1998 HONDA PRELUDE tow

Towing a Trailer

When towing a trailer in the Sequential SportShift mode, select
Third, Second, or First gear; depending on the vehicle speeds and
road condition. Do not use Fourth
gear. The recommended speed
range for each gear position is shown in the table. When parking your vehicle and
trailer, especially on a hill, be sure to
follow all the normal precautions.
Turn your front wheels into the curb, set the parking brake firmly, and put
the transmission in 1st or Reverse (manual) or Park (automatic). In
addition, place wheel chocks at each
of the trailer's tires.
Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes practice. Drive slowly,
make small movements with thesteering wheel, and have someone
stand outside to guide you. Grip the
steering wheel on the bottom (rather
than the usual position near the top). Move your hand to the left to get the
trailer to move to the left, and right
to move the trailer right.

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Maintenance Schedule (Severe Conditions)

# : See maintenance and emissions warranty information, last column, page 163 . Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your
vehicle MAINLY under one or
more of the following condi-

tions:

Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip. Driving in extremely hot
[over90°F (32°C)] conditions. Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof rack carrier, or driving inmountainous conditions. Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.

* 1: Refer to page 196 for replacement

information under special driving
conditions.
For Canadian Owners

Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

Maintenance
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Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal
Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, C as required for each distance/time.
Severe Conditions:

• Driving less than 5 mi (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 mi (16 km) per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
• Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

#: See maintenance and emissions warranty information, last
column, page 163.
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Battery
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the terminals with a solution of bakingsoda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion. If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative ( —) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the vehicle's electrical system.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
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Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find
these signs, or they leave streaks and unwiped areas when used.
To replace the blade:1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
Raise the driver's side first, then
the passenger's side. 2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm by pushing inthe lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WIPER ARMS

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Lights

Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb (Except Type SH model)
1. Remove the high-mount brake light assembly by pushing it
slightly toward the rear windshield
and sliding it out of the rear shelf. 2. Remove the socket from the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms. 4. Reinstall the socket. Turn it
clockwise until it locks.
5. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
6. Reinstall the high-mount brake light assembly on the rear shelf.Make sure the tabs on the high-
mount brake light assembly fit
into the slots.
Maintenance
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE
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Storing Your Vehicle

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 175). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5- speed manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels. If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored

indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the vehicle with a
"breathable" vehicle cover, one
made from a porous material such as cotton. Nonporous materials,such as plastic sheeting, trap
moisture, which can damage the
paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your vehicle for 12
months or longer, have your Honda dealer perform the inspections called
for in the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 164).
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle hasactually reached that time or mileage.

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Exterior Care

Washing
Frequent washing helps preserve
your vehicle's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap
and bird droppings can permanently
ruin the finish.
Wash your vehicle in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the vehicle is
parked in the sun, move it into the shade and let the exterior cool down
before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's

Manual.

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your vehicle.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for vehicle

washing.

Wash the vehicle using the water and detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth. Start at the top and work your waydown. Rinse frequently.
Check the body for road tar, tree sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not need waxing. When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.

As you dry the vehicle, inspect it for chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 221).
Appearance Care

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