1998 HONDA PRELUDE Owners Manual

Required Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)

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Owner Maintenance 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 fuel tank. See page 123. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 124.
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 fuel. See page 182. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
183.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 185. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
197.

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 203.

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Fluid Locations

ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
COOLANT
RESERVOIR

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK

(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

(5-speed Manual

Transmission only)

CLUTCH FLUID (Gray cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK

(Orange loop)

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Engine Oil
Adding Oil
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and replace the engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oilcontainer.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving". This oil is
formulated to help your engine use less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ". This service rating may
include other classifications, such asCD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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Engine Oil

The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sureit says "For Gasoline Engines." The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your vehicle according to this chart.

An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economyand year-round protection in your

Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if

the temperature in your area never

goes below 20°F( — 7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil; energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals given in the maintenance schedule.
Additives Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your vehicle's performance or longevity. It only increases the
cost of operating your vehicle.

Maintenance
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

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Engine Oil
Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service. Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. 2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oildrain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

OIL DRAIN BOLT
WASHER OIL FILTER

Type SHProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil

4. Install a new oil filter according to
instructions that come with it.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
33 Ibf .
ft (44 N .
m , 4.5 kgf .
m)

6. Refill the engine with the recom-

mended oil.

Engine oil change capacity (including filter):

5.1 US qt(4.8 l ,4.2 Imp qt)

7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks. 9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If yon
change your own oil, please dispose of the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Maintenance
OIL FILTER

Except Type SH

NOTICE
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Cooling System

Adding Engine Coolant
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
antifreeze/coolant. If it is not
available, you may use anothermajor-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant recommended for aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible. If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

RESERVE TANK

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
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