1990 HONDA PRELUDE parking brake

Charging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light comes on when there is a problem with the electrical charging system or when the ignition
switch is turned on with the engine not running. If the light comes
on while driving, stop the car and check to see if the alternator belt is loose or broken.
To check the belt tension, stop the engine and push with about 98N (22 Ib) of force on the middle of the belt as shown. The belt should
deflect about:
10
—
12 mm (0.4
—
0.5 in) 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.

NOTE:

If necessary, have the charging system checked by an authorized

Honda dealer.

Check Engine Warning Light
This light comes on for a couple of seconds each time the ignition is
turned on. It will also come on, and remain on, if there is a
malfunction in the emission control system. If the light comes on
while driving, avoid driving at high speed, and have the system checked by a Honda dealer as soon as possible.
Parking Brake/Brake Failure Warning Light
Check the brake warning light every time you start the car.
With the parking brake set, the warning light should go on when the
ignition switch is turned to II or III, With the parking brake released,
the light should go on when the ignition switch is turned to III. If the light goes on at any other time, it means the brake fluid level in the
master cylinder reservoir is too low ; add fluid and have your dealer
check for leaks and brake pad wear immediately. See page 99. BRAKE

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Glove Box,Parking Brake and Hood
Glove Box
Open by pulling the handle.Close

with a firm push .The glove box
can be locked by using the master key; turn the key clockwise to
LOCK.

The glove box light will go on when the glove box door is

opened and the headlights are on.

Do not drive the car with the glove
box door open; it could cause injury
in an accident.
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull up on the lever. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever; when fully released, the BRAKE warning light will go out.

Hood

To open, pull back on the handle under the left side of the dash.
The hood latch is spring-loaded, so the hood will pop up slightly. Release the safety catch under the front center of the hood by

pushing the handle up.

Lift the hood and prop it open with the support rod.
To close, take the support rod down, and return it to its clip , then lower the hood until it is approximately one foot from the closedposition, then let it drop. Be sure the hood is securely latched before
driving away. MASTER KEY

Pull up

CLIP
SUPPORT ROD
Pull to release LockProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Open

Close

Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Always stop the engine before refueling, and never refuel near
sparks or open flames.

CAUTION:

When reinstalling the fuel cap, be sure both tabs on the cap are engaged in the slots of the filler neck and turn the cap until it stops.
If you replace the cap, use only a genuine Honda replacement part
or Its equivalent. Failure to use the proper part could cause serious
fuel system problems.
How to Improve Your Gas Mileage:
Drive at a smooth, steady pace to avoid unnecessary
decelerations and stops — accelerating back to speed uses more
fuel.
Plan trips to avoid rush hour traffic if possible.Make sure the parking brake is completely released.
Consolidate trips whenever possible.
Keep vehicle weight to a minimum by removing unnecessary
items from the luggage area.
Whenever possible, use fresh air from the dash vents to keep
cool when driving; open windows, or use of the air conditioningboth affect fuel economy.
Keep the tires adjusted to the recommended pressure.
Tire Pressure (measured cold)

Front: 195 kPa (28 psi)
Rear: 180 kPa (26 psi)
195 kPa (28 psi) : (Si with 4WS)

Condition of Your Car

You can only get maximum fuel economy if your car is in top running condition. Have all required maintenance done at theproper intervals. Check tire pressures and tire wear frequently. If
tire wear is uneven, have the alignment checked by your Honda dealer. Proper alignment saves gasoline and prolongs tire life.
RELEASE LEVER

Pull upProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Starting the Engine
Before Starting
Manual Transmission:

1 . Apply the parking brake.
2 . Push the clutch pedal all the way in (see NOTE below).
3 . Shift the transmission to neutral.

NOTE:

On cars equipped with manual transmissions, the engine will
not crank unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission: 1. Make sure the shift lever is in Park (P).
2. Apply the parking brake and the foot brake.
Starting a Cold Engine(2.0 S)
NOTE:

When starting in cold weather, keep all unnecessary electrical

circuits off (lights, defogger, etc.) for the best battery output.

1. Above 32°F(0°C) Push the accelerator to the floor 1 time and slowly release it.
Below 32°F(0°C)
Push the accelerator to the floor 2 or 3 times and slowly

release it.

Below 0°F(-18°C)
Push the accelerator to the floor 3 or 4 times and slowly

release it.

DO NOT pump while cranking.
2. With your foot OFF the accelerator, crank the engine until it starts and runs. (It may require more than 5 seconds of cranking.)

NOTE:
If the engine won't start, push the accelerator pedal down 1 more
time and slowly release it, then start the engine.Repeat once more if necessary,
If the engine still won't start, push the accelerator down about halfway; hold it there and crank the engine until it starts. Once the
engine starts, release the accelerator gradually as the enginewarms up.If the engine doesn't start within 15 seconds of cranking, turn the
key off
and wait 10 seconds before trying again.
3. If the outside temperature is below freezing, or if your car has not been driven for several days, warm up the engine for a few
minutes before driving.
(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Safety Items
Before driving away, check that: The doors are closed properly. The mirrors are properly adjusted, and the windows clean.
The driver and passengers are wearing properly adjusted seat
belts.
The head restraints are properly adjusted.
The warning and indicator lights are operating properly.
The brake pedal feels normal.
All luggage and cargo is secured.
Nothing is interfering with the driver's feet or blocking vision to

the rear.

While driving remember to: Always drive defensively; expect the unexpected. Reduce your speed during night hours and bad weather.
Follow at a safe distance; don't tailgate.
Get off the highway when you are tired; stop and take a rest.
When stopping for repairs: Park the car well off the road.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher. Use flares or other warning devices to warn other motorists.
After parking your car: Apply the parking brake and shift to first gear if equipped withmanual transmission, or PARK on automatic transmission

equipped cars.
Make sure the windows are closed and all doors are locked.
If parked on a hill:
Turn the front wheels away from the curb if facing uphill.
Turn the front wheels toward the curb if facing downhill. Never leave children unattended in a parked car.
Take your
keys.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

Operating Tips

For smoother operation, apply the brakes when shifting from
Neutral or Park to a forward or reverse gear.
When parking: bring the car to a stop with the foot brake, hold the brake on and shift into Park, set the hand brake and then turn off
the engine.

NOTE:

Your 4 speed automatic transmission is equipped with a torque
converter lock-up clutch. Because of this, you may notice what
feels like an extra shift as the clutch engages.
CAUTION: Shift into P only after the car has come to a complete stop.
Shift into or out of R only after the car has come to a complete

stop.

Do not "rev-up" the engine when the brake is on and the shift
lever is in D, S, 2 or R.
When stopped on a hill, use the brakes to hold your position, not the accelerator pedal.Do not shift from N or P into D, S, 2 or R when the engine is
above idle speed. Before shifting into gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal. Do not rest your hand on the shift lever or push the shift button
while driving.

Driving Technique

D-4th
Use the D range for normal in-town and highway driving. The car
will start off in 1st and shift automatically to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The
further down you push the accelerator, the later the transmission will shift and the faster the car will accelerate.

S3/S4

The "S" shift selector range changes the shift points under part
throttle acceleration, allowing the transmission to stay in each lower
gear for a longer period before automatically upshifting. With the shift selector in the "S" range, the "S3" indicator light in the dashpanel will come on and the transmission will shift from 1st to 2nd
and 3rd but not 4th. This is especially useful when climbing or
descending grades. While driving in the "S" range, the car's performance is improved but fuel economy is reduced.
Shifting the Automatic (cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s

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

Changing a Flat Tire
Do not attempt to change a tire unless the car is on firm, level
ground and well out of the flow of traffic.
Park the car on a firm, level surface, apply the parking brake, turn
on the hazard warning switch and put the transmission in gear (Park
for automatic).

1. Remove the jack, lug wrench/jack handle and jack handle extension (in the tool bag) from the location shown.

NOTE:

To remove the jack, release its tension against the mount by turning

the screw counterclockwise.

2. Remove the spare tire.
3. Place blocks in front and back of the wheel diagonally opposite the tire you are changing.
JACK

COMPACT SPARE

TOOL BAGProCarManuals.comMain Menu t s