1990 HONDA PRELUDE tow

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

Changing a Flat Tire (cont'd)
7. Set the jack handle extension in the connector on the end of the jack and install the lug wrench/jack handle. Turn the lug wrench/jack handle clockwise until the tire is slightly off the ground.
8. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover and wheel.
(Wheel cover is not equipped
with 4WS or ALB models)
9. Install the spare tire; and install the lug nuts hand tight.
10. Lower the car, remove the jack,
then tighten the lug nuts

securely in an "X" pattern as
shown.11. Tighten the lug nuts securely.
The recommended torque is:
110 N .
m(11 kg-m,80 Ib-ft)
If a torque wrench was not

used, ask an authorized Honda

dealer to verify the torque as
soon as possible.
12. Repai
r or replace the damaged tire as soon as you can, then
reinstall it in its original position on the car, and put the spare back
in the car.

CAUTION:

Always stow the jack, tools and tire securely to prevent them
from becoming dangerous projectiles in an accident.
NOTE:
Secure the tire and the spacer as shown in the illustration.
COMPACT SPARE

DAMAGED TIRESPACER
SPACER TIGHTENING TORQUE
110 N.m (11 kg-m, 80 Ib-ft)
VALVE

NUT
WHEEL COVER
LUG WRENCH/JACK HANDLE JACK HANDLE EXTENSIONProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Jump Starting (cont'd)
3. Use the other cable to connect the negative terminal of the booster battery to the engine at the ground cable as shown.
4.To remove the cables, reverse the above procedures exactly.
DO NOT push or tow a car to start it. The forward surge when the
engine starts could cause a collision. Also, under some conditions,
the catalytic converter could be damaged. A car equipped with an
automatic transmission cannot be started by pushing or towing.
NOTE:
After jump-starting the car, there is a possibility that the ALB
warning light may come on due to insufficient battery voltage. After
the battery is sufficiently recharged and the engine is turned off and restarted, the ALB warning light should indicate that the ALB
system is OK, by coming on for a few seconds each time the engine is started. If the light remains on after recharging, have it checked

by a Honda dealer.ProCarManuals.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

If Your Car Gets Stuck
If your car gets stuck in sand, mud, or snow, call a professional
towing service for assistance in getting your car out,

CAUTION:
Do not rev up the engine and allow the wheels to spin freely at
high speed. Severe transmission damage may result if the wheels are allowed to spin for more than a few seconds. DO NOT try to free a car with automatic transmission from
snow etc. by rocking the car alternately between forward and
reverse gears. Severe transmission damage may result from
shifting into gear with the wheels moving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system to help
clean-up the exhaust gases that can cause air pollution.
To be effective, the converter must work at high temperature, so don't park your car over dry grass, leaves or anything else that

could burn easily.

To stay effective, the converter must not be contaminated by
leaded gasoline; use only unleaded gas as explained on page 55.

CAUTION:

The converter can be overheated and damaged if it's fed too much unburned fuel mixture from the engine, so:
— Don't push or tow the car to start it; if the battery is dead. jump start the car as shown on page 119.
— Don't turn the key off while the engine is running above idle
speed.

— Don't change the ignition timing, or remove any emission control parts.
— Use only the spark plugs specified in this manual.
— Don't keep driving your car if it isn't running properly, or if its Check Engine warning light comes on; have It checked byyour Honda dealer. CATALYTIC CONVERTERProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

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)

Replacement

Air Filter .....................................94
Bulbs........................................ 103

Engine Oil ...................................84

Fuel Filter ...................................96
Fuses .......................................101Oil Filter
......................................84

Radiator Coolant .......................90
Spark Plugs...............................92

Tires.........................................107
Wiper Blades .............................93Retractable Headlights I
f the Retractable Headlights
do not operate ...................123
Rust Prevention.........................111
Safety Items ...................................63
Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Beeper ..................................... .21

Seat Belts
Anchor Points ...........................16
Buckling the FrontSeat Belts .............................10
Buckling the Rear Seat Belts............................12
Child Restraint......................14

Cleaning .....................................17

Warning Light and Warning Beeper ...................13
Inspection ..................................17
Lap/Shoulder Belts ...................10
Pregnant Women ......................16
Reminder Light ..........................20
Replacement .............................17
Seats
Driver's Lumbar Support ...........7
Driver's Side Support..............7
Front Seat ....................................5

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

Shift Lever Position Indicator........20
Shifting

Automatic..................................67
5-Speed......................................65

Spare Tire

Changing a Flat Tire................116

COMPACT Spare Tire ...........114
Specifications .........................125
Spark Plugs...................................92
Specifications...............................125Speedometer ..................................
20

Starting the Engine .........................61

Steering Anti-theft Column Lock ...........
58Four Wheel Steering............59
Power Steerin g
.........................97
Tilt Steering ........................26
Stereo Sound System
Operation...................................47

Stuck Car ..............................122
Sunroof

If the Sunroof Won't

Close .....................................54

Maintenance...........................54
Operation ........................ 53

Sunshade.......................................
53

Tachometer.............................20

Temperature Gauge
,
Coolant

....................................................20

Thermostat...................................90
Tilt Steering.....................................26
Tire
Air Pressure ............................105

Balancing ................................106

Chains...................................106
Changing a Fla
t Tire................118

COMPACT Spare .................114
DOT Tir
e
Quality Grades........128
Inflation Pressures ..................105

Requirement ..................................128

Rotation ...................................
106

Snow Tires ........................ 105

Spare Tire................................114

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

To Get In/Out of Rear Seat..............6
Tools ..............................................
116

Towing...........................................121
Towing a Traile
r ..............................
71
Transmission

Identification
Number............127

Oil/Fluid......................................86

Shifting the Automatic.............67

Shifting the Manual...................65

Capacity ...................................125ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s