1992 HONDA PRELUDE radiator

Safety Labels

These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause seriousinjury. Read these labels carefully
and don't remove them.
If a label comes off or becomes
hard to read, contact your Honda
dealer for a replacement.

Driver and Passenger Safety
RADIATOR CAP

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Service Station Procedures
4. Remove it again and check the level. It should be between the
upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower
mark, see page 135 for information
on the proper oil and how to add it. Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it
is between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see
Adding Coolant on page 139 for
informatio
n o n
adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Periodic Checks on

page 133 for information on check-
ing other items in your Honda.

Before Driving

UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK MAX
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Maintenance

Regularly maintaining your Honda
is the best way to protect your investment. You will be rewarded
with safer, more economical,
trouble-free driving. This section
lists items that need to be checked
regularly and explains how to check them. It also details some
simple maintenance tasks you can

do yourself. The maintenance

schedules for normal and severe
driving conditions show you when
these things need to be done.
If you are interested in how to per-
form more complex maintenance
on your Honda, you can purchase
the Service Manual. See page 221 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Schedule................ 128
Maintenance Record................ 131
Periodic Checks............................ 133
Fluid Locations............................. 134

Engine Oil...................................... 135
Checking Engine Oil................ 135

Adding........................................ 135
Recommended Oil.................... 136

Additives.................................... 136 Oil and Filter Changes ............ 137
Cooling System............................. 139 Checking the Coolant Level... 139
Adding Radiator Coolant........ 139
Replacing Coolant.................... 140
Windshield Washers.................... 143

Transmission Oil.......................... 144
Automatic Transmission........ 144
5-speed Transmission.............. 145

Brake and Clutch Fluid............... 146
Brake System............................ 146
Anti-lock Brake System ......... 147 Clutch System........................... 147
Power Steering............................. 148

Air Filter....................................... 149
Fuel Filter..................................... 150

Spark Plugs.................................. .
150
Replacement.............................. 150
Specification.............................. 152
Battery............................................ 152
Windshield Wipers....................... 155
Air Conditioner............................. 157 Engine Belts.................................. 158
Tires................................................ 158 Inflation...................................... 158
Inspection................................... 159
Maintenance.............................. 160
Tire Rotation............................ 160
Replacing Tires ........................ 161
Wheels and Tires...................... 161
DOT Tire Quality Grading..... 161 Treadwear............................. 161
Traction................................. 162
Temperature......................... 162
Winter Driving.......................... 163 Snow Tires............................ 163
Tire Chains............................ 163
Lights.............................................. 164
Replacing Bulbs........................ 164
Storing Your Car.......................... 173

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Periodic Checks

You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the gas tank. See
page 102.

Engine coolant level — Check

the radiator reserve tank every
time you fill the gas tank. See

page 103.

Windshield washer fluid —
Check the level in the reservoir
monthly. If weather conditions
cause you to use the washers
frequently, check the reservoir each time you stop for gas. See

page 143 .

Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly.
See page 144. Brakes, clutch and power
steering — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 146.Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See
page 159.
Battery — Check its condition
and the terminals for corrosion
monthly. See page 152.
Air conditioner — Check its operation weekly. See page 157.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 164.

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Cooling System

Checking the Coolant Level

Check the level of the engine
coolant by looking at the radiator
reserve tank next to the battery. If
the level is at or below the MIN line, add coolant to bring it up to the
MAX line. This coolant should
always be a mixture of 50%
antifreeze and 50% water. Never
add straight antifreeze or plain
water. Always use Genuine Honda Anti-
freeze/Coolant. The cooling system contains many aluminum compo-
nents which can corrode if an
improper antifreeze is used. Some
antifreeze, even though labeled as
safe for aluminum parts, may not
provide adequate protection.
Adding Radiator Coolant

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cool.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

RESERVE TANK

MAX
MIN

Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can

cause the coolant to spray out,

seriously scalding you.

Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing
down on it, until it stops. This
relieves any pressure remaining
in the cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
5. Put
the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between
the MAX and MIN marks. Put
the cap back on the reserve tank.

Do no t
add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.

Replacing Coolant

The cooling system should be
completely drained and refilled
with new coolant according to the
time and mileage recommendations in the maintenance schedule. Only
use recommended antifreeze.
Draining the coolant requires
access to the underside of the car.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.

Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
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Cooling System

1. Slide the heater temperature control lever to maximum heat.
Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to

the touch.

2. Remove the radiator cap. 3. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain
bolt from the engine block. 4. Remove the reserve tank from
its holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug in the
bottom of the radiator. Apply non-hardening sealant to the
drain bolt threads and reinstall
the bolt in the engine block.
Tighten it securely.

Maintenance

DRAIN
PLUG
DRAIN
BOLT RESERVE TANK

HOLDER
RESERVE

TANK CAP

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Cooling System

6. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:

With 5-speed transmission:

(US: S, Canada: S)
3.5
(0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp gal)

(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)

3.8
(1.00 US gal, 0.84 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
(US: S, Canada: S)
3.4
(0.90 US gal, 0.75 Imp gal)

(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)
3.7
(0.98 US gal, 0.81 Imp gal)

7. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
8. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top ofthe engine. Tighten it again
when coolant comes out in asteady stream with no bubbles.
9. Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck. Put the cap on the
radiator, only tighten it to the
first stop. Start the engine and
let it run until it warms up (the
radiator cooling fan comes on at
least twice).

Maintenance

FILLER NECK
Fill up to here
BLEEDER
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