1990 HONDA PRELUDE oil

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

Use the proper

viscosity oil for

the climate in
which you drive:
Ambient Temperature
Automatic
The automatic transmission fluid level is checked (with the engine off and the car on level ground) using the dipstick in the right end of
the transmission housing. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off.
Insert the dipstick and remove it. The fluid level should be between
the upper and lower marks.
If necessary, add fluid and recheck. Use only DEXRON ®
II
Automatic Transmission Fluid (A.T.F.) when adding or changing fluid. After checking the fluid level, push the dipstick in securely.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHANGE CAPACITY:
2.8 l (3.0 US qt, 2.5 Imp qt) DIP STICK

UPPER

LOWERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

The condition of the battery can be determined by checking the
test indicator. Service as required according to the label on the
battery.

Any corrosion around the positive and negative terminals should be washed off with a solution of baking soda and warm water. Dry the
terminals and then coat them with grease.
The battery gives off explosive gases; keep sparks, flames andcigarettes away. Provide adequate ventilation when charging orusing the battery in an enclosed space.
The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Contact with skin or eyes may cause severe burns. Wear protective clothing
and a face shield.
— If electrolyte gets on your skin, flush with water.
— If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush with water for at least
15 minutes and call a physician immediately.
Electrolyte is poisonous.
— If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk and follow with milk of magnesia or vegetable oil and call a physician.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Battery

TEST INDICATOR

TERMINAL
TERMINAL
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Appearance Care
Interior Trim
Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Wipe the vinyl with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Stains can be removed with a commercially available vinyl cleaner.

CAUTION:

Do not use thinner, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha or other solvents
on the interior. They are toxic, flammable and hazardous and could damage the material you're cleaning.
Windows A 10 to 1 mix of water and white vinegar, or a commercially

available glass cleaner may be used to clean windows and to remove

the dust film sometimes caused by the ingredients used in interior vinyls and plastics.
NOTE:
Do not put this solution in the windshield washer reservoir, it will
damage the windshield washer pump.
Be careful not to scratch or damage the defogger wires when
cleaning the inside of the rear window; wipe the window horizontally along the wires, not up and down. Dry the windows
with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Keep all the windows clean formaximum visibility.

Exterior Care

Waxing Wax the car when water will no longer "bead" on the paint. Always wash and dry the car before you wax it.
Use a good quality liquid or paste wax, and follow the manufacturer's
instructions. Wax all the metal trim to keep its luster.
NOTE:
Removing oil, tar, etc., with a spot remover will usually strip the
wax from the surrounding finish. Be sure to re-wax these areas even if the rest of the car does not yet need waxing.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Washing

NOTE:

Retract the headlights before washing the car. However, make sure

the headlight lenses are cleaned periodically.

Rinse all loose dirt off the car by spraying it with lukewarm or cold

water. Do not use hot water.
Wash using a soft bristle brush, sponge, or cloth with water
containing a mild detergent, such as a liquid dishwashing detergent.
Remove oil, tar, tree sap, etc., with tar remover or turpentine.
Remove road salt, insects, etc., with mild detergent and lukewarm
water. Any of these substances may damage the finish if left on
painted surfaces.

Rinse the car well. Promptly wipe with a chamois or soft towel toprevent water-spotting. Do not let water or soap air-dry on painted

surfaces.
During wiping, inspect the surface for stone chips and scratches;paint them with touch-up paint so they won't rust (touch-up paint

is available through your Honda dealer).
For further instructions on corrosion protection, refer to the Rust

Prevention section on page 112.

Aluminum Alloy Wheels (Si with 4WS or ALB)
CAUTION:
Wash the wheels after driving on snowy or icy roads where salt

has been applied.

Avoid off-road driving. Brush, rocks, dirt and severe impact may
damage the wheels.
Install tire chains carefully. Improperly installed chains can cause

damage to the wheels.
Honda aluminum alloy wheels are treated with a protective
finish. Wash them with a low-phosphate detergent and sponge.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or stiff brushes. Always install aluminum wheels in sets of four. If mixed with
other types, the car's handing may be affected.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Specifications

* 1 Including the coolant in the reserve tank (0.75 l /0.79US qt/0.66 Imp qt) but excluding that remaining in the engine.

* 2 Excluding the oil remaining in the engine,but including that remaining in the oil filter.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Index (cont'd)

Emission Controls.........................130

Engine
Coolant.......................................88
Coolant Temperature
Gauge....................................20
Identification Number .............127
Oil and Filter...............................83
Oil Pressure
Warning

Light .......................................22

Specification ...........................125

Exhaust Controls....................131
Engine Exhaust Ga
s Warning

....................................................64

Evaporative Emission Control
System ....................................131
Exhaust Gas Recirculation...........132
Exterior Care.................................110
Filters

Air...........................................94
Engine Oil ...................................84

Fuel.............................................96

Fluid .....................................See "Oil"

Foreign Countries, Operation in ...............................56
Four Wheel Steering.......................59 Front Seat
Adjustment..................................5

Fuel

Filter Door and Cap...................56
Fuel Reserve
Warning

Light .......................................22

Gauge.........................................20

Gasohol......................................55

Gasoline ......................................55

Requirement..............................55

Filter...........................................96
Fuse

Checking and Replacing .........101

Specification...........................126 Gasoline............................See"Fuel"
Gas Station Information
...........................................back cover

Gauges............................................20
Glove Box ........................................39
Hazard Warning

Indicator Light ...........................21
Hazard Warning System................33

Headlights

Flasher.......................................31
Headlight Motor
Switch ...........32

High Beam Indicator..................21
High Beam/Low

Beam

Switch...................................31
If the

Retractable Headlights
do not operate ...................123

Reminder Chime

.......................30

Retractable Headlight Motor Warning Light .......................25

Switch.......................................30
Headlight High
Beam Indicator

Light ...........................................21

Head Restraints.................................8

Heating.............................................45

High Bea
m

Switch .......................................31
Indicator Light ...........................21

Hood Latch.....................................39
Identification Numbers.................127
Ignition
Keys.............................................3

Switch........................................58

Indicator Lights ...............................20
Inflation Pressures, Tire..............105
Instrument Panel....................19
Instrument Panel
Brightness

Control.......................................33

Interior light .....................................33
Interior Trim Care .........................110 Jack .............................................116
Jump Starting ...............................119ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Keys
Door Locks ..................................3
Glove box ..................................39
Trunk Lid Lock ............................4
Ignition ........................................58

Key Reminder Beeper...............58Keys.............................................3
Lap/Shoulder Belts
................................Se
e "Seat Belts"

Light

Bulb Replacement...................103
Fuse Replacement ..................101
Light Reminder
Chime ..............30

Operation.................................30

Warning and Indicator Light
......................................................21
Locks

Fuel Filler Door ..........................56
Doors..........................................3

Glove Bo
x ..................................39

Trunk Lid......................................4

Anti-theft Steering

Column

Lock.......................................58

Lumbar Support,Driver's .................7
Maintenace Schedule
and

Records......................................76

Manual Transmission Maximum Allowable Speeds
....................................................66

Oil........................................86
Recommended Shift
Speeds

....................................................66

Shifting.....................................65

Meters Gauges.......See
"Gauges"
Mirrors Power Mirrors ...........................29
Rear View Mirrors ....................29 Numbers, Identification................ 127

Octane Rating,
Gasoline

.......................................... See "Fuel"
Odometer ........................................20Oil

Engine Oil ...................................83

Fluid Locations ..........................82Transmission Oil/Fluid ..............86Oil Pressure Warning Light.......22
Power Steering Fluid ................97
Operation In
Foreign Countries

..........................................................56

Panel Brightness Control ...............33
Parking Brake.................................
39

Power

Mirrors .......................................29
Steering .....................................
97

Windows................................40

PGM-FI System............................131
Pressures, Tire Inflation...............105
Preventive Service.......................

112
(cont'd)
Radiator Coolant .............................88

Radio ................................................47

Rear View Mirrors ..........................29
Rear Window Defogger ..................28
Reminder Lights
..........................See "Warning lights"ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s