1990 HONDA PRELUDE steering

CAUTION:
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all car/
trailer connections. After driving a short distance, stop and
recheck the lights and connections.
Reversing is difficult and requires practice. While backing-up,
the trailer may pivot off-course. To correct for this, grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left, or to the right to move the trailer to
the right. Turn the steering wheel a little at a time, and keep the
speed very low. Have someon e guide you when backing.

To help
prevent overheating of the brakes, shift into a lower
gear to make use of engine braking before descending steep or
long grades. Do not make sudden downshifts. Pay strict attention to the coolant temperature gauge when
going up hills. Because of the added load of the trailer, your car's
engine may overheat on hot days. Turning off the air conditioner
will reduce the load on the cooling system.
On cars equipped with automatic transmission. —Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pedal; this can cause the transmission fluid tooverheat. Instead, use the handbrake or footbrake.
—When towing trailers, avoid high transmission fluid temperatures (caused by the transmission frequently shiftingbetween 3rd and 4th gears) by driving in S3.

NOTE:

Be sure to check state and local laws concerning maximum speed or

other driving restrictions for cars towing trailers. If you are driving
across several states, check each state's requirements before

leaving home, because restrictions may vary.

Parking with a Trailer

Whenever parking your car on an incline with a trailer attached, first
place and seat chocks at each wheel of the car and trailer. This is in

addition to the normal parking preparations of firmly applying the parking brake and placing the transmission in first or reverse
(manual transmission) or P (automatic transmission).

CAUTION:
Parking on an incline is not recommended and should be done only
if it cannot be avoided. Follow all precautions mentioned above
and turn the wheels to point towards a curb if facing downhill,
away from a curb if facing uphill. When leaving an inclined parking place, move the car slightly to unseat the chocks. Then while
keeping the foot brakes firmly applied, have an assistant remove
the chocks.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

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.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

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

Power Steering
The power steering on your car provides easy handling while parking and maneuvering in traffic, without loss of road "feel" at
highway speeds. An engine-driven hydraulic pump provides full
power assist at low speeds and decreasing assist as the car goes

faster.

CAUTION:

If the power steering system should fail, or if the engine should
stall, the car can still be steered. However, much greater effort will be required, particularly in sharp turns at low speed.

NOTE:

You may feel a slight clunk or knock when turning the wheel with
the engine off. This is a normal condition due to the design of the system.
Power Steering Fluid
Check the power steering fluid level with the engine cold and the
car parked on level ground. Make sure the fluid level is between theupper and lower marks on the reservoir. If the level has dropped
close to or below the lower mark, check for leaks before adding
fluid to the upper mark. Do not overfill.

CAUTION:

Use only genuine Honda power steering fluid. The use of other
fluids such as A.T.F. or other manufacturer's power steering fluid will damage the system. POWER STEERING

FLUID RESERVOIR

UPPER

LOWERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

NOTE:

Brake pads should be inspected for wear whenever the tires are

rotated.

Tire Traction
Worn tires or slippery road surfaces can reduce driving, cornering and braking traction. To reduce the possibility of losing traction,
slow down when the road gets slippery, replace tires when wearindicators are visible, and KEEP TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED.
Tire Replacement
The original tires on your carhave tread wear indicators toindicate when they should bereplaced. The indicators appear
as bands about 12.7 mm (1/2 in)
wide when the tire tread depth is less than 1.6 mm (1/16 in).
When indicators appear across

two or more grooves in a row,

you shoul d
replace the tire.

Driving on worn-out or under-inflated tires is very hazardous, and
will reduce braking effectiveness, steering accuracy and traction.

When replacing tires, use only the recommended tire size. Wheel rim widths and offsets must be those recommended by American
Honda Motor Co., Inc. Contact the Zone Office nearest you as
shown on the inside of the back cover.

Tires and wheels other than those recommended may be unsafe. Do not mix radial and bias ply tires on the same car. INDICATOR
LOCATION MARKS TREAD WEAR
INDICATORSProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

If towing is necessary, contact a professional towing service. Your
authorized Honda dealer can assist you with detailed towing
instructions.
Never use tow chains or rope to tow a car; your ability to safety
control the car may be adversely affected.
We recommend the following:
Flat Bed Equipment — Entire car is winched on a flat bed vehicle.
This is the best way of transporting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Type — Tow with the front wheels off the ground.

If the
car can only be towed with the front wheels on the ground:

make sure the transmission is full of fluid (see page 86 — 87)

and tow with the transmission in neutral (N) and the ignition key in
the I position.

CAUTION:

To avoid serious damage on automatic transmission cars, first start the engine and shift to D, then to N and shut the engine off. If
the engine does not run or the transmission cannot be shifted
while the engine is running, the car must be transported on flatbed equipment.
Check local regulations for towing.

CAUTION:
Do not exceed 35 mph (55 km/h) or tow for distances of more
than 50 miles (80 km). If a Sling Type tow is used, the tow truck driver should position
wood spacer blocks between your car's frame and the chains
and lift straps to avoid damaging the bumper and the body. Do not use the bumpers to lift the car or to support the car's
weight while towing.
When towing a car with 4WS even with the front wheels off the ground, turn the wheels straight ahead and tie the steering wheel in place. TowingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
(cont'd)
Air Conditioner

Operation.....................................
43

Service.......................................108

Air Filte
r ...........................................95
Air Pressure, Tires........................105
Aluminum Alloy Wheels...............111
Antifreeze ..................See
"Radiator coolant"
Anti Lock Brakes(ALB) ..................18 ALB Warning Light .....................
24

ALB Fluid
.....................................
99
Anti-theft Steering

Column Lock

System.........................................58

Appearance Care .........................
110

Ashtrays..........................................38
Audio System
.................................
47
Automatic Transmission

Driving Technique ......................68

Fluid.............................................87
Operation....................................67

Shift Lever

Position
Indicator .................................
21 Battery
Charging System Warning

Light.......................................23

Jump Starting ...........................119 Maintenance .............................100

Specification ........................... 126

Beeper System Fasten Seat Belt Beeper ............13
Key Reminder .............................58

Light Reminder Chime ................30

Belts,Seat...............See "Seat Belts"
Brake Lamp Warning Light.............25
Brakes Brake Failure Warning Light .......................................23
Brake Fluid...................................99
Brake System Design .................98
Brake Wear .................................98
Brake Wear Indicators................98

Parking Brake ..............................39

Parking Brake Warning Light .......................................23
Break-in Period ..................................2

Bulb

Replacement.............................103
Specification .............................126
Buzzer ............See "Beeper System"
Capacities......................................125

Care and Cleaning.........................110

Catalytic Converter .....................134
Certification Label ........................127

Chains,Tires ................................. 106

Child Restraint System ..................14
Cigarette Lighter .............................38

Clock................................................37

COMPACT Spare Tire .................114Coolant Temperature Gauge .........20
Cooling(with A/C) ...........................44 Cooling System ...............................88
Crankcase Emission ControlSystem ..........................................
130
Cruise Control
Opeartion...................................
35Indicator .....................................22
Defogger.........................................28
Defroster .........................................45

Dimmer Switch, Headlights...........31
Doors
Locks............................................3

Warning Light ............................25
Emergency
Changing Flat Tire ...................116

Hazard Warning System ..........33If the Retractable Headlights do not operate ...................123

If the Sunroof Won't
Close .....................................54
If Your Car Gets Stuck ...........122
Jump Starting .........................119Towing.....................................121Warning and
Indicator

Lights....................................21
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