Honda 1994 Prelude Online Reference Owner'S Manual Download Page 181

Page: 181 / 233

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.....................

186

Changing a Flat Tire...................

187

If Your Engine Won't Start........

192

Nothing Happens......................

192

The Starter Operates

Normally................................

193

Jump Starting................................

193

If Your Engine Overheats..........

195

Low Oil Pressure..........................

197

Charging System Indication ......

198

Malfunction Indicator Lamp/

Check Engine Light.................

199

Closing the Sunroof.....................

200

Fuses...............................................

201

Checking and Replacing.........

202

Towing...........................................

206

Taking Care of the Unexpected

Main Menu

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Summary of Contents for 1994 Prelude

Page 1: ...n your new vehicle and how to load luggage and other cargo Driving 107 The proper way to start the engine shift the transmission and park plus towing a trailer Maintenance 127 The Maintenance Schedule...

Page 2: ...r 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 warranties protect your Honda We suggest you read the warranty boo...

Page 3: ...y alert symbol 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...

Page 4: ...How the Driver s Airbag Works 12 How the Passenger s Airbag Works 13 How the SRS Indicator Light Works 14 System Service 14 System Service Precautions 15 Additional Safety Information 16 Seat back Pos...

Page 5: ...afety 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...

Page 6: ...ger 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 8...

Page 7: ...r across your chest and across your hips Each lap shoulder belt has an emergency locking retractor In normal driving the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it keeps some tension on the...

Page 8: ...nd 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 n...

Page 9: ...men 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 b...

Page 10: ...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...

Page 11: ...also includes a front passenger s airbag The main components in your SRS are One airbag in the steering wheel for the driver and another in the dashboard for the passenger Driver and Passenger Safety...

Page 12: ...an airbag you need to wear a seat belt The reasons are Airbags only inflate in severe frontal collisions They offer no protection in rear impacts side impacts rollovers or moderate frontal collisions...

Page 13: ...reduce serious injuries and even save your life the airbag might cause some facial abrasions or other injuries For this reason you should always sit as far back from the steering wheel as comfort able...

Page 14: ...It can seriously hurt a front seat passenger who is not in the proper position and wearing the seat belt properly Front seat passengers should move the seat as far back as practical and sit well back...

Page 15: ...omes 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...

Page 16: ...r 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 Scrapp...

Page 17: ...on 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 slide under the belt in...

Page 18: ...driving An unrestrained pet can interfere with your ability to drive the car In a crash or sudden stop loose pets or cages can be thrown around inside the car and hurt you or your passengers It is als...

Page 19: ...infant seat in the front passenger seat If the airbag inflates it can hit the seat with great force The infant seat can be dislodged and the baby seriously injured If a toddler seat is used in the fro...

Page 20: ...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...

Page 21: ...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 put a toddler se...

Page 22: ...e 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 style you select follow the booster seat manufac...

Page 23: ...h 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 ch...

Page 24: ...ance CA 90501 2746 Canadian Cars 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 supplie...

Page 25: ...re 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...

Page 26: ...ng enough to move the car out of the garage With the trunk lid open air flow can pull exhaust gas into your car s interior and create a hazardous condition If you must drive with the trunk lid open op...

Page 27: ...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 H...

Page 28: ...of potential hazards that could cause serious injury Read these labels carefully and don t remove them If a label comes off or becomes hard to read contact your Honda dealer for a replacement Driver a...

Page 29: ...Instrument Panel Brightness 43 Turn Signals 43 Windshield Wipers 44 Windshield Washers 44 Steering Wheel Adjustment 45 Steering Wheel Controls 46 Cruise Control 46 Horn 49 Keys and Locks 49 Keys 49 Ig...

Page 30: ...100 DOOR LOCK SWITCH P 51 POWER WINDOW SWITCH P 59 DIGITAL CLOCK P 64 TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE P 52 HOOD RELEASE HANDLE P 101 MIRROR CONTROLS P 62 HEATING COOLING CONTROL P 72 AUDIO SYSTEM P 79 Instrument...

Page 31: ...nt 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...

Page 32: ...CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR SEAT BELT REMI...

Page 33: ...cator lights when the oil pressure in the engine drops low enough to cause damage It should light when the ignition is ON II and go out after the engine starts If this light comes on when the engine i...

Page 34: ...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 syste...

Page 35: ...e 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...

Page 36: ...ight comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly Door open Indicator This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly Daytime Running Lights Indicator Canadian models only This indicator l...

Page 37: ...dicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON II If it flashes while driving in any shift position it indicates a possible problem in the transmission Avoid rapid acceleratio...

Page 38: ...aller inner numbers are the speed in miles per hour mph Tachometer The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute rpm To protect the engine from damage never drive with the tachometer...

Page 39: ...ange Reset knob as explained in the next column Trip Meter This meter shows the number of miles U S or kilometers Canada driven since you last reset it S model To reset it push the trip meter reset bu...

Page 40: ...inated indicator bars to show the engine coolant s temperature range Under normal driving conditions you will see the bars illuminate to the display s midpoint In more severe driving conditions such a...

Page 41: ...windshield wipers The controls 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...

Page 42: ...lever until you hear a click then let go The blue high beam indicator 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...

Page 43: ...up as far as it will go to return the fuel and temperature gauges to their daytime brightness Signal a turn or lane change with this lever Push down on the lever to signal a left turn and up to signal...

Page 44: ...wipers run continuously 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 you a quick way to clear the windshield Wind...

Page 45: ...he way down 3 Move the steering wheel up or down to the desired position Position the wheel so you can see all the instrument panel gauges and warning lights Push the lever up to lock the steering whe...

Page 46: ...ions 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 Contr...

Page 47: ...cruising speed release the button Push on the accelerator pedal Ac celerate to the desired cruising speed and press the SET decel button You can decrease the set cruising speed in either of two ways P...

Page 48: ...panel will go out and the car will begin to slow down You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way If you use the brake or clutch pedal to cancel cruise control the system retains the previousl...

Page 49: ...y only works the ignition and the door locks You can keep the trunk trunk release handle and rear seat trunk access locked when you leave your car and valet key at a parking facility See Trunk page 52...

Page 50: ...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 t...

Page 51: ...er 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 on U S...

Page 52: ...ition the master door lock switches are disabled If you try to lock the driver s door by pushing in the lock tab the tabs on both doors immediately pop out Trunk You can open the trunk in two ways Pul...

Page 53: ...ther person the valet key Seat Adjustments Adjust the seat before you start driving To adjust the seat forward and backward pull up on the lever under the seat cushion s front edge Move the seat to th...

Page 54: ...t 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 Instruments and Contr...

Page 55: ...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 adj...

Page 56: ...range You will then have to readjust the angle to your preference Seat Heaters Available only on SR 4WS and SR V models in Canada Both front seats are equipped with seat heaters The ignition must be O...

Page 57: ...side the trunk pull the release loop under the rear shelf To lock the seat back upright push it firmly against the rear shelf Make sure it is latched in place by pulling on the top of the seat Make su...

Page 58: ...l 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...

Page 59: ...elease 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 a...

Page 60: ...n minutes after you turn off the igni tion Opening either front door can cels the delay function You must turn the ignition ON II again before you can raise or lower the windows Sunroof Use the switch...

Page 61: ...you can damage the sunroof panel or motor Mirrors 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 h...

Page 62: ...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 accidentall...

Page 63: ...Brake 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 parki...

Page 64: ...tch ON II To set the clock 1 Turn the ignition switch ON II to display the time 2 Turn the knob toward H counterclockwise and hold it until the hour advances to the desired time Instruments and Contro...

Page 65: ...the knob sets the clock forward to the beginning of the next hour For example 1 06 would RESET backward to 1 00 1 52 would RESET forward to 2 00 Vanity Mirror To use the vanity mirror pull down eithe...

Page 66: ...r console Open the ashtray by swinging the upper edge of the lid down To remove the ashtray for emptying open it then lift up and out Use the ashtray only for cigarettes cigars and other smoking mater...

Page 67: ...er while driving the liquid may spill when you go over bumps or around corners Be careful when you are using the beverage holder Spilled liquids can damage the upholstery carpeting and electrical comp...

Page 68: ...tch In the OFF position the light does not come on In the center position the ceiling light comes on when you open either door In the ON position the ceiling light stays on continuously On 4WS and VTE...

Page 69: ...uously Turn on the spotlight by pushing the button next to each light Push the button again to turn it off You can use the spotlights at all times Ignition Switch Light Available on Si 4WS and VTEC mo...

Page 70: ...e S model Heating and Cooling 72 What Each Control Does 74 How to Use the System 75 Controlling Air Flow Direction 75 Ventilation 75 To Cool with A C 76 To Heat 77 To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Cond...

Page 71: ...s high quality standards and is designed to fit your car Please contact your dealer for more information The direction of air flow from the vents in the center of the dash board and the corner vents...

Page 72: ...Heating and Cooling Comfort and Convenience Features SIDE DEFROSTER VENT Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 73: ...cator in the switch lights when the A C is ON Recirculation Button This button controls the source of air going into the system When the indicator in this button is lit the system is recirculating the...

Page 74: ...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 conditioning system does not depend on engine temperature It can produce c...

Page 75: ...or reaches a com fortable temperature close the windows and set the system for cooling as described above The air conditioning places an extra load on the engine Watch the engine coolant temperature g...

Page 76: ...mbination with the heater it makes the interior warm and dry 1 Switch the fan on 2 Turn on the air conditioning 3 Select the Fresh Air mode and press any desired mode button 4 Adjust the temperature c...

Page 77: ...ct the Fresh Air mode to avoid fogging the windows These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base of the windshield and the side windows The air flow will get warmer and cle...

Page 78: ...set buttons allow you to select six stations on AM and twelve stations on FM CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features S ON OFF VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TUNE SEEK FF REW TMS SWITCH AM FM BUTTON PRESET...

Page 79: ...battery To get the system working again you must enter a code number Dolby noise reduction manufac tured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo ration DOLBY and the double D symbol are...

Page 80: ...when you turn the igni tion switch to LOCK 0 Adjust the volume by turning the ON OFF VOL knob Select the band you want to listen to by pressing the AM or FM1 FM2 button You will see the selected band...

Page 81: ...ease the 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 fr...

Page 82: ...ach Preset button 2 Use the TUNE or SEEK func tion to tune the radio to a desired station 3 Pick the Preset button you want for that station Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep 4 Repeat...

Page 83: ...er to select those stations A 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...

Page 84: ...adio 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 i...

Page 85: ...ned 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...

Page 86: ...ide 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 reac...

Page 87: ...sette from the drive press the EJECT button The system automatically ejects the cassette whenever you turn off the system or the ignition switch S Except S Comfort and Convenience Features FF REW TMS...

Page 88: ...assage until you turn off REPEAT by pressing the button again 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...

Page 89: ...ack of the first disc in the magazine When that disc ends the next disc in the magazine is loaded and played After disc 6 has completed the system will return to disc 1 To make your own disc selection...

Page 90: ...nd Convenience Features Except S ON OFF VOL KNOB A SELECT INDICATOR A SELECT REPEAT BUTTON CD BUTTON TUNE SEEK SWITCH REPEAT BUTTON RPT INDICATOR CD BUTTON TUNE SEEK SWITCH RPT INDICATOR ON OFF VOL KN...

Page 91: ...t and play tracks randomly on each of the six discs until you press the A SELECT REPEAT button again To turn on random play mode while the system is in the REPEAT mode turn off REPEAT mode first by pr...

Page 92: ...tions If you see an error indication on the display find the cause in the chart to the right If you cannot clear the error indication take the car to your Honda dealer Comfort and Convenience Features...

Page 93: ...ssettes 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 direc...

Page 94: ...ust obtain the code number from your Honda dealer To do this you will need the system s serial number If your car s battery is discon nected or goes dead the audio system will disable itself If this h...

Page 95: ...his 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 98 Gasoline 98 Oxygenated Fuels 98 Driving in Foreign Countri...

Page 96: ...his 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 persi...

Page 97: ...ubber and plastic parts of your fuel system If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms try another service station or switch to another brand of gasoline Fuel system damage or perfor mance probl...

Page 98: ...he door as shown 4 Stop filling the tank after the fuel 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 fuel fi...

Page 99: ...e 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 3 Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the ho...

Page 100: ...l the car with fuel Wait at least two minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil 1 Remove the dipstick orange handle 2 Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel 3 Insert i...

Page 101: ...t Engine Coolant Check Look at the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank Make sure it is between the MAX and MIN lines If it is below the MIN line see Adding Engine Coolant on page 140 for inform...

Page 102: ...tion abrupt cornering and hard braking use more fuel Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and accelerate smoothly Depending on traffic conditions try to maintain a constant s...

Page 103: ...ility 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 El...

Page 104: ...tal 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...

Page 105: ...Starting the Engine 109 5 speed Manual Transmission 109 Automatic Transmission 109 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude 110 5 speed Manual Transmission 111 Recommended Shift Points 111 Maximum S...

Page 106: ...securely 4 Check the adjustment of the seat see page 53 5 Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors see page 61 6 Check the adjustment of the steering wheel see page 45 7 Make sure the d...

Page 107: ...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 befor...

Page 108: ...arting 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 prob...

Page 109: ...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...

Page 110: ...gine 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 wh...

Page 111: ...Shift Lever Positions 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 T...

Page 112: ...Lock Release on page 116 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 bef...

Page 113: ...p 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 a lower gear the transmission downshifts only if the...

Page 114: ...h 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 5 Remove the key fro...

Page 115: ...y 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 Indi...

Page 116: ...ipment 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 Yo...

Page 117: ...sistently 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 sti...

Page 118: ...rn 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...

Page 119: ...r 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 th...

Page 120: ...ot 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 shoul...

Page 121: ...ghed Load the car and trailer as you normally would while tow ing and take them to a public scale Have them check the total weight and the weight at each axle then compare them to the specifications T...

Page 122: ...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...

Page 123: ...r turbulence Towing a trailer 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 magn...

Page 124: ...tic 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...

Page 125: ...ic Checks 133 Fluid Locations 134 Engine Oil 135 Checking Engine Oil 135 Adding 135 Recommended Oil 136 Additives 138 Oil and Filter Changes 138 Cooling System 140 Checking the Engine Coolant Level 14...

Page 126: ...ficient 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 autom...

Page 127: ...rs sold in California this service is recommended only other areas it is required 2 Replace every 6 years or 96 000 km 60 000 miles whichever comes first 3 Thereafter replace every 2 years or 48 000 k...

Page 128: ...eeds such as a delivery vehicle E Towing a trailer Service for Severe Driving Conditions Clean the air cleaner element every 24 000 km 15 000 miles or 12 months and replace every 48 000 km 30 000 mile...

Page 129: ...Required Maintenance Record Have your servicing dealer record all Required Maintenance below Keep receipts for all work done on your car Maintenance Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 130: ...Non Scheduled Maintenance Record Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non scheduled maintenance on this page see page 130 Maintenance Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 131: ...check the reservoir each time you stop for fuel See page 144 Automatic transmission Check the fluid level monthly See page 145 Brakes clutch and power steering Check the fluid level monthly See page...

Page 132: ...p AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK Yellow loop COOLANT RESERVOIR WASHER FLUID Blue cap ENGINE OIL FILL CAP POWER STEERING FLUID Red cap BRAKE FLUID Gray cap 5 M T only CLUTCH FLUID Gray cap ANTI...

Page 133: ...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 To add oil u...

Page 134: ...l is formulated to help your engine use less fuel The API Service label also tells you the service classification of the oil Always use an oil that says API Service SG or SH This service rating may al...

Page 135: ...0 F 7 C US VTEC Canada SR V An oil with a viscosity of 10W 30 is preferred for improved fuel econo my and year round protection in your Honda You may use a 5W 30 oil if the climate in your area is wit...

Page 136: ...type hydraulic lift for this service Unless you have the knowledge and proper equipment you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic 1 Run the engine until it reaches normal operating...

Page 137: ...drain bolt Tighten it to 40 N m 4 0 kg m 29 Ib ft 6 Refill the engine with the recom mended oil Engine oil change capacity including filter US S Canada S 3 8 4 0 US qt 3 3 Imp qt US Si 4WS Canada SR S...

Page 138: ...00 km 3 750 miles See page 130 for a description of severe driving conditions Cooling System Checking the Engine Coolant Level Check the level of the engine coolant by looking at the radiator reserve...

Page 139: ...g down and turning counterclockwise 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 res...

Page 140: ...ecommended 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 1 Slide the h...

Page 141: ...an equal amount of purified or distilled water in a clean container The cooling system capacity is With manual transmission US S Canada S 3 5 0 92 US gal 0 77 Imp gal US Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 3 8 1...

Page 142: ...rms up the radiator cooling fan comes on at least twice 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...

Page 143: ...events freezing in cold weather 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 da...

Page 144: ...refilled with new fluid every 24 months or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first Shorten this to every 12 months or 24 000 km 15 000 miles under severe driving conditions see page 130 5 speed M...

Page 145: ...oirs monthly There are up to three reservoirs depending on model They are Brake fluid reservoir all models Clutch fluid reservoir Manual transmission only ABS reservoir Except S model The brake fluid...

Page 146: ...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 ca...

Page 147: ...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 L...

Page 148: ...uch as a gas station ask your Honda dealer to do this service Follow the replacement procedure for removal and reinstallation The air cleaner element is inside the box on the passenger s side of the e...

Page 149: ...y contaminants Spark Plugs Except US VTEC Canada SR V The original spark plugs in your car need to be replaced every 2 years or 48 000 km 30 000 miles whichever comes first US VTEC Canada SR V The ori...

Page 150: ...s the cylinder head Tightening torque 18 N m 1 8 kg m 13 Ib ft Tighten the spark plugs carefully A spark plug that is too loose can overheat and damage the engine Overtightening can cause damage to th...

Page 151: ...PZFR6F 11 Nippondenso PKJ20CR L11 Hot climates or continuous high speed driving NGK PFR7G 11 Nippondenso PK22PR L11 Spark Plug Gap 1 1 mm 0 04 in Battery Check the condition of your car s battery mont...

Page 152: ...n immediately Check the battery condition by looking at the test indicator window on the battery Blue Good condition Red Add distilled water White Charging necessary Maintenance The battery contains s...

Page 153: ...ool or wire brush Reconnect and tighten the cables then coat the terminals with grease When reconnecting the positive terminal on manual transmission models make sure to place the cable securely in th...

Page 154: ...g 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 windshield 2 Disconnect the blade assembly from the wiper a...

Page 155: ...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 u...

Page 156: ...bristle brush to clean them Run the air conditioning 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 norm...

Page 157: ...se ness have your dealer adjust or replace the belts Tires To safely operate your car your tires must be the proper type and size in good condition with adequate tread and correctly inflated The follo...

Page 158: ...s 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 1 6 km 1 mile If y...

Page 159: ...hese condi tions Cuts splits or cracks in the side of the tire Replace the tire if you can see fabric or tread Excessive tread wear Your car s tires have wear indica tors molded into the tread When th...

Page 160: ...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 Replacing Tires and Wheels...

Page 161: ...ressure as shown on the tire s sidewall should be 300 kPa 3 0 kg cm 2 44 psi See Tire Information on page 215 for additional information about tire and wheel size designations See page 216 for informa...

Page 162: ...d 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 b...

Page 163: ...ght 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...

Page 164: ...Check the seating of the bulb s tabs if the ring will not return to its original position 7 Reinstall the harness connector on the bulb connector Make sure it locks in place Turn on the headlights to...

Page 165: ...the light assembly straight back 8 Install the mounting screw and tighten it securely Replacing a Front Side Marker Light Bulb 1 Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the side marker assem bly s m...

Page 166: ...unting screw Replacing a Front Turn Signal Light Bulb 1 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...

Page 167: ...mper slot Tighten the mounting screw Replacing a High mount Brake Light Bulb US S Si Canada S SR 1 Remove the cover by pulling it down and sliding it forward 2 Determine which bulb is burned out 3 Pul...

Page 168: ...em 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...

Page 169: ...mbly backwards 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 te...

Page 170: ...king 5 Reinstall the cover and the lens Put the license light assembly in place Reinstall the two screws and tighten them securely Replacing a Ceiling Light Bulb 1 Remove the lens by carefully prying...

Page 171: ...U S and SR 4 WS and SR V models in Canada Replacing a Spotlight Bulb On 4WS and VTEC models in the U S and SR 4 WS and SR V models in Canada The spotlight bulbs are in the ceiling light housing 1 Rem...

Page 172: ...into the holder until it bottoms 5 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working 6 Reinstall the bulb holder and ceiling light assembly in the reverse order of removal Snap the ceiling light le...

Page 173: ...red for a 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 with...

Page 174: ...htwork wheels and interior Also included are several things you can do to help prevent corro sion Exterior Care 178 Washing 178 Power Antenna Cleaning 178 Waxing 179 Aluminum Wheels 179 Paint Touch up...

Page 175: ...ntly 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 res...

Page 176: ...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 C...

Page 177: ...he touch up paint on small chips and scratches More extensive damage should be repaired by a professional Examine the chip or scratch closely before repairing it If it does not go down to bare metal c...

Page 178: ...eaner 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...

Page 179: ...pe side to side 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 par...

Page 180: ...pay close 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...

Page 181: ...le to get going again If not you will also find instructions on getting your car towed Compact Spare Tire 186 Changing a Flat Tire 187 If Your Engine Won t Start 192 Nothing Happens 192 The Starter Op...

Page 182: ...me road sur faces than the regular tire Use greater caution while driving on this tire Do not mount snow chains on the compact spare The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit y...

Page 183: ...n the ignition to LOCK 0 2 Put the transmission in Park automatic or Reverse manual Set the parking brake 3 Open the trunk Raise the trunk floor by lifting up on the back edge 4 Take the tool kit out...

Page 184: ...cover by turning the handle clockwise then pulling on the cover 7 Turn the jack s end bracket counterclockwise to loosen it then remove the jack 8 Loosen the four wheel nuts 1 2 turn with the wheel wr...

Page 185: ...Make sure the jacking point tab is resting on the jack notch 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 tir...

Page 186: ...th 13 Put on the spare tire Put the wheel nuts back on finger tight then tighten them in a crisscross pattern with the wheel wrench until the wheel is firmly against the hub Do not try to tighten them...

Page 187: ...k 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 t...

Page 188: ...starter will not operate With an automatic transmission it must be in Park or Neutral Turn the ignition switch to ON II Turn on the headlights and check their brightness If the headlights are very di...

Page 189: ...here are several precau tions you should take Follow the directions closely You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmission by pushing or pulling it To jump start your car 1 Open the hood and...

Page 190: ...e 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 6 Start your car If the starter motor still operates slowly chec...

Page 191: ...al or park and set the parking brake Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories Turn on the hazard warning indicators 2 If you see steam and or spray coming from under the hood...

Page 192: ...n the cooling system After the pressure releases push down on the cap and turn it until it comes off 10 Start the engine and set the temperature control lever to maximum Add coolant to the radiator up...

Page 193: ...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 maneuve...

Page 194: ...t 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 eliminatin...

Page 195: ...or light If it stays on have your car checked by the dealer as soon as possible Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem Avoid full throttle acceleration and driving at high speed Y...

Page 196: ...f the new fuse blows immediately or the sunroof motor still does not operate you can close the sunroof manually 3 Get the tool kit out of the trunk 4 Pry off the round plug in the center of the headli...

Page 197: ...ocated in two fuse boxes The underhood fuse box is located in the engine compartment next to the battery To open push the tab as shown The interior fuse box is underneath the dashboard on the driver s...

Page 198: ...heck 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 3 Check each of the large fuses in...

Page 199: ...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 Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatl...

Page 200: ...Fuses INTERIOR FUSE BOX On Canadian cars Taking Care of the Unexpected Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 201: ...Fuses UNDERHOOD FUSE BOX Taking Care of the Unexpected Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 202: ...ion and body can be seriously damaged if this method of towing is attempted If your Honda cannot be trans ported by flat bed it should be towed with the front wheels off the ground If due to damage yo...

Page 203: ...Steering 214 Tire Information 215 Tire Size Designation 215 Wheel Size Designation 215 Tire Speed Ratings 215 Tire Pressure Adjustment For High Speed Driving 216 DOT Tire Quality Grading 216 Treadwear...

Page 204: ...ur 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 Certificati...

Page 205: ...ine Number is stamped into the engine block The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER ENGINE NUMBER Technical Information AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBE...

Page 206: ...ing the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine Reserve tank capacity 0 6 0 16 US gal 0 13 Imp gal 2 US S Canada S 3 US Si 4WS Canada SR SR 4WS 4 US VTEC Canada SR V 5 Excluding t...

Page 207: ...Specifications 1 Except high mount brake light installed in rear spoiler 2 US 4WS VTEC Canada SR 4WS SR V 1 S 2 Except S Technical Information page 205 page 204 Main Menu Table of Contents...

Page 208: ...g 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 s...

Page 209: ...the burning propellant inflates the airbag instantly The airbags are vented so they stays inflated for only an instant and do not block the driver s vision Smoke from the burned propellant comes out...

Page 210: ...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 Abov...

Page 211: ...Rating Symbol See the speed rating chart in this section for additional information Wheel Size Designation Wheels are also marked with important information that you need if you ever have to replace...

Page 212: ...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...

Page 213: ...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 tempe...

Page 214: ...tion summarizes how the emission con trols work Scheduled maintenance is on page 129 In Canada Honda vehicles comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards CMVSS for Emissions valid at the t...

Page 215: ...unt of HC CO and NOx produced Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR System The Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system takes some of the exhaust gas and routes it back into the intake manifold Adding ex haust ga...

Page 216: ...e It can set on fire any com bustible materials that come near it Park your car away from high grass dry leaves or other flamma bles A defective three way catalytic converter contributes to air pollut...

Page 217: ...ranty and Customer Relations Warranty Coverages 222 Customer Relations Information 223 U S Zone Office Map 224 Canada Zone Office Map 225 Authorized Manuals 227 Warranty and Customer Relations Main Me...

Page 218: ...th 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 warr...

Page 219: ...ou 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 y...

Page 220: ...ind River Ln Suite 200 Gaithersburg Maryland 20878 301 990 2020 Southeastern Zone 1500 Morrison Parkway Alpharetta Georgia 30201 770 442 2045 North Central Zone 601 Campus Drive Suite A 9 Arlington He...

Page 221: ...Central Zone Honda Canada Inc 715 Milner Avenue Scarborough Ontario M1B 2KB 416 299 3400 Quebec Zone Honda Canada Inc 1750 rue Eiffel Bouchcrville Quebec J4B 7W1 514 655 6161 Atlantic Zone Honda Cana...

Page 222: ...form For manuals prior to the year shown below contact Helm Incorporated P O Box 07280 Detroit MI 48207 or call 1 800 782 4356 Valid only for sales within the U S Canadian owners should contact their...

Page 223: ...nance 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 Electric...

Page 224: ...res 160 Alcohol and Drugs 24 Alcohol in Gasoline 98 Antenna Cleaning 178 Antifreeze 140 Anti lock Brakes ABS Description 212 Indicator Light 34 119 Operation 118 Anti theft Steering Column Lock 50 App...

Page 225: ...a Flat Tire 187 Changing Engine Coolant 142 Charging System Indicator 33 198 Check Engine Light 34 199 Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid 145 Battery Condition 153 Brake Fluid 147 Clutch Fluid 149...

Page 226: ...ownshifting 5 speed Manual Transmission 111 Driving 107 Economy 104 In Bad Weather 120 In Foreign Countries 99 Economy Fuel 104 Emergencies on the Road 185 Battery Jump Starting 193 Changing a Flat Ti...

Page 227: ...ing by Emergency Wrecker 206 Fuel 98 Fill Door and Cap 100 Filter 152 Gauge 38 Octane Requirement 98 Oxygenated 98 Tank Filling the 100 Fuses Checking the 201 Gas Mileage Improving 104 Gasohol 98 Gaso...

Page 228: ...bel Certification 208 Lane Change Signaling 43 Lap Shoulder Belts 6 Leaking of Exhaust into Car 25 Lighter Cigarette 65 Lights Bulb Replacement 165 Indicator 31 Parking 42 Turn Signal 43 Loading Cargo...

Page 229: ...ng Lights 42 Parking Over Things that Burn 220 PGM FI System 219 Polishing and Waxing 179 Power Door Locks 51 Mirrors 62 Steering 149 Windows 59 Pregnancy Using Seat Belts 8 Proper Seat Belt Usage 6 R...

Page 230: ...de Marker Lights Bulb Replacement in 167 Signaling Turns 43 Snow Tires 165 Solvent type Cleaners 178 Sound System 79 Spare Tire Inflating 186 Specifications 211 Spark Plugs Replacing 151 Specification...

Page 231: ...Checking Fluid Level Automatic 145 Checking Fluid Level Manual 146 Fluid Selection 146 Identification Number 208 Shifting the Automatic 113 Shifting the Manual 111 Treadwear 216 Trip Meter 39 Trunk 5...

Page 232: ...eering 45 Alignment and Balance 162 Compact Spare 186 Wrench 188 Windows Cleaning 182 Operating the Power 59 Rear Defogger 58 Windshield Cleaning 44 Defroster 78 Wipers Windshield Changing Blades 156...

Page 233: ...erving II oil or ILSAC oil SAE 5W 30 viscosity US VTEC Canada SR V API SG grade Energy Conserving II oil SAE 10W 30 viscosity Engine Oil Capacity including filter US S Canada S 3 8 l 4 0 US qt 3 3 Imp...

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Honda 1994 Prelude, Online Reference Owner'S Manual

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