1990 HONDA PRELUDE radiator

Speedometer

The speed is indicated in miles per hour (outside scale) and
kilometers per hour (inside).

Odometer

The numbers on the odometer indicate miles.
The odometer registers total distance traveled, and serves as your
guide for determining when periodic maintenance is due. Federal law makes it illegal to alter the odometer of any motor vehicle with the
intent to change the number of miles indicated.

Trip Meter
The numbers on the trip meter indicate miles.
The trip meter can be returned to zero by pushing in the resetbutton. Use it for checking fuel consumption or distance traveled per trip.

Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute.The beginning of the RED ZONE indicates the maximum allowable
engine R.P.M. Do not run the engine with the tachometer indicator
needle in the RED ZONE.

Fuel Gauge
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 60 l (15.9 US gal, 13.2 Imp gal)
As a convenience, the gauge continues to show the same fuel level as when the ignition was last on. After refueling, the gauge will
slowly change to the new fuel level when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle first indicates E (empty), you have a usable reserve left in the tank of about:
4 l
(1.1
US gal, 0,9 Imp gal)
Coolant Temperature GaugeCAUTION:
The needle should stay within the white range. If the needle reaches the red line at "H" (Hot), pull safely off the road, stop the
engine and check the coolant level in the reserve tank on the passenger side of the radiator under the hood.
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The
coolant is under pressure and may blow out and scald you.

GaugesProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Charging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light comes on when there is a problem with the electrical charging system or when the ignition
switch is turned on with the engine not running. If the light comes
on while driving, stop the car and check to see if the alternator belt is loose or broken.
To check the belt tension, stop the engine and push with about 98N (22 Ib) of force on the middle of the belt as shown. The belt should
deflect about:
10
—
12 mm (0.4
—
0.5 in) If the engine has been running,
some engine components may
be hot enough to burn you. Keep hands away from the
radiator fan. The fan may start
automatically without warning
and run for up to 15 minutes,
even after the engine is turned
off.

NOTE:

If necessary, have the charging system checked by an authorized

Honda dealer.

Check Engine Warning Light
This light comes on for a couple of seconds each time the ignition is
turned on. It will also come on, and remain on, if there is a
malfunction in the emission control system. If the light comes on
while driving, avoid driving at high speed, and have the system checked by a Honda dealer as soon as possible.
Parking Brake/Brake Failure Warning Light
Check the brake warning light every time you start the car.
With the parking brake set, the warning light should go on when the
ignition switch is turned to II or III, With the parking brake released,
the light should go on when the ignition switch is turned to III. If the light goes on at any other time, it means the brake fluid level in the
master cylinder reservoir is too low ; add fluid and have your dealer
check for leaks and brake pad wear immediately. See page 99. BRAKE

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Windshield Wipers/Washer/Defogger (cont'd)

CAUTION:
Do not use radiator antifreeze in the windshield washer; it will
damage the paint. Do not use a vinegar/water combination in the windshield
washer; it will damage the pump.
Prolonged operation of the washer without fluid may damage
the pump.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield with the defrosters
before using the washer. This will help prevent icing which could
seriously impair visibility.
Rear Window Defogger Push the switch to turn the
defogger on or off. The indicator will light when the defogger is on.

The defogger will turn off
automatically 24 minutes after itis turned on.

CAUTION:

When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be careful not to damage the printed heater wires on the rear window. Wipe thewindow horizontally along the wires, not up and down. Use a good quality commercial washer fluid for all-weather cleaning.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Check the following items at each fuel stop:

1. Engine oil level.

2. Radiator coolant level.
Check the following items periodically: 1. Brakes: for braking efficiency, brake pedal travel and hydraulic fluid level.
2. Lights: for operation of headlights, taillights, side marker lights, stoplights, turn signals and back-up lights.
3. Tires: for correct pressures (including spare); inspect for cuts and uneven or excessive wear. Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
in the pattern shown on page 107.
4. Steering: for excessive play or vibration while driving. 5. Exhaust system: for leaks or loose mounts.
6. Wipers: for operation of windshield wipers and washer, and condition of wiper blades.
7. Seat belts: for condition of fabric and buckles, and operation of the restraint mechanism.

8. Battery condition.

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Fluid Locations
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONFLUID DIPSTICK
POWER STEERING
FLUID RESERVOIR
ANTI LOCK BRAKE
FLUID RESERVOIR (Si with ALB) ENGINE OIL
FILLER CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
RESERVOIR (Manual Transmission Only)
RADIATOR

RESERVE

TANK CAP
RADIATOR
CAP ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR BRAKE FLUID
RESERVOIRProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Transmission Oil/Fluid Check
Transmission oil/fluid must be checked with the engine off and the
car on level ground.
If the engine has been running, some engine components may
be hot enough to burn you. Keep hands away from the radiator fan. The fan may start
automatically without warning and run for up to 15 minutes,
even after the engine is turned off.

CAUTION:

If the oil/fluid level is low, check for possible leaks before adding
oil. Do not overfill.
Since the transmission and differential are in the same housing, you
are actually checking both oil/fluid levels in one procedure. Change
transmission oil/fluid according to the Maintenance Schedule on
page 78 .

5-Speed

Remove the oil filler bolt (beside the right axle). Feel inside the boh
hole with your finger. If the oil is up to the bottom edge of the hole,
the oil level is correct. If it is not, slowly add oil until it runs out of
the hole, then reinstall the bolt and tighten it securely with a wrench.
CORRECT
LEVEL

5-SPEED TRANSMISSION

OIL CHANGE CAPACITY: 2.1 l (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Use only SE or SF grade motor oil when adding or changing
transmission oil. OIL CHECK
FILLER BOLTProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Cooling System

Your Honda engine contains a number of aluminum parts. Therefore, it requires an antifreeze/coolant specifically formulated to protect
the aluminum parts from corrosion. Failure to use a suitable antifreeze/coolant may seriously shorten the life of the engine as
the result of rapid corrosion damage. Some antifreeze/coolants, although labelled for use in engines containing aluminum, may not provide adequate protection for your engine.
Therefore, use only a Honda RECOMMENDED antifreeze/coolant.
CHECK WITH YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER.

For best corrosion protection, the mixture of coolant and water
must be maintained year-round at 50/50. Concentrations less than50% coolant may not provide sufficient protection against
corrosion and freezing. Concentrations of greater than 60% coolant
will impair cooling efficiency and are not recommended. Low- mineral drinking water or distilled water should be mixed with the
antifreeze/coolant. Coolant loss should be replenished by a mixture
containing the proper concentration of antifreeze and water. Do not mix different antifreeze/coolants.
Do not use additional rust inhibitors or anti-rust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator coolant.

ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER COOLANT USAGE IS

NOT COVERED BY THE NEW CAR WARRANTY.

Checking Coolant
Check the coolant level in the reserve tank when the engine is at
normal operating temperature (with the engine off and the car on
the level ground), using the dipstick in the reserve tank. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off. Insert the dipstick and remove it. The
coolant level should be between the MAX and MIN marks. Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot; the
coolant is under pressure and could severely scald you. Keep hands away from the radiator fan. The fan may start
automatically without warning and run for up to 15 minutes,
even after the engine is turned off.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

If the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick
add a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water to bring it up to MAX. If there is no coolant visible on the dipstick, the cooling system
should be checked for leaks and repaired if necessary. Coolantmust then be added to the radiator.

CAUTION:

Radiator coolant will damage paint. Quickly rinse any spilled

coolant from painted surfaces.

Wait until the engine is cool, then turn the radiator cap counterclock-wise until it stops. DO NOT PRESS DOWN WHILE TURNING THECAP. After any remaining pressure has been relieved, remove the
cap by pressing down and again turning it counterclockwise. Add
enough coolant to fill the radiator, and reinstall the cap. Be sure to
tighten it securely. Fill the reserve tank up to the MAX mark with
the engine cold.

Maintenance
1. Check the freeze protection level of the coolant with a hydrometer.
2. Keep the front of the radiator free of dirt and debris.

3. Check hoses and hose clamps regularly.

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MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANKProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s