1998 HONDA PRELUDE engine

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page 123). Although oil
level and oil pressure are not directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 173). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Towing on

page 250.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Charging System Indicator

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and goout after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

This indicator comes on for a few seconds when yon turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your
vehicle's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your
vehicle to put out excessive emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage. If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks. Replace
the fuel fill cap if it is missing.
Tightening the cap will not make the indicator turn off immediately; it
takes three driving trips.
If the indicator remains on past threedriving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and driving at high speed.
You should also have the dealer inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle's emissionscontrols and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle 's warranties.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP


NOTICE
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Brake System Indicator

The Brake System indicator light comes on when you turn the ignitionON (II). If the parking brake is notset, it goes off after you start the
engine. If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the
parking brake with the engine
running.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle's
brake system. In most cases, the problem is a low fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 185). If the
fluid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn
brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedal go down much farther before the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on thepedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as

soon as possible.

If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR

BRAKEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fuses

All the electrical circuits in your vehicle have fuses to protect them
from a short circuit or overload.
These fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
The under-hood fuse box is locatedin the back of the engine compart-
ment on the passenger's side. Toopen it, push the tab as shown. The interior fuse box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver's side.
To open it, turn the knob as shown.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
UNDER-HOOD

TAB

INTERIOR

KNOBProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Towing
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance. Never tow your vehicle behindanother vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
Emergency Towing
There are three popular methods of towing a vehicle:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a truck. This is the best way of trans-
porting your Honda.

Wheel Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Sling-type Equipment The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged if this method of towing is
attempted.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed withthe front wheels off the ground. Ifdue to damage, your vehicle must be
towed with the front wheels on the ground, do the following:

5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.

Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If yon cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), yourvehicle must be transported on a flat-
bed.
It is best to tow the vehicle no far-
ther than 50 miles (80 km), and
keep the speed below 35 mph (55

km/h).

If your vehicle is equipped with an
optional front air spoiler, remove it
before towing so it is not damaged.

Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle's weight.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
NOTICE
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Identification Numbers

Your vehicle has several identifying numbers located in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
vehicle for warranty purposes. It is also necessary for licensing and
insuring your vehicle. The easiest
place to find the VIN is on a plate
fastened to the top of the dashboard.
You can see it by looking through the windshield on the driver's side. Itis also on the Certification label at-
tached to the driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on the engine com-
partment bulkhead. The VIN is also
provided in bar code on the Certification label.

Technical Information
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

CERTIFICATION LABELProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Identification Numbers

The Engine Number is stamped into the engine block.
The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission. MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER Technical Information
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t