1998 Prelude Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
.........................................49
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 91
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................119
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................131
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................159
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .219
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................227
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................251
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................265
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................271
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Accord Value Package Audio System Owner's Identification Form
ProCarManuals.com
Instruments and Controls
This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 50
Indicator Lights................................ 51
Gauges.............................................. 56
Speedometer................................ 56
Tachometer.................................. 56
Odometer...................................... 56
Trip Meter.................................... 56
Fuel Gauge................................... 57
Temperature Gauge.................... 57 Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 58
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel........................................ 59
Headlights.................................... 60
Daytime Running Lights............. 60
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 61
Turn Signals................................. 61
Windshield Wipers...................... 62
Windshield Washers................... 63
Hazard Warning........................... 63
Rear Window Defogger.............. 63
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 64
Steering Wheel Controls ................ 65
Cruise Control.............................. 65
Keys and Locks................................ 68
Keys...............................................68
Learning Key................................ 69
Immobilizer System..................... 69
Ignition Switch............................. 70
Power Door Locks....................... 72
Lockout Prevention..................... 73
Trunk............................................73
Glove Box.....................................74
Seat Adjustments............................. 75 Front Seat Adjustments.............. 75Driver's Seat Height Adjustment............................... 76
Rear Seat Access .........................
76
Head Restraints...........................
77
Seat Heaters..................................... 78
Folding Rear Seat............................ 79
Power Windows............................... 80
Moonroof..........................................82
Mirrors.............................................. 83
Adjusting the Power Mirrors.....
83
Parking Brake..................................
84
Digital Clock..................................... 85
Beverage Holder.............................. 86 Console Compartment.................... 87
Coin Box........................................... 88
Accessory Power Socket................ 88
Ashtrays............................................ 89
Interior Lights.................................. 89 Ceiling Lights............................... 89
Courtesy Lights........................... 90
Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Control Locations
DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
(P.72) DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.85)
MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P.83)
POWER
WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.80)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
(P.121) HEATING/
COOLING
CONTROLS
(P.92)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.100)
TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.73) HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.122)
Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your vehicle.
Lamp Chec
k
These indicator lights come on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), allowin
g you to see that they are
working:
SRS
Indicator
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Charging System Indicator Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder Light
D4 Lamp
Immobilizer System Indicator
Active Torque Transfer
System
Indicator
If an
indicator does not light during
this test, it cannot alert you if that system
develops a problem. Have the
dealer check your vehicle for
burned-ou
t bulbs or other problems.
* The
U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model
are
noted in the text.
Instruments
and Controls
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAM
P
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT LOW
FUEL
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
HIGH
BEAM
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTRO L
INDICATOR
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Indicator Lights
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
* The U.S. Type SH instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPENINDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
ACTIVE TORQUE TRANSFER SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Indicator Lights
Trunk-open Indicator
This light comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly.
Door-open Indicator
This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly.
High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 60 forinformation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 60). Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator is located in the fuel gauge. It comes on as a reminderthat you must refuel soon. "Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator
Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parkingbrake set. It should go off if you turnon the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any
other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
Instruments and Controls
D
R
L
LOW FUEL INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Gauges
Speedometer
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Canadian Models
This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph). Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute(rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. Odometer
The odometer shows the total dis- tance your vehicle has been driven.It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models. It is illegal under federal law (in the
U.S.) and provincial regulations (inCanada) to disconnect, reset, or alter
the odometer with the intent to change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated.
Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)driven since you last reset it. To
reset it, push the trip meter reset
button.
Instruments and Controls
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER
TRIP METER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
ODOMETER
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
RESET BUTTONProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Gauges
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may showslightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II). Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of theengine's coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 238 for
instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling
system.
Instruments and Controls
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER
TRIP METER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE ODOMETER
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
RESET BUTTONProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t