus pension problems which would not be covered by your warranty Im properly designed access
118. ide under the belt in a severe crash and be very seriously injured For information on how to adjust the seat back see page 52 Door Locks It is not safe to leave your car doors unlocked A passenger especially a child could open a door and accidentally fall out Also there is a greater chance of being thrown out of the car during a crash when the doors are not locked Additional Safety Information Storing Cargo Safely Before you drive make sure you first securely store or tie down any items that could be thrown around the car and hurt someone or interfere with your ability to operate the controls Do not put any items on top of the rear shelf They can block your view and they could be thrown about the car in a crash Be sure to keep compartment doors closed when the car is moving If a front passenger hits the door of an open glove box for example he could injure his knees Driving with Pets Loose pets can be a hazard while you are driving A loose pet can interfere with your ability to drive the car In acrash or sudden stop loose pets or cages can be thrown around inside the car and hurt you or your passengers It is also for their safety that pets should be properly restrained in your car The recommended way to restrain a medium sized or larger dog is with a special traveling harness This harness can be secured to the rear seat with a seat belt Travel harnesses are available at pet stor
119. ile driving in any shift position it indicates a possible problem in the transmission Avoid rapid acceleration and have the trans mission checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible Gauges ODOMETER x10000 r min PREMIUM UNLEADED FUEL ONLY TACHOMETER Speedometer U S Models This shows your speed in miles per hour The smaller inner numbers are the speed in kilometers per hour Canadian Models This shows your speed in kilo meters per hour The smaller inner numbers are the speed in miles per hour TRIP METER TRIP METER RESET BUTTON SPEEDOMETER Tachometer 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 Odometer The odometer shows the total dis tance your car has been driven It measures miles in U S models and kilometers in Canadian models It is illegal under federal law in the U S and provincial regulations in Canada to alter the odometer with the intent to change the number of miles or kilometers indicated Trip Meter 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 Instruments and Controls 37 Gauges FUEL GAUGE GAUGE TEMPERATURE n B amp Cm 8 Cae J C IC JC ol i888 DC Oma CE CADCHDCE
120. iler tracks a smaller arc than the car and can hit or run over something that the car misses When passing another vehicle make sure the trailer is clear before changing lanes 124 Driving The car trailer combination is more affected by crosswinds and buffet ing When being passed by a large vehicle keep a constant speed and steer straight ahead If there is too much wind buffeting slow down to get out of the other vehicle s air turbulence Towing atrailer puts an extra load on your car You should have your car serviced according to the Maintenance schedule under severe driving conditions on page 130 This extra load is magnified when you are driving in hilly terrain Watch the temperature gauge closely when climbing hills If it gets near the hot area turn off the air conditioner if it is on If this does not reduce the heat it may be necessary to pull to the side of the road and wait for the engine to cool If the automatic transmission shifts frequently between 3rd and 4th gears put it in Ds This will help prevent the transmission from overheating Help keep the brakes from overheating by shifting to a lower gear when going downhill If you have to stop while going up hill do not hold the car in place by pressing on the accelerator This can cause the automatic transmis sion to overheat Use the parking brake or footbrake Towing a Trailer When parking your car and trailer especially on
121. ill pull it in the rest of the way and begin to play The Aor W will light to show you which side of the cassette is playing The A indicates the side you inserted facing upward is now playing To play the other side of the tape press the PROG button The system also has an Auto reverse feature It will automati cally reverse direction when it reaches the end of the cassette If the cassette is a metal tape chromium dioxide or CrO2 you will see METAL displayed The system automatically adjusts for the special frequency character istics of metal tape CASSETTE SLOT METAL INDICATOR TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR ON VOL KNOB PROG PLAY BUTTON BUTTON If the tape was recorded with Dolby B noise reduction turnit onby pressing the button DOLBY EJECT BUTTON BUTTON To remove the cassette from the drive press the EJECT button The system automatically ejects the cassette whenever you turn off the system or the ignition switch Comfort and Convenience Features 81 Audio System S Cassette Search Functions Once a cassette is playing you can use the REW FF SKIP or REPEAT function to look for desired songs or passages Press the REW button to rewind the cassette Press the FF button to fast forward The cassette stops playing and the light in the button flashes To stop rewind or fast forward press the PLAY button If the system reaches the end of the cassette while in fa
122. in heavy traffic or driving up long hills If the temperature indication climbs near the H turn off the air conditioner until the gauge reads normally 72 Comfort and Convenience Features FAN CONTROL LEVER Heating and Cooling To Dehumidify and Defog with A C An air conditioner removes mois ture from the air as it operates You can use it to defog the win dows quickly in cool or damp wea ther Used in combination with the heater it also makes the interior warm and dry This setting is best for all driving conditions whenever the outside temperature is above 32 F 0 C 1 Set the fan to a medium speed 2 Turn on the air conditioner 3 Select any desired mode button is usually best 4 Adjust the temperature control lever so the mixture of heated and cooled air is at a comfortable temperature You can defog the side windows more quickly by shutting the corner vents and opening the side defroster vents MODE BUTTONS AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON an i E a m Calli TEMPERATURE FAN CONTROL CONTROL LEVER LEVER CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features 73 Heating and Cooling To Heat To warm the interior press f and select the Fresh Air mode Set the fan to the desired speed Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control lever To warm the interior rapidly after the car has been sitting out in cold weather 1 Start the engine 2 Sel
123. ion A summary of information you need when you pull up to the gas pump Introduction Congratulations Your selection of a 1992 Honda Prelude was a wise investment It will give you years of driving pleasure To enhance the enjoyment of your new car take time to study this manual In it you will learn about your car s many conveniences and useful features Following the service interval and maintenance recommendations will help keep your driving trouble free while preserving your investment Keep this owner s manual in your car so you can refer to it at any time Please make sure the manual stays with the car if you sell it The next owner will find it just as helpful Several other booklets in the glove box explain the warranties that protect your Honda We suggest you read them carefully so you understand the coverages and the responsibilities of ownership When your car needs scheduled maintenance keep in mind that your Honda dealer s service staff is specially trained in the service and maintenance of the many systems unique to your Honda Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns Best wishes and happy motoring American Honda Motor Co Inc Honda Canada Inc 31SS0604 Safety Messages Your safety and the safety of others is very important We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on the vehicle Please read these messages carefu
124. ion An oil that is only classified SF is not recommended Additives Your Honda does not need any oil additives Purchasing additives fo the engine or transmission will not increase your car s performance ol longevity It only increases the cos of operating your car Engine Oil Oil and Filter Changes Always change the oil and filter according to the time and mileage recommendations on the mainte nance schedule The oil and filter collect contaminants that can dam age your engine if they are not removed regularly Changing the oil and filter requires special tools and access from underneath the car The car should be raised on a service station type hydraulic lift for this service Unless you have the knowledge and proper equipment you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic Repeated prolonged exposure to used motor oil may cause skin cancer Wash your hands thoroughly with strong soap as soon as possible after handling used oil OIL DRAIN BOLT 1 Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature then shut it off The oil engine components and the exhaust system are hot and can burn you Use caution and wear protec tive clothing while working in the engine compartment OIL FILTER 2 Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap Remove the oil drain bolt from the bottom of the engine Drain the oil into an appropriate container 3 Remove the oil fi
125. ions cesses 207 Turn Signal Lights 167 Bulbs Halogen 164 Cables Jump Starting With 191 Capacities Chaft ce 206 Carbon Monoxide Hazard 25 Cargo Loading 106 Cassette Player Calica calidad wiwixeiians 94 Operation eects 81 91 Catalytic Converter 213 224 CAUTION Explanation of ii Center Console Compartment 64 Certification Label 204 GNAINS nannan 163 Change Oil HOW O n eaaa 137 When to ssseeeeeeeseeeeesnesreseeene 129 Changing a Flat Tire 185 Changing Engine Coolant 140 Charging System Light 33 196 Check Engine Light 34 197 Checking Automatic Transmission PUIG aa weedeat 144 Battery Condition 2 152 Brake Fluid ceeeeeeeee 146 Clutch Fluid eee 147 Engine Belts scescecececeees 158 Engine Oil ee eeeeeeeeneeeereeees 135 FUSOS niini 199 Manual Transmission Fluid 145 Power Steering Fluid 148 Radiator Coolant 139 Checklist Before Driving 108 Child Satety ecceecceseeneeeees 18 Cigarette Lighter ee 65 Cleaner Aiil 0 cccccsscceeeeeeees 149 Cleaning EXEN ON eiee ee 176 IMENO en hee 179 Seat BeltS c ccecsecesseeseeeeeeee 179 Wi snrnid 179 CLEAN Lidht ceeee 94 Clock Setting the eee 63 Clutch Fluid eeeeeeeeeeees 147 CO
126. it in the rest of the way and begin to play The A or W will light to show you which side of the cassette is playing The A indicates the side you inserted facing upward is now playing To play the other side of the tape press the PROG PLAY button The system also has an Auto reverse feature It will automati cally reverse direction when it reaches the end of the cassette ON OFF VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR METAL INDICATOR base 9888 J AD ST w AUTO EJECT BUTTON If the cassette is a metal tape chromium dioxide or CrO2 you will see MTL displayed The system automatically adjusts for the special frequency character istics of metal tape Dolby noise reduction turns on when you insert a cassette If the PROG PLAY BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON tape was not recorded with Dolby B noise reduction turn it off by pressing the button To remove the cassette from the drive press the EJECT button The system automatically ejects the cassette whenever you turn off the system or the ignition switch Comfort and Convenience Features 91 Audio System Si SR Cassette Search Functions Once a cassette is playing you can use the FF REW TMS or REPEAT function to look for desired songs or passages To rewind the tape push the FF REW TMS button down then release it You will see REW in the display To fast forward the tape push the button u
127. ition the wheel so you can see all the instrument panel gauges and warning lights Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in that position 4 Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place by trying to move it up and down Instruments and Controls 43 Steering Wheel Controls Cruise Control Cruise control allows you to maintain a set speed above 25 mph 40 km h without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal It is for cruising on straight open highways It is not recommended for conditions such as city driving winding roads slippery roads heavy rain or bad weather You should have full control of the car under those conditions Improper use of the cruise con trol can lead to a crash Use the cruise control only when traveling on open high ways in good weather 44 instruments and Controls NOTICE The cruise control as it operates moves the accelerator pedal You can damage your car s accelerator mechanism by resting your foot under the pedal and blocking the movement Using the Cruise Control 1 Push in the Cruise Control Master Switch to the left of the steering column The indicator in the switch will light 2 Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph 40 km h Steering Wheel Controls accel RESUME SET decel 3 Press and hold the SET decel button on the steering wheel until the CRUISE CONTROL
128. jury if you have to brake hard See Loading Cargo on page 106 Never drive with the seat back folded down and the trunk lid open See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 25 Instruments and Controls 55 Hazard Warning Rear Window Defogger Hazard Warning Push the red button on the center console to turn onthe hazard warn ing lights four way flashers This causes all four outside turn signals and both indicators in the instru ment panel to flash Use the hazard warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic or if your car is disabled 56 Instruments and Controls Rear Window Defogger The rear window defogger will clear fog frost and thin ice from the window Push the defogger button to turn it on and off The light in the button lights to show the defogger is on If you do not turn it off the defogger will shut itself off after about 25 minutes It also shuts off when you turn off the ignition You have to turn it on again when you restart the car Make sure the rear window is clear and you have good visibility before starting to drive The defogger wires on the inside of the rear window can be acciden tally damaged When cleaning the glass always wipe side to side Power Windows Your car s windows are electri cally powered Turn the ignition switch to ON II to raise or lower any window Each door has a switch that controls its window To open the
129. k the total weight and the weight at each axle then compare them to the specifications Trailer Hitches Your Honda dealer or the Honda Customer Relations Zone Office can give you advice on the proper hitch for your car Never use a hitch that mounts only to the rear bumper The bumper is not designed to handle that type of load The hitch should bolt to the underbody of the car and distribute the load over a wide area Always have a trailer hitch installed by a qualified technician NOTICE A trailer hitch that is not adequate for the size of the trailer or a hitch that is improperly installed can cause damage to the underside of your car Towing a Trailer Mirrors Many states and provinces have laws requiring special outside mirrors when you are towing a trailer Check the laws in your area You may want to install mirrors even if they are not required Hook up the trailer and see how much it obscures your ability to see behind you with the standard mirrors If you cannot see directly behind you or have a large blind spot next to the trailer or the car you should install mirrors intended for towing Connecting the Trailer Most trailers that have a gross weight of 450 kg 1 000 Ibs do not have their own braking system If you are thinking of getting a trailer that does have brakes make sure they are electrically operated There are no provisions in your car to tap into its hydraulic
130. ld be towed with the front wheels off the ground If due to damage your car must be towed with the front wheels on the ground do the following 5 Speed Transmission e Release the parking brake e Shift the transmission to Neutral Automatic Transmission e Release the parking brake e Start the engine e Shift to D4 then to N e Turn off the engine NOTICE Improper towing preparation will damage the transmission Follow the above procedure exactly If you cannot shift the transmission or start the engine automatic trans mission your car must be trans ported on a flat bed e It is best to tow the car no far ther than 80 km 50 miles and keep the speed below 35 mph 55 km h NOTICE 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 Technical Information The diagrams in this section give you the dimensions and capacities of your Honda and the locations of the identification numbers The explanations of several electronic and mechanical systems on your Honda are for the more technically oriented owner Identification Numbers 204 Specifications cccceeeeeeees 206 Anti lock Brake System 208 Supplemental Restraint Syste Minn 209 Four Wheel Steering s es 210 Emission Controls 0 000 211 The Clean Air Act cee 211 Cra
131. ld weather turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery 3 Make sure the shift lever is in Park Press on the brake pedal 4 Without touching the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to the START III position If the engine does not start right away do not hold the key in START II for more than 15 seconds at atime Pause for at least 10 seconds before trying again CONTINUED Driving 109 Starting the Engine 5 If the engine does not start within 15 seconds or starts but stalls right away repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half way down If the engine starts release pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race If the engine still does not start press the accelerator pedal all the way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding As before keep the ignition key inthe START Ill position for no more than 15 seconds Return to step 5 if the engine does not start If it starts lift your foot off the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race 110 Driving Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude Above 2 400 meters 8 000 feet An engine is harder to start in cold weather The thinner air found at high altitude above 2 400 meters 8 000 feet adds to the problem Use the following procedure 1 Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery 2 Push the accelerator pedal half way to
132. lly A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert symbol A and one of three words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These mean You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don t follow instructions You CAN be HURT if you don t follow instructions Each safety message tells you what the hazard is what can happen and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury You will also see another important symbol NOTICE Your Honda or other property can be damaged if you don t follow instructions Driver and Passenger Safety This section gives you important information about occupant protection It shows how to use seat belts properly It explains the Supplemental Restraint System And it gives useful information about how to protect infants and children in your car Your Occupant Protection SVEI a A AE E E E 4 The Seat Belt System and How It WorksS c ee 5 Why Wear Seat Belts 5 Important Safety Reminders 5 Seat Belt System Components 6 Lap Shoulder Belt c06 6 Wearing Seat Belts Properly 6 Wearing a Lap Shoulder Belt E S EAA 7 Advice for Pregnant Women 8 Seat Belt Maintenance 9 Supplemental Restraint System 10 Important Safety Reminder 11 How the Driver s Ai
133. lter and let the remaining oil drain A special wrench available from your Honda dealer is required to remove the filter CONTINUED Maintenance 137 Engine Oil OIL DRAIN BOLT 4 Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it 5 Put a new washer on the drain bolt then reinstall the drain bolt Tighten it to 40 N m 4 0 kgm 29 lb ft 138 Maintenance 6 Refill the engine with the recom mended oil Engine oil capacity including filter US S Canada S 3 8 2 4 0 US qt 3 3 Imp qt US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 4 3 2 4 5 US qt 3 8 Imp qt 7 Replace the oil filler cap Start the engine The oil pressure indicator light should go out within five seconds If it does not turn off the engine and reinspect your work 8 Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt and oil filter for leaks 9 Turn off the engine let it sit for several minutes then check the oil level If necessary add oil to bring the level to the upper mark on the dipstick NOTICE If you change your own oil please dispose of the used oil properly Put itin a sealed container and take it to a recycling center Do not discard it in a trash bin or dump it on the ground The oil and filter should be chang ed every 6 months or 12 000 km 7 500 miles whichever comes first Under severe driving conditions they should be changed every 3 months or
134. ly downshift by push ing the accelerator pedal to the floor The transmission will shift down one or two gears depending on your speed Second 2 To shift to Second press the release button on the side of the shift lever This position locks the transmission in second gear It does not downshift to first gear when you come to a stop Second gives you more power when climbing and increased engine braking when going down steep hills Use second gear when start ing out on a slippery surface or in deep snow It will help reduce wheelspin Whenever you move the shift lever to alower gear the transmission downshifts only if the engine s redline will not be exceeded in the lower gear First 1 To shift from Second to First press the release button on the side of the shift lever With the lever in this position the transmis sion locks in First gear By upshift ing and downshifting through 1 2 D3 and D4 you can operate this transmission much like a manual transmission without a clutch pedal Automatic Transmission Maximum Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximums for the given position If you exceed these speeds the engine speed will enter into the tachometer s red zone If this occurs you will feel the engine cut in and out This is caused by a limiter in the engine s computer controls The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone US S Canada S Position
135. n Air flows into the interior at three levels Toward the floor af through the dash vents 77 and toward the windshield and side windows You select the air flow level or combination of levels with the five mode buttons Ventilation Your car has a flow through ventilation system Air enters the car through vents in front of the windshield It circulates through the interior then exits through vents near the rear window This system provides fresh air even when the car is standing still To bring in outside air select the Fresh Air mode Set the fan ata comfortable speed CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features 71 Heating and Cooling To Cool To operate the air conditioner press the air conditioning button Set the fan to the desired speed Youcanalsousethe 4 mode button to direct air out of the dash and heater vents Tocool the interior down rapidly after the car has been sitting in the sun 1 Start the engine 2 Turn onthe A C by pressing the button 3 Set the fan to maximum speed 4 Open the windows partially Select the Recirculation mode and WW When the interior reaches a com fortable temperature close the windows and set the system for cooling as described above MODE BUTTONS AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER The air conditioner places an extra load on the engine Watch the coolant temperature gauge see page 38 when using the A C
136. n many crash situations Remember however that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that can occur in severe crashes The Seat Belt System and How It Works Why Wear Seat Belts Wearing seat belts and wearing them properly is fundamental to your safety and the safety of your passengers During acrash or emergency stop seat belts can help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the car against other occupants or out of the car Of course seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash But in most cases seat belts reduce your chance of serious injury They can even save your life That is why many states and all Canadian provinces require you to wear seat belts Not wearing a seat belt in creases the chance of being killed or seriously hurt ina crash Be sure you and your passen gers always wear seat belts and wear them properly Important Safety Reminders Seat belts are designed for adults and larger children All infants and small children must be properly restrained in child safety seats see page 18 A pregnant woman needs to wear a seat belt to protect herself and her unborn child see page 9 Two people should never use the same seat belt If they do they could be very seriously injured ina crash Do not put shoulder belt pads or other accessories on seat belts They can reduce the effectiveness of the belts and increase the chance of injury Driv
137. n your car Body Repair Manual This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts Index Accessories Installation 105 ACCESSORY Ignition Key Position 48 Adding Automatic Transmission lOO E E E E 144 Brake Fluid 146 Clutch Fluid aaaaaeaaaeaaenann 147 Engine Oil Haiene 135 Manual Transmission Fluid 145 Power Steering Fluid 148 Radiator Coolant 05 139 Windshield Washer fluid 143 Additional Safety Information 16 Door LOCKS ccccccceesseeeseesseeeees 16 Driving with Pets 17 Seat back Position 005 16 Storing Cargo Safely 17 Additives Engine Oil 136 Adjustments MirrOVr ccccccccceeeeeeeeeeseeseeeeeeeeee 59 SEAS eee 5 Steering Wheel e eee 43 Airbag SRS cecccceecceceeseeeeeeeees 10 Air Conditioning eeeeee 68 Maintenance 2 s ccceeee 157 WSAG6 iniunat 68 Air Filter ceeceeeeceeeceeeeeeees 149 Air Outlets Vents eee 68 Air Pressure Tires 008 159 Alcohol and DruQ6 eeee 24 Alcohol in Gasoline 98 Antifre Ze 2 ccccccceeceeeereeeeeeeeee 139 Anti lock Brakes ABS DeSCription ceeeeeeeeeeeees 208 Indicator Light 34 118 Operation eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees wie Anti theft Steering Column Lock oE 48 Appearance Care 175
138. nel has many indicators to give you important information about your car Lamp Check Many of the indicator lights come on when you turn the ignition switch ON II allowing you to see that they are working The instru ment panel should look like the illustration If an indicator does not light during this test it cannot alert you if that system develops a prob lem Have the dealer check your car for burned out bulbs or other problems HIGH BEAM INDICATOR FOUR WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM 4WS INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR ust LLL wW 5 2 Sy 6 CDR NA 7 S S3 5 OPS RN 00000000T B ORS ap 2 11000 r min Ong oh qo PREMIUM UNLEADED FUEL ONLY 1 On Egan CONTINUED Instruments and Controls 31 Indicator Lights The U S instrument panel is CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT shown Differences for the Canadi an model are noted in the text LOW FUEL INDICATOR BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR came rr 1888 lt a EED Kamat GES SOCADOS OCR DCA L D COO sat 1 PARKING BRAKE TRUNK OPEN INDICATOR AND BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT SEAT BELT DOOR OPEN INDICATOR REMINDER LIGHT CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT 32 Instruments and Controls Indicator Lights Seat Belt Reminder Light This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON Il It is a r
139. ng Engine Oll 135 AddING eninin 135 Recommended Oil 2 2 136 AdAIVO Seion aiaa 136 Oil and Filter Changes 137 Cooling System cece 139 Checking the Coolant Level 139 Adding Radiator Coolant 139 Replacing Coolant 140 Windshield Washers 143 Transmission Ool ccee 144 Automatic Transmission 144 5 speed Transmission 145 Brake and Clutch Fluid 146 Brake System 146 Anti lock Brake System 147 Clutch System 147 Power Steering 148 Air Filter cccceessseeeessreeeeeeees 149 Fuel Filter 2 ccceccceeeeeeeeeeee 150 Spark Pl gS sireisas 150 Replacement seeeeeeeeeeeeeeen 150 Specification eee 152 Batley eoii anonanse 152 Windshield Wipers eseeeeeeeees 155 Air Conditioner 157 Engine Belts eee 158 TWOSi3 shied eiaeewion dened 158 MANON neisiou isinna 158 NSpEctiOn seeen 159 Maintenance 160 Tire Rotation 160 Replacing Tires assesses 161 Wheels and Tires 161 DOT Tire Quality Grading 161 TrEAdWEAN eee eeeeeseeesetees 161 FRACHON vicsduiscetecerecesicevscavsiest 162 Temperature 162 Winter Driving 163 SNOW Tires 163 Tire Chains 163 LIQ sciscessetei eserves deeencrsncricls 164 Replacing Bulbs 0 ee 164 Storing Your Cat 173 Maintenance 127 Maintenance Schedule The Required Main
140. ng wheel for the driver On Si 4WS model An airbag in the dashboard for the passenger e A diagnostic system that continu ally monitors the sensors control unit airbag activators and all related wiring while the ignition is ON II Supplemental Restraint System e An indicator light to warn you of a possible problem with the system e Emergency power backup in case your car s electrical system is disconnected in a crash Important Safety Reminder Frontal collision range Even with an airbag you need to wear a seat belt The reasons are e Airbags only inflate in severe frontal collisions They offer no protection in rear impacts side impacts rollovers or moderate frontal collisions e An airbag inflates and deflates very quickly It cannot protect you during any additional impacts that can occur during a crash e A seat belt helps keep you in the proper position when an airbag inflates An airbag opens with considerable force and it can hurt you if you are not in the proper position Driver and Passenger Safety 11 Supplemental Restraint System How the Driver s Airbag Works If you ever have a severe frontal collision your airbag will instantly inflate to help protect your head and chest When the airbag inflates you may hear a fairly loud noise and you might see smoke and powder This is normal it is caused by the inflation of the airbag 12 Driver and Passenger Safe
141. ning 180 Glove BOX cccecceceeeeeeteeeeeeeeeees 62 C e E Halogen Headlight Bullbs 164 Hazard Warning Flashers 56 Headlights Daytime Running Lights 40 High Beam Indicator 35 High Beams Turning on 40 Low Beams Turning on 40 Reminder Chime 00 40 Replacing Halogen Bulbs 164 TUNING ONL ee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 40 Heating and Cooling 0 68 High Altitude Starting at 110 High Low Beam Switch 40 Hood Opening the cee 101 FIOM 2h testiesseeerieeeic teva iets 47 Hot Coolant Warning about 139 Hydraulic Clutch eee 147 Hydroplaning eseeeeeeeeeeees 119 2 ee Identification Number AV 6 6 re 204 lf Your Car Has to be Towed Ignition KO YS ia ee Sie 47 DWINCH aes EEEE EET 47 Timing Control System 212 Indicator Lights Instrument Panel isinisisi asides 31 Infant Restraint eee 19 Inflation Proper Tire 158 Inside Mirror 59 Inspection Tire 159 Instrument Panel 30 Instrument Panel Brightness 41 Interior Cleaning eee 179 Interior Lights eee 66 IMtPOCUCTION scs i 5 see tivieeeteniteeeciens i Jacking up the Cal 185 Jack Tire ceccccccccceceeessseeeeeeeeeees 185 Jump Starting eee 191 E E A E E E E 47 Label Certification 204 Lane Change Signaling
142. nkcase Emission Control Syste Misni 211 Evaporative Emission Control System 00 ceecececeeeteeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 211 Exhaust Emission Controls 212 PGM FI System ee 212 Ignition Timing Control SYSIOM socctsestavsee fascieteedaeeees 2 Exhaust Gas Recirculation 00 212 Catalytic Converter 212 Replacement Parts 212 Catalytic Converter 208 213 Technical Information 203 Identification Numbers Your car has several identifying numbers located in various places The Vehicle Identification Number VIN is the 17 digit number your Honda dealer uses to register your car for warranty purposes It is also necessary for licensing and insur ing your car The easiest place to find the VIN is on a plate fastened to the top of the dashboard You can see it by looking through the windshield on the driver s side It is also on the Certification label at tached to the driver s door jamb and is stamped on the engine com partment bulkhead The VIN is also provided in bar code on the Certification label 204 Technical Information VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER CERTIFICATION LABEL Identification Numbers The Engine Number is stamped MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER into the engine block The Transmission Number is ona label on top of the transmission ENGINE NUMBER Technical Information 205 Specifications
143. o heater A C rear defogger cruise control etc Try not to use other electrically operated controls such as the power windows Keep the engine running and take extra care not to stall it Starting the engine will discharge the battery rapidly By eliminating as much of the electrical load as possible you can drive several miles before the battery is too discharged to keep the engine running Drive toa service station or garage where you can gettechnical assistance Check Engine Light se enue ae DED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT If the check engine light comes on while driving there is a problem with your engine or its emission control systems Even though you may feel no difference in your car s performance it can reduce your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions Continued operation may cause serious engine damage If this light comes on safely pull off the road and turn off the engine Restart the engine and watch the check engine light If it stays on have your car checked by the dealer as soon as possible You should also have the dealer inspect your car if the light comes on frequently even though it goes off when you do the above procedure NOTICE If you keep driving with the check engine light on you can damage your car s emission controls and engine Those repairs are not covered by your car s warranties Taking Care of the Unexpecte
144. o not use a blade type feeler gauge Plug gap should be 1 1 mm 0 04 in 5 Put the new spark plug into the socket then thread 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 tight en the spark plug one quarter turn after it contacts the cylinder head Tightening torque 18 N m 1 8 kg m 13 lb ft NOTICE 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 CONTINUED Maintenance 151 Spark Plugs Battery Specifications US S Canada S Normal driving conditions NGK ZFR5F 11 Nippondenso KJ16CR L11 Hot climates or continuous high speed driving NGK ZFR6F 11 Nippondenso KJ20CR L11 US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS Normal driving conditions NGK ZFR6F 11 Nippondenso KJ20CR L11 Hot climates or continuous high speed driving NGK ZFR7F 11 Nippondenso KJ22CR L11 152 Maintenance Battery Check the condition of your car s battery monthly You should check for proper electrolyte level and corrosion on the terminals The battery gives off explo sive hydrogen gas during nor mal operation A spark or open flame can cause the battery to explode with enough force to kill o
145. objects See page 159 Battery Check its condition and the terminals for corrosion monthly See page 152 Air conditioner Check its operation weekly See page 157 Lights Check the operation of the headlights parking lights taillights high mount brake light turn signals brake lights and license plate lights monthly See page 164 Maintenance 1 33 Fluid Locations BRAKE FLUID Gray cap ANTI LOCK BRAKE 5 M T only RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID Gray cap Gray cap ENGINE OIL COOLANT FILLER CAP RESERVOIR peg wit POWER STEERING Sse EF N FLUID Red cap AUTOMATIC lt lt TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK WASHER FLUID Yellow loop Blue cap ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK Orange loop 134 Maintenance Engine Oil Checking Engine Oil DIPSTICK Check the engine oil a couple of minutes after shutting off the engine This will allow the oil to drain down to the bottom of the engine Make sure the car is parked on level ground 1 Pull out the dipstick orange loop and wipe it with a cloth or paper towel 2 Insert it all the way back in its tube UPPER MARK LOWER MARK 3 Pull it out again and look at the oil level at the end of the dipstick If it is between the upper and lower marks the level is correct Add oil if the level is at or below the lower mark Adding OIL FILLER CAP To add oil unscrew and r
146. odulator solenoid unit must have brake fluid under high pressure This is supplied by an accumulator that is pressurized by an electric pump A pressure sensing switch on the accumulator controls this pump The control unit also contains error detection circuitry It monitors the operation of the wheel sensors solenoids pump and electronics If the control unit detects any faults it shuts off power to the pump motor and solenoids The light on the instrument panel comes on The brakes then work like a conventional system without anti lock capabilities Supplemental Restraint System The Honda Supplemental Restraint System SRS is standard on all Preludes sold in the U S and the SR SR 4WS sold in Canada The SRS includes the steering wheel airbag assembly sensors in the dashboard andacontrol unit with sensors behind the center console On Si 4WS model The system also has a dashboard mounted airbag assembly for the passenger The sensors are decelerometers set to trigger in a frontal impact that generates more force than a 10 mile per hour barrier crash For the SRS to activate at least two sen sors must trigger This duplication is to prevent accidental activation When the control unit receives trigger signals from at least two sensors it sends voltage to the airbag The control unit stores this charge in capacitors to insure reliability even if a severe impact damages the car s battery or ele
147. ol Gasoline containing more than 10 ethanol by volume may cause starting and or performance problems Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name Gasohol METHANOL methyl or wood alcohol Gasoline containing methanol must contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the fuel system Gasoline contain ing more than 5 methanol by volume may cause starting and or performance problems and may damage metal rubber and plastic parts of your fuel system MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether You may use gasoline containing up to 15 MTBE by volume Before using an oxygenated fuel try to confirm the fuel s contents Some states and provinces require this information to be posted on the pump If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms switchtoa conventional unleaded gasoline Fuel system damage or perform ance problems resulting from the use of an oxygenated fuel are not the responsibility of Honda and are not covered under warranty NOTICE Oxygenated fuels can damage paint and plastic Be careful not to spill fuel when filling your fuel tank Damage caused by spilled fuel is not covered under warranty Driving in Foreign Countries Using any type of leaded gasoline in your Honda will affect perform ance and damage its emission con trols Unleaded gasoline may not be available in other countries If you are planning to take your car out side the U S or Cana
148. ol system 4 Eae i asl Ignition timing Positive crankcase ventilation valve Valve clearance Fuel filter Fuel line and connections Spark plugs Distributor cap and rotor Ignition wiring 4 el Lael tamed H i 4 Engine oil and oil filter Alternator drive belt z az Fa 4 Fo Power steering pump belt Cooling system hoses and connections Radiator coolant Transmission oil te Hr ji ft Engine Non Emission Related Timing belt and timing balancer belt Water pum Catalytic converter heat shield Exhaust pipe and muffler Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop Under severe driving conditions service these items more often For cars sold in California this service is recommended only other areas it is required 2 Tension adjustment only 1 3 Thereafter replace every 2 years or 48 000 km 30 000 miles which ever comes first 4 For cars with Anti lock brake system US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS Non Scheduled Maintenance Record Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non scheduled maintenance on this page see page 130 Maintenance Sign or Stamp Km Mi Maintenance Sign or Stamp i Km
149. onal Examine the chip or scratch closely before repairing it If it does not go down to bare metal clean it with soap and water and apply the touch up paint If it does go to the metal apply a coat of primer first After this dries apply the touch up paint Build up the paint in the damaged area to the level of the surrounding paint Several thin coats of paint are better than one thick coat Interior Care Carpeting Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt Ground in dirt will make the carpet wear out faster Periodically shampoo the carpet to keep it looking new Use one of the foam type carpet cleaners on the market Follow the instructions that come with the cleaner apply ing it with a sponge or soft brush Keep the carpeting as dry as possi ble by not adding water to the foam Fabric Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently For general cleaning use a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water letting it air dry To clean off stubborn spots use a commercially available fabric cleaner Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first to make sure it does not bleach or stain the fabric Follow the instructions that come with the cleaner Vinyl Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum cleaner Wipe the vinyl with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of mild soap and water Use the same solution with a soft bristle brush on more difficult spots You can also use commercially available spr
150. ont door with the key in the LOCK or ACCESSORY position Remove the key to turn it off Keys and Locks Door Locks Each door has a lock tab next to the inside door handle Push the tab in to lock the door and pull it out to unlock To lock the passenger s door when getting out of the car push the lock tab in and close the door To lock the driver s door pull the door handle and push the lock tab in Release the handle then close the door The doors can also be locked and unlocked from the outside with the key Power Door Locks Available only on Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and SR and SR 4WS models in Canada Each door has a master door lock switch Either switch locks and unlocks both doors Push the switch down to lock and up to unlock CONTINUED InstrumentsandControls 49 Keys and Locks Both doors lock when you push in the lock tab on the driver s door or lock the driver s door from the outside with the key Only the driver s door unlocks when you use the key or lock tab To unlock the passenger s door use the master door lock switch or pull out the lock tab on passenger s door Lockout Prevention If you forget and leave the key in the ignition switch Lockout Prevention will not allow you to lock the driver s door With either door open and the key in the ignition the master door lock switches are disabled If you try to lock the driver s door by pushing in t
151. ories can adversely affect your car s han dling and stability Your car has several computer controlled systems including the SRS system the engine s fuel injection and the Anti lock brake system Strong electronic inter ference can affect their operation Electronic communications equip ment such as cellular telephones and two way radios are regulated by the FCC and should not inter fere with your car s systems Improper installation or using electrical equipment not intended for mobile use may interfere with your car s operation If you want to install a cellular telephone other mobile communications equipment or even add on stereo amplifiers please discuss it first with your Honda dealer In many cases improper instal lation is the real cause of problems with aftermarket accessories Have these accessories installed by quali fied technicians who are familiar with your Honda If possible have your Honda dealer inspect the final installation Before Driving 105 Loading Cargo The maximum load you can carry in your Honda is 325 kg 700 Ibs It includes the total weight of all passengers and their belongings any accessories and the tongue weight of a trailer This 325 kg 700 lbs figure is shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire infor mation label attached to the driver s door jamb 106 Before Driving To figure out how much cargo you can carry e Figure the total occupant w
152. ormally after being manually rewound 94 Comfort and Convenience Features Use 100 minute or shorter cas settes Cassettes longer than 100 minutes use thinner tape that may break or jam the drive Look at a cassette before you insert it If the tape is loose tighten it by turning one of the hubs with a pencil or your finger If the label is peeling off do not put it in the player It may cause the cassette to jam in the drive mecha nism when you try to eject it Do not leave cassettes sitting where they are exposed to high heat or humidity such as on top of the dashboard or in the player If a cassette is exposed to extreme heat or cold let it reach a moderate temperature before putting it in the player Theft Protection Theft Protection is standard on the Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and the SR and SR 4WS models in Canada Your audio system is protected by a code number The system immedi ately disables itself whenever the radio player unit is disconnected from the battery To make it work again you must enter a five digit code with the station Preset buttons Your dealer should have given you two copies of your audio system s code number with your car Keep one of these copies at home and the other in your wallet or a con cealed place in the car If your car s battery is discon nected or goes dead the audio system will disable itself The next time you turn on the radio you will se
153. ou have manually preset Turn off AUTO SELECT when you return to your normal recep tion area by pressing the button again The light goes out and the Preset buttons can then select the stations you originally set AUTO SELECT BUTTON You cannot manually store radio station frequencies in the Preset buttons when AUTO SELECT is ON If you do not like the stations found by AUTO SELECT you can still use the TUNE or SEEK function to find other stations Comfort and Convenience Features 89 Audio System Si SR Radio Frequencies Your Honda s radio can tune in all frequencies in both the AM and FM bands Those bands cover these frequen cies AM band 530 kilohertz to 1 710 kilohertz FM band 87 7 megahertz to 107 9 megahertz Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least 10 kilohertz apart 530 540 550 Those on the FM band are assigned frequencies at least 0 2 megahertz apart 87 9 88 1 88 3 Stations must use these exact frequencies It is fairly common for stations to round off the frequency in their advertising so your radio will show a frequency of 100 9 even though the announcer may call the station FM101 90 Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Si SR Operating the Cassette Player Turn the system ON Insert the cassette into the slot with the tape opening to the right Push the cassette in most of the way The drive will pull
154. p then release it You will see FF displayed To stop rewind or fast forward press the PROG PLAY button If the system reaches the end of the cassette while in fast forward or rewind it automatically stops that function reverses direction and begins to play FF REW TMS SWITCH BUTTON Press the REPEAT button to replay the current passage The light in the button illuminates as a reminder When the system reaches the end of the song or passage that is being played it automatically goes into rewind When it senses the beginning of that passage it goes back to play 92 Comfort and Convenience Features PROG PLAY REPEAT BUTTON The system will continue repeating this passage until you turn off REPEAT by pressing the button again Audio System Si SR The TMS function lets you skip to the beginning of a song or other passage The tape skips forward or backward depending on which direction you push the FF REW TMS switch Activate TMS by pushing the FF REW TMS button and holding it until you hear a beep If you push the button down you will see REW blinking in the display as the tape rewinds If you push the button up you will see FF blinking in the display as the tape fast forwards When the system senses a silent period on the tape it goes back to PLAY mode FF REW TMS SWITCH The REPEAT and TMS functions use silent periods on the tape to find the end
155. prevent future corrosion CONTINUED Maintenance 153 Battery 154 Maintenance 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 reconnect it last Clean the battery terminals 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 car s electrical system If your car 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 95 NOTICE Charging the battery with the cables connected can seriously damage your car s electronic controls Detach the battery cables before connecting the battery to a charger Windshield Wipers Check the condition of the wind shield wiper blades at least every six months Look for signs of crack ing 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 1 Raise the wiper arm off the WIPER ARMS windshield LOCK TAB 2 Disconnect the blade assembl
156. psi Spare Tire Pressure 415 kPa 4 15 kg cm 60 psi Tire Size Front and Rear US S Canada S 185 70R14 87H US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 205 55R15 87V Spare Tire US S Canada S T125 70D15 US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS T135 80D15 Other Tire Information See label on the driver s door jamb 5 Speed Transmission Oil SAE 10W 30 or 10W 40 viscosity API SF or SG grade recommended Capacity 1 9 I 2 0 US gt 1 7 Imp qt Automatic Transmission Fluid Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON II type Automatic Trans mission Fluid ATF Capacity 2 41 2 5 US qt 2 1 Imp qt
157. quality items that went into your car when it was new so you can be sure they fit and perform flawlessly U S Cars Maintenance replacement or repair of emission control devices and systems may be done by any automotive re pair establishment or indi vidual using parts that are certified to EPA standards Vehicles sold in California have slightly different maintenance requirements These are noted in the Required Maintenance Sche dule Other maintenance operations are required by California regula tions and condition the emission warranty Maintenance Schedule R Replace Inspect After inspection clean adjust repair or replace if necessary Service at the interval listed x 1 000 km or miles or after that number of months whichever comes first months Brakes Non Emission Related Front brake pads 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I Front brake discs and calipers D n D D Rear brake discs calipers and pads iva i im na Brake hoses and lines including Anti lock brake system ey ae Ce ee I I I I Parking brake Po rp Torit tT Brake fluid including Anti lock brake system eae Real eS ER R Anti lock brake system operation el i ele i IE I Anti lock brake system high pressure hose R ea Steering and suspension Non Emission Related Front wheel alignment Except 4WS model
158. quencies with each Preset button 2 Use the TUNE or SEEK func TUNE SEEK AM FM PRESET BUTTONS tion to tune the radio to a desired SWITCH BUTTON station Once that station s frequency is 3 Pick the Preset button you want stored simply press and release the for that station Press the button proper preset button to tune to it If and hold it until you hear a beep you want to change any preset button s selection store another fre 4 Repeat steps 1 to 3to storea quency as described The frequen total of six stations on AM and cies you preset will be lost if your twelve on FM car s battery goes dead or is discon nected 88 Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Si SR The AUTO SELECT function allows you to find stations easily when you are in an unfamiliar area Press the AUTO SELECT button The system automatically scans both bands to find six strong stations on AM and twelve on FM and stores their frequencies in the Preset buttons You can then use the Preset buttons in the normal manner to select those stations AUTO SELECT stays displayed next to the frequency as a reminder If you are in a remote area AUTO SELECT may not find enough stations to fill all the available presets If this is the case you will see a 0 displayed when you press any Preset button that does not have a station stored AUTO SELECT LIGHT AUTO SELECT does not erase the stations y
159. r even in an unconfined area with the engine running adjust the heating and cooling system as follows 1 Select the Fresh Air mode 2 Select the mode 3 Turn the fan on high speed 4 Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting Driver and Passenger Safety 25 Reporting Safety Defects US Cars If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addi tion to notifying American Honda Motor Co Inc 26 Driver and Passenger Safety If NHTSA receives similar com plaints it may open an investiga tion and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA can not become involved in individual problems between you your dealer or American Honda Motor Co Inc To contact NHTSA you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll free at 1 800 424 9393 or 366 0123 in Washington D C area or write to NHTSA U S Department of Transportation Washington D C 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline Safety Labels These labels are in the locations shown They warn you of potential hazards that could cause serious injury Read these labels carefully l and don t remove them z If a label comes off or becomes
160. r Engine Won t Start 190 Nothing Happens 005 190 The Starter Operates Normallly eeeeeeceeseeeseeeeeeeees 191 Jump Starting 191 If Your Engine Overheats 193 Low Oil Pressure 195 Charging System Indication 196 Check Engine Light 0 197 Closing the Sunroof e08 198 PUSES nnne 199 Checking and Replacing 200 eno E E 202 Taking Care of the Unexpected 183 Compact Spare Tire Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space Use this spare tire as a temporary replace ment only Get your regular tire repaired or replaced and put back on your car as soon as you can Check the inflation of the compact spare tire every time you check the other tires It should be inflated to 415 kPa 4 15 kg cm 60 psi 184 Taking Care of the Unexpected Follow these precautions whenever you are using the compact spare tire e Do not exceed 50 mph 80 km h under any circumstances e This tire gives a harsher ride and less traction on some road sur faces than the regular tire Use greater caution while driving on this tire e Do not mount snow chains on the compact spare e The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit your car Do not use your spare tire on another car unless it is the same make and model INDICATOR LOCATION J TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR The compact spare tire has a shorter t
161. r Neutral and set the parking brake Pull the hood release handle located under the left lower corner of the dash board The hoodwill pop up slightly Standing in front of the car put your fingers under the front edge of the hood to the right of center Slide your hand to the left until you feel the hood latch handle Push this handle to the left until it releases the hood Lift the hood CLIP SUPPORT ROD 3 Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the hole on the left side of the hood To close the hood lift it up slightly to remove the support rod from the hole Put the support rod back into its holding clip Lower the hood to about a foot above the fender then let it drop CONTINUED Before Driving 101 Service Station Procedures Oil Check DIPSTICK Check the engine oil level every time you fill the car with gas Wait at least two minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil 1 Remove the dipstick orange handle 102 Before Driving 2 Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel 3 Insert it all the way back in its tube Service Station Procedures UPPER MARK LOWER MARK 4 Remove it again and check the level It should be between the upper and lower marks If it is near or below the lower mark see page 135 for information on the proper oil and how to add it Coolant Check RESERVE T
162. r cigarettes cigars and other smoking materials To prevent a possible fire and damage to your car don t put paper or other things that can burn in the ashtrays 65 Interior Lights Ceiling Light Ignition Switch Light DOOR ACTIVATED The ceiling light has a three position switch In the OFF far left position the light does not come on In the center position the interior light comes on when you open either front door In the ON far right position the interior light stays on continuously 66 instruments and Controls Available on Si and Si 4WS models in the U S and on SR and SR 4WS models in Canada This light comes on whenever you open the driver s door Comfort and Convenience Features The heating and air conditioning system in your car provides a com fortable driving environment in all weather conditions The audio sound system is very versatile To get the most from this system take the time to learn what the controls do Some models have an anti theft system that requires a code number to enable it Air conditioner is optional on S model Heating and Cooling 68 What Each Control Does 70 How to Use the System 71 Controlling Air Flow Direction 2 ccccecceceee 71 Ventilation 2 ccceeeeee 71 TO GOO Ms wcseescecteetiece cece 72 To Dehumidify and Defog with A C 2 eeceeeeceeeeeees TO
163. r seriously hurt you Wear protective clothing and a face shield or have a skilled mechanic do the battery main tenance The battery contains sulfuric acid electrolyte which is highly corrosive and poisonous Getting electrolyte in your eyes or on your skin can cause serious burns Wear protective clothing and eye protection when working near the battery Swallowing electrolyte can cause fatal poisoning if immedi ate action is not taken KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN Battery Emergency Procedures Eyes Flush with water from a cup or other container for at least fifteen minutes Water under pressure can damage the eye Immediately call a physician or 911 Skin Remove contaminated clothing Flush the skin with large quantities of water Call a physi cian immediately Swallowing Drink water or milk Call your local Poison Control Center or a physician immediately TEST INDICATOR WINDOW Check the battery condition by looking at the test indicator window on the battery Blue Good condition Red Add distilled water White Charging necessary Check the battery terminals for corrosion a white or yellowish powder To remove it cover the terminals with a solution of baking soda and waiter 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
164. rbag WOKS ii ie fessezecseeseetisseenatresicctne 12 How the Passenger s Airbag WOKS siscccestncticnatvsenedstecenesecetvas 13 How the SRS Indicator Light WORKS vesinccasateccsincscaasssaveechocsseees 14 System Service 14 System Service Precautions 15 Additional Safety Information 16 Seat back Position 0000 16 Door LOCKS 16 Storing Cargo Safely 17 Driving with Pets 17 Child Safety cccceececeeeeeeeeeees 18 Where Should Children Sit 18 Important Safety Reminders 19 General Guidelines for Restraining Children Under 18 kg 40 Ibs 19 Restraining an Infant Who Weighs Less Than 9 kg 20 Ibs 20 Restraining a Child Who Weighs Between 9 and 18 kg 20 and 40 Ibs 20 Using Child Restraints with Tethers 21 Using a Seat Belt LOCKING Clip eceeeeeceeeee 22 Restraining a Child Who Weighs Over 18 kg 40 Ibs 0 23 Storing a Child Seat 23 Alcohol and Drud eeeeee 24 Carbon Monoxide Hazard 25 Reporting Safety Defects WS Cars scseiandiciiesidessetstessescecies 26 Safety Labels ccccceeseeseees 27 Driver and Passenger Safety 3 Your Occupant Protection System Your Honda is equipped with seat belts and other features that work together to protect you and your passengers during a crash Seat belts are the most important part of your occupant protection s
165. read life than a regular tire Replace it when you can see the tread wear indicator bars The replacement should be the same size and design tire mounted on the same wheel The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on aregular wheel and the com pact wheel is not designed for mounting a regular tire Changing a Flat Tire 5 Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of the trunk If you have a flat tire while driving stop in a safe place to change it Stopping in traffic or on the shoul der of a busy road is dangerous Drive slowly along the shoulder until you get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traf fic lanes The car can easily roll off the SPARE TIRE TOOL KIT jack seriously injuring anyone underneath 2 Put the transmission in Park automatic or Reverse 5 speed Follow the directions for chang Set the parking brake ing atire exactly and never get under the car when it is 3 Open the trunk Raise the trunk supported only by the jack floor by lifting up on the back edge 1 Park the car on firm level 4 Take the tool kit out of the trunk ground away from traffic Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition to LOCK 0 CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected 185 Changing a Flat Tire HANDLE 6 The jack is behind a cover in the 7 Turn the jack s end bracket 8 Loosen the four wheel nuts 1 2 right fender Remove the
166. ristle brush to clean them Run the air conditioner 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 contained in the refrigerant If the air conditioner does not get as cold as before it is probably because some of the refrigerant has leaked from the system Have your dealer check the system for leaks and recharge the system with Refrigerant 12 R 12 Charging quantity 750 800 g 26 5 28 3 oz Whenever you have the air condi tioning system serviced make sure the service facility uses a refrige rant recycling system This system captures the refrigerant for reuse Releasing refrigerant into the at mosphere can damage the environ ment Maintenance 157 Engine Belts Tires Engine Belts v Ny 72 Aces ALTERNATOR BELT Check the condition of the two engine 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 10 0 12 0 mm 0 39 0 47 in Power steering belt 13 5 16 5 mm 0 53 0 65 in 158 maintenance If you see signs of wear or loose ness have your dealer adjust or replace the belts Your dealer will check these belts a
167. rs The right lever controls the wind shield wipers and washers The rotary switch at the end of the lever has three positions INT intermittent LO low speed HI high speed In intermittent the wipers operate every few seconds In low speed and high speed the wipers run continuously 42 Instruments and Controls Windshield Washers To operate the wipers in mist mode push the control lever down The wipers run at high speed until you release the lever This gives youa quick way to clear the windshield To clean the windshield pull back on the wiper control lever The washers spray until you release the lever The wipers run at low speed while you re pulling the lever then complete one more sweep of the windshield after you release it Controls Near the Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Adjustment You can adjust the steering wheel height to suit your preference Do this before you begin driving Adjusting the steering wheel position while driving may cause you to lose control of the car and be seriously injured inacrash Adjust the steering wheel only when the car is stopped 1 Adjust the seat so you area comfortable distance from the pedals 2 The lever to tilt the steering wheel is under the steering column to the left Push this lever all the way down 3 Move the steering wheel up or down to the desired position Pos
168. s emission control systems Time mileage and coverage are condi tional Please read the warranty manual for exact information Original Equipment Battery Limited Warranty provides coverage for 36 months with 100 coverage for the first 24 months 216 Warranty and Customer Relations Seat Belt Limited Warranty a seat belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the car Rust Perforation Limited Warranty body panels that rust through from the inside will be repaired or replaced for up to 36 months There is no mileage limit Accessory Limited Warranty Genuine Honda Accessories are covered under this warranty Time and mileage limits depend on the type of accessory and other factors Please read your warranty manual for details Replacement Parts Limited Warranty provides coverage for defects in materials and workman ship for 12 months or 19 200 km 12 000 miles Replacement Battery Limited Warranty provides coverage for up to 36 months with 100 cover age for the first 12 months Replacement Muffler Lifetime Limited Warranty provides coverage for as long as the pur chaser of the muffler owns the car There are restrictions and exclu sions which apply to all these war ranties Please read the 1992 Honda Warranties booklet that came with your car for precise information on warranty coverages Your Honda s original tires are covered by their man
169. s manual e Avoid hard braking New brakes need to be broken in by moderate use for the first 300 km 200 miles You should follow these same re commendations with an overhauled or exchanged engine or when the brakes are relined 98 Before Driving Gasoline Your Honda is designed to operate most effectively on unleaded gasoline Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car s emission controls This contributes to air pollution and can void certain parts of your warranty S model Use an unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent heavy metallic rapping noise that can lead to engine damage All other models Use a premium unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher If you are unable to find premium unleaded you may substitute an unleaded regular gasoline The engine will compensate for the lower octane but you may notice a slight decrease in power as a result Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound to increase the gasoline s octane These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels Some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help meet clean air standards If you use an oxygenated fuel be sure it meets the minimum octane rating requirement as recom mended Gasoline ETHANOL ethyl or grain alcoh
170. s part of the normal scheduled maintenance Tires Check the inflation and condition of your car s tires at least once a month Inflation Check the pressure in the tires when they are cold This means the car has been parked for at least three hours If you have to drive the car before checking the tire pressure the tires can still be considered cold if you drive less than one mile If you check the pressure when the tires are hot the car has been driven several miles you will see readings 28 to 41 kPa 0 3 to 0 4 kg cm 4 to 6 psi higher than the cold reading This is normal Do not let air out to match the specified cold pressure The tire will be underinflated Tires The correct cold tire pressures are US S Canada S 205 kPa 2 1 kg cm 30 psi US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 220 kPa 2 2 kg cm 32 psi Compact spare 415 kPa 4 15 kg cm 60 psi TIRE INFORMATION LABEL These pressures are also given on the tire information label on the driver s door jamb Remember to check the pressure in the spare tire at the same time You should get your own tire pressure gauge and use it at all times That makes it easier for you to tell if a pressure loss is caused by a tire problem and not a variation between gauges Keeping the tires properly inflated provides you with the best combi nation of riding comfort handling and tread life Underinflated tires
171. schedule are not needed unless the car has actually reached that time or mileage Maintenance 173 Appearance Care Regular cleaning and polishing of your Honda helps to keep it new looking This section gives you hints on how to clean and preserve your car s appearance the paint brightwork wheels and interior Also included are several things you can do to help prevent corro sion Exterior Care 176 WASIING ce ccccecsceesnescetcecseeseeses 176 WAXING rnein 177 Aluminum Wheels 00008 177 Paint TOUCh UP eee 178 Interior Care 179 Carpeting eceeceesceeeeeererenees 179 Fabie a 179 MIN loc eseees exaseteccnececcsceceecteteneanctene 179 Seat Belts ccceeceecseeees 179 WINCOWS c0cccccecceseceeseeeseeeeeeee 180 Air Fresheners 180 Corrosion Protection 180 Body Repairs 181 Appearance Care 175 Exterior Care Washing Frequent washing helps preserve your car s beauty Dirt and grit can scratch the paint while tree sap and bird droppings can perma nently ruin the finish Wash your car in a shady area not in direct sunlight If the car is parked in the sun move it into the shade and let the exterior cool down before you start NOTICE Chemical solvents and strong cleaners can damage the paint metal and plastic on your car Only use the solvents and cleaners recommended in this Owner s Manual 176 Appearance Car
172. st forward or rewind it automatically stops that function reverses direction and begins to play 82 PLAY BUTTON CFADEBAL OBAS TRE REW BUTTON Press the REPEAT button to replay the current passage The light in the button illuminates as a reminder When the system reaches the end of the song or passage that is being played it automatically goes into rewind When it senses the beginning of that passage it goes back to play REPEAT BUTTON FF BUTTON SKIP SWITCH The system will continue repeating this passage until you turn off REPEAT by pressing the button again Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System S The SKIP function lets you SKIP over a song or other passage Push the switch down to skip backward and up to skip forward When the system senses a silent period on the tape it goes back to PLAY The REPEAT and SKIP functions use silent periods on the tape to find the end of a selection These features may not work satisfacto rily on tapes that have almost no gap between songs a high noise level between songs or silent peri ods in the middle of songs REPEAT BUTTON Caring For Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems See page 94 for information on cassette care and protection WERE SKIP SWITCH Comfort and Convenience Features 83 Audio System Si SR AM FM Cassette Stereo Audio System The audio
173. stall the mounting screw and tighten it securely 166 Maintenance Replacing a Front Side Marker Light Bulb 1 Use a phillips head screwdriver to loosen the side marker assem bly s mounting screw 2 Remove the side marker assem bly from the bumper FRONT SIDE MARKER ASSEMBLY BULB HOLDER 3 Remove the bulb holder from the side marker assembly by turning it one quarter counterclockwise 4 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms Lights 5 Push the bulb holder into the side marker assembly and turn it clockwise until it locks 6 Test the side marker to make sure the new bulb is working 7 Put the side marker assembly into the bumper Make sure the tab on the side marker assembly fits into the bumper slot Tighten the mounting screw Replacing a Front Turn Signal Light Bulb BULB Ge er y BULB EA Use a phillips head screwdriver to loosen the turn signal assem bly s mounting screw 2 Remove the turn signal assembly from the bumper 3 Remove the bulb holder from the turn signal assembly by turning it counterclockwise 4 Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pushing it in and turning counterclockwise until it unlocks Install the new bulb CONTINUED Maintenance 167 Lights 5 Push the bulb holder into the turn signal assembly and turn it clockwise until it
174. t is adjusted forward or backward to a good driving or riding position and the back of your seat is upright see page 51 1 Pull the latch plate across your body and insert it into the buckle Tug on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked 2 Check that the belt is not twisted 3 Position the lap portion of the belt as low as possible across your hips not across your stomach This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash 4 Pull up on the shoulder part of the belt to remove any slack Make sure the belt goes over your collarbone and across your chest Do not place the belt under your arm or behind your back This could increase your chance of serious injuries in a crash CONTINUED Driver and Passenger Safety 7 The Seat Belt System and How It Works Advice for Pregnant Women To unlatch the seat belt push the red PRESS button on the buckle Guide the belt across your body to the door pillar If the belt doesn t retract easily pull it out and check for twists or kinks 8 Driver and Passenger Safety Protecting the mother is the best way to protect her unborn child Therefore a pregnant woman should wear a properly positioned seat belt whenever she drives or rides in a car When using the seat belt remem ber to keep the lap portion as low as possible see page 7 Each time you have a checkup ask your doctor if its okay for you to drive an
175. t system Modifica tions could make the system inef fective Do not tamper with the system components or wiring This could cause the airbag to inflate inadver tently possibly injuring someone very seriously Tell anyone who works on your car that you have a supplemental restraint system Failure to follow the procedures and precautions in the official Honda service manual could result in personal injury or damage to the system Scrapping an entire car that has an uninflated airbag can be dangerous Get assistance from a Honda dealer if your car must be scrapped If you sell your car please be sure to tell the new owner that the car has a supplemental restraint sys tem Alert them to the information and precautions in this part of the owner s manual Driver and Passenger Safety 15 Additional Safety Information The seat belts and airbag are obvi ously important parts of your occu pant protection system In addition you should know that sitting upright locking the doors and stowing things properly can increase your safety and possibly even save your life 16 Driver and Passenger Safety Seat back Position The seat backs should be in an upright position for you and your passengers to get the most protec tion from the seat belts If you recline a seat back you reduce the protective capability of your seat belt The farther a seat back is reclined the greater the risk that you will sl
176. te direction to the front wheels This helps in maneuvers such as parallel parking and U turns At higher speeds the rear wheels first steer in the same direction as the front wheels This aids with changing lanes As you turn the steering wheel more the rear wheels return to straight ahead and then steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels This gives improved handling when going around curves at highway speeds The rear wheels return to the straight ahead position when you turn off the engine They also return to straight ahead if you sit still for more than two minutes with the engine running They return to steering mode as soon as you move the steering wheel or start to drive away The 4WS system is self checking If it detects a problem anywhere in the system it turns on the 4WS indicator on the instrument panel see page 35 and points the rear wheels straight ahead Your car will then drive like a conventional car without 4WS Driving in Bad Weather Ae WYSYAA Rain fog and snow conditions re quire a different driving technique because of reduced traction and visibility Keep your car well maintained and exercise greater caution when you need to drive in bad weather The cruise control should not be used in these condi tions CONTINUED Driving 119 Driving in Bad Weather Driving Technique Always drive slower than you would in dry weather It takes your car longer to r
177. tenance Temperature The temperature grades are A the highest B and C representing the tire s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 109 Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law Warning The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded Excessive speed underinflation or excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat build up and possible tire failure Tires Winter Driving Tires that are marked M S or All Season on the sidewall have an all weather tread design They should be suitable for most winter driving conditions Tires without these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions They may not provide adequate performance in winter driving For the best performance in snowy or icy conditions you should install snow tires or tire chains They may be required by local laws under certain conditions Snow Tires I
178. tenance Schedule specifies how often you should have your car serviced and what things need attention It is essential that your car be serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of safety dependability and emission control performance The services and time or mileage intervals shown in the maintenance schedule assume you will use your car as normal transportation for passengers and their possessions You should e Avoid exceeding your car s load limit This puts excess strain on the engine brakes and many other parts of your car The load limit is shown on the label in the glove box e Operate your car on reasonable roads within the legal speed limit e Drive your car regularly over a distance of several miles 128 Maintenance e Always use unleaded gasoline with the proper octane see page 98 Your authorized Honda dealer knows your car best and can provide competent efficient service However service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect Mainte nance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in this type of automotive service Keep all the receipts as proof of completion and have the person who does the work fill out the maintenance record on page 131 Check your warranty booklet for more information We recommend the use of Genuine Honda parts and fluids or their equivalent whenever you have maintenance done These are the same high
179. the Cruise Control Master Switch 46 Instruments and Controls When you tap the brake or clutch pedal the CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel will go out and the car will begin to slow down You can use the acceler ator pedal in the normal way The system retains the previously set cruising speed To return to that speed accelerate to above 25 mph 40 km h and then press the RESUME accel button until the CRUISE CONTROL light comes on The car will accelerate to the same cruising speed as before Pressing the Cruise Control Master Switch turns the system completely off This erases the previous cruising speed from memory To use the system again you must set the system up as explained in Using the Cruise Control Steering Wheel Controls Keys and Locks Horn Press either of the buttons on the steering wheel spokes to sound the horn Keys VALET KEY MASTER KEY Your car comes with two kinds of keys a master key and a valet key The master key fits all locks on your Car Ignition Doors Trunk e Trunk release handle Rear seat trunk access Center console compartment The valet key only works the ignition and the door locks You can keep the trunk trunk release handle center console compart ment and rear seat trunk access locked when you leave your car and valet key at a parking facility Each key has a number stamped in one side You will need this
180. the Fluid Level 155 Operation eeececceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 42 WASNING eeeececeeeeceeeeteeeeeeeeeaeeaes 176 Waxing and Polishing 177 Wheels Adjusting the Steering 43 Alignment and Balance 161 Compact Spare 184 WYONGM i cc0s svi cereciarisiediilawins 185 Windows CICANIING 1eeeeeeeeeereteeeee teeters 180 Operating the Powev 57 Rear Defogger eee 56 Windshield CIC ANINGiisssessccisesiaiisiicietece eel 42 Defroster eeceeeeeeeseeeseeeerenees 74 Wipers Windshield Changing Blades ee 155 Operation aiana 42 Worn Tifossi 159 Wrecker Emergency Towing Gas Station Information Gasoline US S Canada S UNLEADED gasoline Pump octane of 86 or higher US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS Premium UNLEADED gasoline Pump octane of 91 or higher Gas Tank Capacity 601 15 9 US gal 13 2 Imp gal Recommended Engine Oil API SG grade Energy Conserving II oil SAE 5W 30 viscosity Engine Oil Capacity including filter US S Canada S 3 8 I 4 0 US qt 3 3 Imp qt US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 4 31 4 5 US qt 3 8 Imp qt without filter US S Canada S 3 51 3 7 US qt 3 1 Imp at US Si Si4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 4 01 4 2 US qt 3 5 Imp qt 232 Tire Pressure measured cold US S Canada S 205 kPa 2 1 kg cm 30 psi US Si Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 220 kPa 2 2 kg cm 32
181. to measure how far the front wheels are turned The electronic control unit for 4WS system uses these inputs to deter mine which direction to steer the rear wheels and at what angle Depending on vehicle speed and the angle of the front wheels the rear wheels willbe countersteered steered in the opposite direction of the front wheels or same steered steered in the same direction as the front wheels 210 Technical Information The 4WS electronic control unit drives an electric motor built into the rear steering box Sensors for rear wheel angle and speed provide feedback The electronic control unit uses this feedback to compare the actual rear wheel angle to the desired angle When the driver turns the front wheels with the car traveling less than 18 mph 80 km h the rear wheels are countersteered The angle of countersteer increases as the angle of the front wheels in creases to a maximum counter steer angle of six degrees This improves response when parallel parking or making sharp turns Above 18 mph 30 km h the rear wheels are same steered as the driver begins to turn the steering wheel The rear wheel angle for any given steering wheel angle is not fixed it increases as vehicle speed increases This improves response in lane changing maneu vers As the driver continues to turn the steering wheel the rear wheels are steered back to the straight ahead position and then to countersteer mo
182. trols on the dashboard to the left of the steering column are for the sunroof cruise control and instrument panel brightness The lever on the underside of the steering column allows you to tilt the steering wheel c INSTRUMENT PANEL WINDSHIELD WIPERS WASHERS BRIGHTNESS CRUISE CONTROL HEADLIGHTS TURN SIGNALS TILT ADJUSTMENT HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS Instruments and Controls 39 Controls Near the Steering Wheel Headlights The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights Turning this switch to the first position e turns on the parking lights tail lights instrument panel lights side marker lights and rear license plate lights Turning the switch to the second position turns on the headlights 40 Instruments and Controls If you leave the lights on with the ignition switch in ACCESSORY 1 or LOCK 0 you will hear a reminder chime when you open the driver s door To change between low beams and high beams pull back on the turn signal lever until you hear a click then let go The high beam indica tor will light see page 35 To flash the high beams pull back and hold the turn signal lever Release the lever and the high beams will go off The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever no matter what position the headlight switch isin Daytime Running Lights Canadian Models With the headlight switch off th
183. ty To do its job the airbag inflates with considerable force So while it can reduce serious injuries and even save your life the airbag might cause some facial or other abrasions After the bag completely inflates it immediately starts deflating so it won t interfere with your visibility ability to steer or ability to operate other controls Supplemental Restraint System The airbag is stored in the center of the steering wheel For your safety do not attach any items to the steering wheel They could interfere with the proper operation of the airbag Or if the airbag inflates they could be propelled inside the car and hurt someone How the Passenger s Airbag Works a a KEX P gt RN No i C If you ever have a severe frontal collision the passenger s airbag will inflate at the same time as the driver s airbag This airbag is quite large and inflates with considerable force It can seriously hurt an adult who is not in the proper position and wearing the seat belt properly The bag s force could also hurt a small child who is not properly restrained in a child seat Because of the airbag we strongly recommend that you do not put an infant seat in the front passenger s seat If the airbag inflates it can dislodge the infant seat and seriously injure the infant CONTINUED Driver and Passenger Safety 13 Supplemental Restraint System The passenger s airbag is stored
184. ufacturer Tire warranty infor mation is in a separate booklet Canada Cars Please refer to the 1992 Warranty and Maintenance Guide that came with your car Customer Relations Information Honda dealership personnel are trained professionals They should be able to answer all your questions If you encounter a problem that your dealership does not solve to your satisfaction please discuss it with the dealership s management The Service Manager or General Manager can help Almost all problems are solved in this way If you are dissatisfied with the decision made by the dealership s management contact your Honda Customer Relations Zone Office Refer to the U S and Canadian Zone Office maps on the following pages When you call or write please give us this information e Vehicle Identification Number see page 204 e Name and address of the dealer who services your car e Date of purchase e Mileage on your car e Your name address and tele phone number e A detailed description of the problem e Name of the dealer who sold the car to you Warranty and Customer Relations 217 U S Zone Office Map Western Zone P O Box 2260 700 Van Ness Avenue Torrance California 90509 2260 310 781 4565 Northwestern Zone P O Box 20186 12439 N E Airport Way Portland Oregon 97230 503 256 0943 VA also includes i ZONE 6 Alaska and Hawaii No South Central Zone 4529 Royal Lane Irving Tex
185. urn the heaters off Parking Brake PARKING BRAKE LEVER To apply the parking brake pull the lever up fully To release it pull up slightly push the button and lower the lever The parking brake light on the instrument panel should go out when the parking brake is fully released see page 33 If you try to drive the car without releasing the parking brake the ABS cannot work properly NOTICE Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles Instruments and Controls 61 Glove Box GLOVE BOX Open the glove box by turning the knob clockwise To close push the lid up and turn the knob counter clockwise to lock 62 Instruments and Controls An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passen ger in a crash even if the pas senger is wearing the seat belt Always keep the glove box closed while driving Digital Clock The digital clock displays the time with the ignition switch ON Il To set the clock 1 Turn the ignition switch ON II to display the time 2 To set the hour turn the knob toward H counterclockwise and hold it until the hour advances to the desired time 3 To set the minutes turn the knob toward M clockwise and hold it until the numbers advance to the desired time You can use the same knob to quickly set the time to the nearest hour If the displayed time is before
186. y from the wiper arm by pushing in the lock tab Hold it in while you push the blade assembly toward the base of the arm CONTINUED Maintenance 155 Windshield Wipers 3 Remove the blade from its holder by grasping the tabbed end of the blade Pull firmly until the tabs come out of the holder 156 Maintenance REINFORCEMENT 4 Examine the new wiper blades If they have no plastic or metal rein forcement along the back edge remove the metal reinforcement strips 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 blade assembly onto the wiper arm Make sure it locks in place 7 Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield Air Conditioner Optional for S model Your car s air conditioner is a sealed system Any major mainte nance such as recharging should be done by a qualified technician There are a couple of things you can do to make sure the air condi tioner works efficiently AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER 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 Usea light spray from a hose or a soft brush to remove them NOTICE The condenser and radiator fins bend easily Only use alow pressure spray or soft b
187. y between the MIN and MAX marks If there was no coolant in the reserve tank you may also have to add coolant to the radiator Let the engine cool down until the temperature gauge registers below the midpoint or lower before checking the radiator 194 Taking Care of the Unexpected Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray out seriously scalding you Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiator cap Using gloves or a large heavy cloth turn the radiator cap counterclockwise without pushing down to the first stop This releases any remaining pressure in the cooling system After the pressure releases push down on the cap and turn it until it comes off i 10 Start the engine and set the heater control lever to maximum Add coolant to the radiator up to the base of the filler neck If you do not have the proper coolant mixture available you can add plain water Remember to have the cooling system drained and refilled with the proper mixture as soon as you can Putthe radiator cap back on tightly Run the engine and watch the temperature gauge If it illuminates the red marker again the engine needs repair See Towing on page 202 12 If the temperature stays normal check the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank If it has gone down add coolant to the MAX mark Put the cap back on tightly Low Oil Pressure
188. ystem When worn properly seat belts can reduce the chance of serious injury or death in a crash For added protection during a severe frontal collision all Preludes sold in the U S and the SR and SR AWS models in Canada have a Supplemental Restraint System SRS with a driver s airbag The Si AWS model sold in the U S also has a passenger s airbag 4 Driver and Passenger Safety Two indicator lights are also part of your safety system One reminds you to make sure you and your passengers wear your seat belts The other alerts you to a possible problem with your supplemental restraint system see page 14 The seats head restraints and door locks also play a role in occupant safety For example reclining the seat back can decrease the effec tiveness of your seat belt Head restraints can help protect your neck and head especially during rear end impacts Door locks help keep your doors from being acciden tally opened during a crash To get the maximum protection from your occupant protection system check the following before you drive away e Everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt properly see page 6 e Both doors are closed and locked see page 16 e Seat backs are upright see page 16 e There are no loose items that could be thrown around and hurt someone during a crash or sudden stop see page 17 By following these guidelines you can reduce injuries to yourself and your passengers i

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