1992 HONDA PRELUDE check transmission fluid

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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Transmission Oil

Automatic Transmission

Check the fluid level with the
engine at normal operating tempe-
rature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and
wipe it with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick into the

transmission.

4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Use
Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON ®
II
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) only.
6. Insert the dipstick back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid every 24
months or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK

UPPER MARK
LOWER MARKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Brake and Clutch Fluid

Brake and Clutch Fluid

Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to
three reservoirs, depending on
model. They are:
Brake fluid reservoir (all models) Clutch fluid reservoir
(5-speed transmission only)
ABS reservoir
(Si and Si 4WS models in U.S.
and SR and SR 4WS models in

Canada)

The brake fluid in the brake and
Anti-lock brake systems should be
replaced every 2 years or 48,000 km

(30,000 miles).
Brake System

The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, it is an indication that your brake system
needs attention. Have the brake
system inspected for leaks or worn
brake pads. If you add brake fluid to bring it up
to the MAX mark, use Genuine
Honda Brake Fluid or an equiva-
lent that is marked DOT3 or DOT4
only. Brake fluid marked DOT5 is
not compatible with your car's
braking system.

Maintenance
MAX
MINProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Power Steering

You should check the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir
monthly. Check the level when the
engine is cold. Look at the side of
the reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power
steering fluid to the UPPER

LEVEL.
Using automatic transmission fluid
or another brand of power steering
fluid will damage the system. Use
only genuine Honda power steering

fluid.

A low power steering fluid levelcan indicate a leak in the system.
Check the fluid level frequently
and have the system inspected as
soon as possible.

Maintenance
UPPER
LEVEL

LOWER
LEVEL
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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

Brightness Control, Instruments................................. 41
Brights, Headlights........................ 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights......................... 169
Brake Lights.............................

169
Front Parking

Lights ..............
165
Front Side

Marker Lights......
166
Headlights................................. 164
High-mount Brake

Light........
168
License Plate

Lights................
171
Rear Sid
e
Marker Lights........
170

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

Turn Signa
l
Lights ..................
167
Bulbs, Halogen.............................
.

164

Cables, Jum
p
Starting With........
191

Capacities Chart...........................
206

Carbo
n Monoxide Hazard ............ 25

Cargo, Loading.............................
106

Cassette Playe r

Care..............................................
. 94

Operation.............................. 81,
91

Catalytic Converter.................... .

213

CAUTION, Explanatio
n
of............ ii
Center Console Compartment..... 64
Certification Label....................... 204

Chains............................................. 163

Change Oil
How to........................................ 137

When to...................................... 129

Changing a Flat Tire................... 185

Changing Engine Coolant........... 140

Charging System Light........ 33, 196
Check Engine Light............. 34, 197

Checking
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................
144

Battery Condition.................... .

152

Brake Flui
d
...............................
146

Clutch Fluid.............................
.

147

Engine Belts.............................
.

158

Engine Oil.................................
.

135

Fuses........................................... 199

Manual Transmissio
n
Fluid...
145
Power Steerin
g
Fluid..............
148
Radiator Coolant.....................
.

139
Checklist, Befor
e
Driving...........
108
Child Safety....................................
.
18
Cigarette Lighter........................... 65
Cleaner, Air...................................
149

Cleaning

Exterior......................................
176

Interior....................................... 179

Seat Belts...................................

179

Vinyl........................................... 179
CLEAN Light................................
.
94

Clock, Setting the.......................... 63

Clutch Fluid..................................
147

CO i n
the Exhaust........................
211
Cold Weather
,
Starting in...........
110

Compact Spare.............................
.

184

Consumer Information................
217

Controls, Instruments
and............ 29

Coolant
Adding........................................ 139

Checking.................................... 139

Proper Solution......................... 139

Temperature Gauge.................. 38

Corrosion Protection................... 180

Crankcase Emission Control
System........................................ 211

Cruise Control Operation ............. 44

Customer Relations Office......... 217ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

DANGER, Explanation of.............. ii

Dashboard........................................ 30

Daytime Running Lights.............. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do........... 191
Defects, Reporting Safety ............ 26
Defogger, Rear Window ............... 56
Defrosting the Windows............... 74
DEXRON ®
II Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................. 144

Dimensions.................................... 206

Dimming the Headlight
s .............. 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........
144

Engine Oil................................. .

135

Directional Signals........................
.
41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ... 202
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
116
Disposal o f
Used Oil.....................
138

Doors

Locking an
d Unlocking ............ 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
DOT Tire Quality Grading......... 161
Downshifting,

5-speed Transmission.............. 111

Driving .......................................... .
107

Economy.................................... 104
In Bad Weather......................... 119
In Foreign Countries................. 99
Economy, Fuel.............................. 104
Emergencies on the Road........... 183 Battery, Jump Starting............ 191
Changing a Flat Tire............... 185
Charging System Light........... 196
Check Engine Light................. 197
Checking the Fuses.................
200
Low Oi l
Pressure Light........... 195
Manually Closing Sunroof...... 198
Overheated Engine.................. 193

Emergency Brake ......................... 61

Emergency Flashers...................... 56
Emission Controls......................... 211
Engine Check Light....................... 34, 197
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 38
Oil Pressure Light............. 33, 195
Oil, What Kind to Use .............
135
Overheating............................... 193

Specifications........................... 206

Ethano l
in Gasoline........................ 98
Evaporative Emission Controls......................................
211
Exhaust Fumes.............................. .
25
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.................................. 8
Exterior, Cleaning the.................
176

Fabric, Cleaning........................... 179

Fan, Interior.................................... 68

Fan, Radiator.................................. 27

Features, Comfort
and Convenience........................ 67

Filling the Gas Tank.................... 100

Filters

Air
............................................... 149

Fuel............................................. 150

Oil ............................................... 137

First Gear, Shifting...................... 111

5-Speed Transmissio n
Checkin
g Fluid Level..............
145

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