1992 HONDA PRELUDE steering

Technical Information
The diagrams in this section give
you the dimensions and capacities
of your Honda, and the locations of
the identification numbers. The explanations of several electronic
and mechanical systems on your Honda are for the more technically-
oriented owner. Identification Numbers............... 204
Specifications................................ 206
Anti-lock Brake System ............. 208
Supplemental Restraint
System........................................ 209

Four Wheel Steering ................... 210
Emission Controls......................... 211 The Clean Air Act.................... 211
Crankcase Emission Control
System.................................... 211

Evaporative Emission Control
System.................................... 211

Exhaust Emission Controls.... 212 PGM-FI System.................... 212

Ignition Timing Control
System................................ 212

Exhaust Gas
Recirculation..................... 212

Catalytic Converter............. 212

Replacement Parts................... 212

Catalytic Converter..................... 213

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Supplemental Restraint System

The Honda
Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) is standard on all
Preludes sold in the U.S. and the
SR, SR 4WS sold in Canada.
The SRS includes the steering
wheel airbag assembly, sensors in the dashboard, and a control unit
with sensors behind the center

console.

(On Si 4WS model)
The system also has a dashboard-
mounted airbag assembly for the

passenger.

The sensors are decelerometers,
set to trigger in a frontal impact that generates more force than a 10
mile per hour barrier crash. For the
SRS to activate, at least two sen-
sors must trigger. This duplication
is to prevent accidental activation. When the control unit receives
trigger signals from at least two
sensors, it sends voltage to the
airbag. The control unit stores this
charge in capacitors to insure
reliability even if a severe impact damages the car's battery or
electrical connections.
The electrical charge sent to the
airbag assembly ignites its propel-
lant, which burns instantaneously.
The gas produced by the burning propellant inflates the airbag in
about 40 milliseconds (1/25 of a

second).

The airbag is vented so it stays inflated for only an instant and
does not block the driver's vision.
Smoke from the burned propellant
comes out of the airbag and into
the car's interior. This is normal
and does not mean there is a fire.
The airbag collapses onto the driver's lap. The airbag unit can inflate only one
time. After use, your Honda dealer
must check the complete Supple-
mental Restraint System and re-
place the airbag assembly.
To ensure long-term reliability, the
SRS uses gold-plated electrical
connections throughout. Exposed
components are sealed with epoxy.
The control unit monitors the SRS circuitry whenever the ignition is
ON (II). If the control unit senses
any faults, it turns on the SRS
indicator light on the instrument
panel. Take the car to your Honda
dealer to diagnose and repair the system as soon as possible.
The SRS needs no regular mainte-
nance other than an inspection by
your Honda dealer ten years after

manufacture.

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Four Wheel Steering

The Si 4WS model in the U. S and
the SR 4WS model in Canada are
equipped with an electronic Four
Wheel Steering system.
As inputs, the 4WS system uses a
vehicle speed sensor and a sensor to measure how far the front
wheels are turned.
The electronic control unit for 4WS system uses these inputs to deter-
mine which direction to steer the
rear wheels, and at what angle. Depending on vehicle speed and the
angle of the front wheels, the rear
wheels will be "countersteered"
(steered in the opposite direction of
the front wheels) or "same-steered"
(steered in the same direction as
the front wheels). The 4WS electronic control unit
drives an electric motor built into
the rear steering box. Sensors for
rear wheel angle and speed provide
feedback. The electronic control
unit uses this feedback to compare
the actual rear wheel angle to the
desired angle.
When the driver turns the front
wheels with the car traveling less
than 18 mph (30 km/h), the rear
wheels are countersteered. The angle of countersteer increases as
the angle of the front wheels in-
creases, to a maximum counter-
steer angle of six degrees. This
improves response when parallel
parking or making sharp turns.
Above 18 mph (30 km/h), the rear
wheels are same-steered as the driver begins to turn the steering
wheel. The rear wheel angle for
any given steering wheel angle is
not fixed; it increases as vehicle speed increases. This improves
response in lane-changing maneu-
vers.
As the driver continues to turn the
steering wheel, the rear wheels are
steered back to the straight-ahead
position and then to countersteer
mode. As with same steer, the
angle of countersteer varies with
vehicle speed; increasing and then decreasing as the speed rises. This
gives improved handling in low, medium, and high speed curves.
The 4WS system's electronic
control unit monitors the sensors
whenever the ignition is ON. If it detects a problem anywhere in the
system, it lights the 4WS indicator
on the instrument panel and turns
the system off. With the system off,
the rear wheels remain pointed
straight ahead. Your car will then
drive like a conventional car
without 4WS.

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Index

Accessories
Installation................................. 105

ACCESSORY
(Ignition Key Position).............. 48

Adding
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 144

Brake Fluid............................... 146 Clutch Fluid.............................. 147

Engine Oil...:.............................. 135

Manual Transmission Fluid... 145

Power Steering Fluid.............. 148

Radiator Coolant...................... 139

Windshield Washer fluid ........ 143

Additional Safety Information .... 16
Door Locks.................................. 16

Driving with Pets....................... 17

Seat-back Position..................... 16

Storing Cargo Safely................. 17

Additives, Engine Oil................... 136

Adjustments
Mirrors....................................... .
59

Seats............................................. 51
Steering Wheel..........................

43

Airbag (SRS).................................. 1
0

Air Conditioning............................. 68

Maintenance..............................
157

Usage............................................ 6 8

Ai
r Filter........................................
149
Air Outlet
s
(Vents)......................... 68

Air Pressure, Tires ......................
159

Alcohol an d
Drugs.......................... 24

Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 98

Antifreeze......................................
139

Anti-lock Brake s
(ABS)

Description................................
208

Indicator Light.................. .
34,
118

Operation................................... 117

Anti-theft Steerin
g
Column

Lock.............................................. 48

Appearance Care..........................
175

Ashtray............................................. 65

Audio System................................. .
75

Automatic Speed Control............. 44
Automatic Transmission............ 112

Capacity, Fluid........................
.

206

Checking Fluid Level.............. 144

Shifting
...................................... 113

Shift Leve r
Positions...............
112
Shift Lock Release................... 115
Battery
Charging System Light............. 33

Jump Starting............................ 191

Maintenance.............................. 152

Specifications............................ 207

Before Driving
................................ 97

Belts, Seat ......................................... 4
Body Repair
...................................
181

Brakes

Anti-lock Syste
m (ABS)..........
117
Break-in, Ne
w
Linings.............. 98
Fluid............................................
146
Light, Burned-out................... .

169
Parking......................................... 61

System Light.............................. .
33

Wear Indicators.....................
116
Brakes, AB S

Description...............................
.
208

Operation................................... 117

System Indicator...............
.
34,
118

Braking System...........................
.

116

Break-in, Ne
w
Car ......................... 98

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Index

5-Speed Transmission,
Shifting the ............................... 111

Flashers, Hazard
Warning ........... 56
Flat Tire, Changing a..................
185
Fluids Automatic Transmission.......
. 144
Brake.......................................... 146
Clutch......................................... 147
Manual Transmission.............. 145
Power Steering......................... 148
Windshield Washer..................
155
FM Stereo
Radio

Reception.............................. 75, 84

Folding Rear Seat.......................... 55
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 99
Four-way Flashers......................... 56
Four Wheel Steering (4WS)
Description................................ 210

Indicator Light........................... 35

Operation...................................
118

Front End ,
Towing by Emergency

Wrecker..................................... 202

Fuel................................................... 9
8

Fille
r Door and Cap..................
100

Filter........................................... 150

Gauge............................................ 3
8
Octan
e Requirement................. 98

Oxygenated................................. 98

Tank, Filling the ...................... 100

Fuses, Checking the .................... 200

Gas Mileage, Improving.............. 104

Gasohol............................................ 98

Gasoline............................................ 98
Filter...........................................
150

Gauge............................................ 3 8

Octan
e Requirement................. 98
Tank, Filling the ......................
100
Gas Statio n
Procedures...............
100

Gauges

Engine Coolan
t Temperature.. 38

Fuel............................................... 38

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........
112

5-speed Transmission............. .

111

Glass Cleaning.............................
.

180

Glove Box........................................
.
62
Halogen Headlight Bulbs............ 164

Hazard Warning Flashers ............ 56

Headlights
Daytime Running Lights.......... 40

High Beam Indicator................. 35

High Beams, Turning on.......... 40
Low Beams, Turning on........... 40

Reminder Chime........................ 40

Replacing Halogen Bulbs ....... 164

Turning on.................................. 40

Heating and Cooling...................... 68

High Altitude, Starting at...........
110

High-Low Bea m
Switch ............... 40
Hood, Opening the........................
101

Horn.................................................. 4 7

Ho
t Coolant, Warning about......
139

Hydraulic Clutch.........................
.

147

Hydroplaning................................. 119

Identification Number
,

Vehicle......................................
.
204

If You
r
Car Has to be Towed ....
202
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Index

Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 98

Odometer......................................... 37

Odometer, Trip............................... 37

Oil Change, How to........................ 137
Change, When
to ......................
129
Checking Engine......................


135
Pressure Light............................

33
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart.......................................
136

ON (Ignitio n
Key Position)........... 47
Opening the Hood.........................
101
Opening th e
Trunk ........................ 50
Operation in Foreign Countries... 99
Outside Mirrors.............................. 60
Overheating, Engine....................
193

Panel Brightnes s
Control.............. 41

Park Gear Position.......................
113

Parking Brake................................ .
61

Parking Lights................................ 40

Parking Over Things that
Burn............................................ 213

PGM-FI System............................ 212
Polishing and Waxing..................
177
Power

Door Locks.................................
. 48

Mirrors......................................... 60

Steering...................................... 148
Windows.......................................
57
Pregnancy, Usin g
Seat Belts......... 8
Proper Seat Belt Usage................... 6

Radiator Overheating..................
193

Radio/Cassette Sound System
..... 75

Rear En d
Towing.........................
202

Rear Lights, Bulb

Replacement.............................. 169

Rear Seat, Folding ......................... 55

Rear Vie w
Mirror .......................... 59
Rear Window Defogger ................ 56

Reclining the Seat Backs.............. 52

Recommended Shift Speeds....... 111

Reminder Lights............................
.
31

Replacement Information

Air Filter...................................
.
149

Coolant....................................... 140

Engine Oil and Filter............... 137 Fuel Filter..................................
150

Fuses...........................................
200

Ligh
t Bulbs................................ 164

Schedule..................................... 129

Spark Plugs............................... 150
Tires............................................ 161
Wiper Blades............................. 155
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash................................. 9

Reserve Tank, Coolant...............
139

Restraint, Child.............................. .
18

Reverse Gear Position..................
114
Rotation, Tire............................... ..

160

Safety Belts......................................
.
5

Safety Defects, Reporting............ 26
Safety Labels, Location of............ 27
Safety Messages............................... ii

Seat Belts........................................... 5
Advice for Pregnant Women..... 8Child Seat Anchor Plate ........... 21
Cleaning.....................................
179
Frayed o r
Torn............................. 9

Maintenance.................................. 9ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Reminder Light and Beeper..... 33

Replacement.................................. 9

System Components.................... 6
Tether Attachment Points....... 21
Use During Pregnancy................ 8
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 7
Seats, Adjusting the....................... 51
Serial Number............................... 204
Service Intervals..........................

129
Service Manual............................
.

221
Service Station Procedures........ 100
Setting th
e
Clock............................ 63
Shifting The Automatic Transmission
..................................................

112

The 5- Speed
Transmission.....
111
Shift Leve
r
Position
Indicator...............................
36, 112
Side Marke r
Lights, Bulb

Replacement in.........................
166

Signaling Turns............................. .
41
Snow Tires.....................................
163
Solvent-type Cleaners................ .

176

Sound Syste
m
................................. 75

Spare Tire
Inflating .....................................
184

Specifications............................ 207

Spar
k Plugs, Replacing............... 150
Specifications Charts.................. 206

Speed Control.................................. 44

Speedometer.................................... 37

SRS Indicator........................... .
14, 34

START (Ignition Key Position)..

47

Starting th e
Engine......................
109
In Col
d
Weather
at High Altitude....................
110
With a Dea
d Battery................
191
Steam Comin
g
from Engine.......
193
Steering Whee
l

Adjustment.................................
. 43

Anti-theft Column Lock........... 47
Stereo Sound System..................... 75
Storing Your Car..........................
173

Sunroof............................................. 58

Closin
g Manually.....................
198

Operation.....................................
58

Supplementa
l Restraint System
Service Precautions................... 15

Servicing...................................... 14

SRS Indicator........................ 14, 34

System Components.................. 10

Technical Description............ .

209

Tachometer.....................................
37

Taillights
, Changing Bulbs in.... 169
Taking Care of the
Unexpected ...............................
183

Tape Player.................................... .
81
Technical Descriptions Anti-lock Brake System ......... 208Catalytic Converter................. 213
Emission Control Systems......
211
Four Whee l
Steering ............... 210
Supplemental Restraint
System....................................
209

Temperature Gauge..................... .
38
Tether Attachment Points...........
21

Time, Settin g
the ........................... 63

Tire Chains.................................... 163
Tire, How to Change a Flat........ 185

Tires................................................ 158
Air Pressure.............................. 158Checking Wear......................... 159
Compact Spare.......................... 184

DOT Tire Quality Grading..... 161

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Index

Inflation...................................... 158

Inspection................................... 159
Replacing................................... 161
Rotating..................................... 160

Snow........................................... 163

Specifications............................
207

Tools, Tire
Changing ..................
185

Torn Seat

Belts................................. 9
Towing A Trailer....................................
121
Emergency Wrecher............... . 202
Transmission
Checking Flui
d Level,
Automatic..............................
144
Checking Flui d
Level,
5-speed....................................
145
Fluid Selection......................... .

144
Identification Number...........
.

204
Shifting th
e
Automatic ...........
112
Shifting th
e
5-speed.................
111
Treadwear..................................... 161

Trip Meter....................................... 37

Trunk
............................................... 50

Opening the................................ 50

Open Monito r
Light...................
35
Turn Signals.................................... 41
Underside, Cleaning...................
.

176
Unexpected, Takin
g
Care

of the...........................................
183

Uniform Tir e
Quality Grading.. 161
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 98
Upholstery Cleaning....................
179
Used Oil ,
How to Dispose of.......
138

Vanity Mirror.
................................ 64

Vehicle Capacit y
Load................
106

Vehicle Dimensions..................... 206

Vehicle Identification Number.. 204

Vehicle Storage...........................
.

173
Ventilation....................................... 7
1
VIN................................................
.
204
Vinyl Cleaning.............................
.

179

Viscosity, Oil................................
.

136

Warning Beepers

Key in Ignition...........................
. 47
Seat Belts..................................... 33

WARNING, Explanation of........... ii
Warning Labels, Location of........ 27
Warranty Coverages....................
216
Washer, Windshiel d
Checkin
g the Fluid Level.......
155

Operation..................................... 4
2

Washing.........................................
.
176
Waxing an
d
Polishing..................
177

Wheels

Adjusting th
e Steering.............. 43
Alignment and Balance........... 161 Compact Spare.......................... 184
Wrench.......................................
185
Windows Cleaning.....................................
180
Operating the
Power................. 57

Rear, Defogger........................... 56

Windshield
Cleaning....................................... 42

Defroster...................................... 74

Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades.......................
155

Operation..................................... 4 2

Wor
n Tires.....................................
159

Wrecker, Emergenc
y
Towing...
202
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