1990 HONDA PRELUDE octane

Gasoline
For proper operation of your car's emission controls, your engine is
designed to use unleaded fuel only.

CAUTION:

Using leaded or even low-lead gasoline could damage some of your
emission controls, and also void their coverage under the emission
controls warranty.
Use gasoline from pumps labeled unleaded, with a pump octane
number of 86 or higher. The pump octane number is an average of
the Research (R) octane and Motor (M) octane numbers. Use of a
lower octane gasoline can cause persistent, heavy "SPARK
KNOCK" (a metallic rapping noise), which can lead to engine damage

if severe.
CAUTION:
If you notice steady spark knock while holding a steady speed on a
level road, try changing brands of gasoline. If the spark knock persists, consult your Honda dealer. Failure to do so is considered
misuse, and misuse is not covered under the New Car Warranty.
Occasionally you may notice light spark knock while accelerating or
driving up hills. This is no cause for concern, it simply means your engine is running at its most economical.
Gasoline Containing Alcohol
If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol ("gasohol"), be
sure its octane rating is at least as high as that recommended for
unleaded gasoline. There are two types of "gasohol": that
containing ethanol, and that containing methanol. Do not use
gasohol that contains more than 10% ethanol. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. Never use
gasoline containing more than 5% methanol, even if it hascosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Gasoline (cont'd)
NOTE:
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems resulting
from the use of such fuels is not covered under the new car warranties. Honda cannot endorse the use of fuels containingmethanol since evidence of their suitability is as yet incomplete. Before purchasing fuel from an unfamiliar station, try to confirm
whether the fuel contains alcohol; of what kind, and how much. If
you notice any undesirable operating symptoms after using a
gasoline that contains alcohol, or one that you think contains
alcohol, switch to an unleaded gasoline, as recommended on page 55.
Operation In Foreign Countries In order to comply with U.S. Federal Emissions Regulations, you
must use unleaded fuels of the recommended octane rating. These
fuels may not be available in other countries. If you intend taking your car outside the U.S. or Canada, write to American Honda
Consumer Affairs (stating the year and model of your car) at the
address below for information regarding modifications you mayneed to have done.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Consumer Affairs

100 W. AIondra Blvd.,
Gardena, CA 90248
Fuel Filler Door and Cap
Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain
conditions. Perform this operation in a well-ventilated area with
the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow open flames or sparks in the area or where gasoline is stored.
The fuel filler door is opened by pulling up on the lever at the leftside of the driver's seat.
The door will lock automatically when closed; push it until it clicks.

CAUTION:

You may hear a hiss when you open the filler cap. This sound is residual pressure escaping from the fuel tank. Open the cap slowly
and remove the cap after the hissing stops. Do not overfill the tank;
fill only until the gas pump clicks off automatically and never top off.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Your Honda automobile must be properly maintained to ensure that
it is in peak operating condition and the emission levels are within
the standards set by the Federal Clean Air Act, The following instructions and maintenance procedures are based
on the assumption that your car will be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was designed:
1. To carry passengers and cargo within the load limits shown on the label on the edge of the driver's door.
2. To be driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal limits.

3. To generally be driven daily over a distance of several miles.

4. Use gasoline from pumps labeled unleaded, with a pump octane number of 68 or higher. The pump octane number is an average of
the Research (R) octane and Motor (M) octane numbers.

NOTE:

Failures which occur due to a lack of maintenance will not be
covered under warranty.
The Required Maintenance Schedule * specifies all maintenance required to keep your car in peak operating condition. Work should
be done by an authorized Honda dealer but may be done by any qualified service facility or individual who is competent in this type

of work.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emission control devicesand systems may be done by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are "certified" to EPA standards.
After the maintenance has been done, be sure to complete the Maintenance Records on pages 79 — 81 . All required maintenance is
considered normal owner operating cost and you will be charged for it by your dealer.
* For vehicles sold in California, maintenance operations indicated
by * 3 on page 78 are recommended by the manufacturer.
Other maintenance operations are required by California
regulations and condition the emission warranty.
Maintenance Schedule and RecordsProCarManuals.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

Gas Station Information
Gasoline: UNLEADED onlyPump octane of 86 or higher.
Gas Tank-Capacity: 60 l (15.9 US gal, 13.2 Imp gal)
Tire Pressure (measured cold): Front/ Rear 195 kPa (28 psi) 180 kPa (26 psi)
Si (with 4WS) 195 kPa (28 psi) 195 kPa (28 psi)
Compact Spare Tire 415 kPa (60 psi)
Other Tire Information: Label on driver's door edge.
Hood Release: Pull handle under left side of dash.
Engine Oil: An "Energy Conserving II" SG grade oil is recommended. See page 83 for viscosity
recommendations.
Capacity (including filter):
3.8 l ( 4.0 US qt, 3.3 Imp qt)
Manual Transmission Oil: Recommended type—SAE 10W—30 or10W—40 weight, grade SE or SF.
Capacity (including differential):
2.1 l (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Use DEXRON® II type Automatic Transmission Fluid
(ATF). Unscrew dipstick in right end of transmission,
wipe off, reinsert, remove and read fluid level-do not screw-in to check fluid level.
Capacity (Including differential):
2.8 l (3.0 US qt, 2.5 Imp qt)
Power Steering Fluid: Use only Honda power steering fluid: do not use ATF
or any other brand of power steering fluid because it
will damage the system.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, California 90501
1990 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. — All Rights Reserved
31SF1621
00X31-SF1-6211CRESTEC5009806 L PRINTED IN U.S.A.
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