1990 Prelude Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Features & Safety ........................................................................\
........................................................ 2
What you should know before driving your car.
Starting & Driving........................................................................\
.....................................................
55
What gas to use, how to change gears, etc.
Maintenance
........................................................................\
............................................................... 76
The Required Maintenance Schedule and some items you can service.
Emergency Service
........................................................................\
................................................ 116
Changing a flat, jump starting, towing.
Specifications
........................................................................\
......................................................... 125
Dimensions, weights and capacities.
Consumer Information
........................................................................\
.......................................... 127
Reporting Safety Detects, warranty service, vehicle identification numbe\
rs, etc.
Index ........................................................................\
....................... .................................................
137
Gas Station Information
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
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Warning and indicator Lights (cont'd)
Anti Lock Brake Warning Light (Si with ALB)
The ALB (Anti Lock Brake) warning light will come on, and remain
on, if there is a malfunction in the ALB system or when the ignition switch is turned on with the engine not running, if the light comes
on while driving, stop the car at a safe place and shut off the engine, if the light does not go out or lights again while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE:
The light does not indicate a failure of the normal brake system.
The light only indicates a malfunction in the ALB system. In such acase, the ALB system is automatically shut down but normal
braking capability continues.
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.
ANTI
LOCKProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Jump Starting
To start a car with a dead battery, use another battery of the same voltage, and the proper jumper cables. Procedures other than those below could cause injury or
damage from battery acid spray, explosion or charging system
overload.
Never connect the jumper cable directly to the negative post of
the "dead" battery.
Never allow the two cars to touch each other.
Never allow the jumper cable clamps to touch each other.
Never lean over the battery when making connections.
Never attempt to jump start a vehicle with a frozen battery. The
battery could rupture and explode. If you suspect a frozen
battery, remove the vent caps and check the fluid. If there
seems to be no fluid, or if you see ice, do not attempt a jump
start until the fluid thaws.
CAUTION:
If jumper cables are connected backwards, the car's main fuse
may blow.
1.Turn off all lights, heater and other electrical loads, set parking
brake, and
shift transmission to Neutral or Park.
2. Use one cable to connect the positive terminal of the booster battery to the positive terminal of the "dead" battery.
(cont'd)
Do not attach cable here
DEAD BATTERY
Positive to positive
Negative to the engine, not to the battery
BOOSTER BATTERYProCarManuals.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
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)
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