1998 HONDA PRELUDE power steering fluid

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your vehicle wellmaintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 271 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 160
Important Safety Precautions ..161
Maintenance Schedule.................. 162
Required Maintenance Record.... 169 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Fluid Locations............................... 172
Engine Oil.......................................173

Adding Oil................................... 173Recommended Oil..................... 173Synthetic Oil............................... 174

Additives..................................... 174
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 175
Cooling System.............................. 177
Adding Engine Coolant............. 177Replacing Engine Coolant........ 179
Windshield Washers..................... 182
Transmission Fluid........................ 183 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 183
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 184
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 185 Brake System............................. 185
Clutch System............................ 186
Power Steering............................... 186
Air Cleaner Element...................... 187 Spark Plugs..................................... 188
Replacement............................... 188
Specifications............................. 190
Battery............................................ 190
Wiper Blades.................................. 193
Air Conditioning System............... 195 Drive Belts...................................... 196
Timing Belt..................................... 196

Tires................................................ 197
Inflation....................................... 197

Inspection................................... 198

Maintenance............................... 199

Tire Rotation.............................. 200 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 200
Wheels and Tires....................... 201

Winter Driving...........................201
Snow Tires.............................. 202

Tire Chains............................. 202

Lights.............................................. 203

Headlight Aimimg..................... 205

Replacing Bulbs......................... 206

Storing Your Vehicle..................... 217

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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)

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering

Clutch System

The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system inspected as soon as possible. Power Steering
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. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement. However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maintenance
MAX

MIN

LOWER

LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

NOTICE
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 126 Accessories................................. 126
Additional Safety Precautions.. 127Modifications............................. 127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 71
Accessory Power Socket................ 88
Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS)
Indicator................................ 54, 149
Operation.................................... 149
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 183
Brake Fluid................................. 185
Clutch Fluid................................ 186
Engine Coolant........................... 177
Engine Oil...................................173
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 184
Power Steering Fluid................. 186
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 182
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........................ 40
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42

Seat Belt System Components... 40

Additional Information About

YourSRS................................... 43

Additional Safety Precautions.... 46
How Your Airbags Work............ 43

How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................45

SRS Components......................... 43

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 174

Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 205

Head Restraints........................... 77
Mirrors..........................................
83

Seats.............................................. 7 5

Steerin
g Wheel............................ 64

Airbag (SRS).................................... 43

Air Cleaner Element...................... 187
Air Conditioning............................... 92 Maintenance............................... 195

Usage.............................................92

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 94
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 197 High Speed Driving................... 257
Normal Driving.......................... 198
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 259 Antifreeze....................................... 177
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Eight..................... 54, 148Operation.................................... 146
Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock............................................... 71

Appearance Care........................... 219 Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 89
Audio System................................. 100
Automatic Speed Control................ 65
Automatic Transmission............... 136
Capacity, Fluid........................... 254
Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Sequential SportShift Mode..... 139
Shifting........................................ 137
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 136
Shift Lever Positions................. 137
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 53, 241
Jump Starting............................. 236 Maintenance............................... 190
Specifications............................. 255
Before Driving............................... 119
Belts, Seat........................................... 4
Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Body Repair.................................... 225

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146
Break-in, New Linings .............. 120

Fluid............................................ 185
Light, Burned-out...................... 211

Parking.......................................... 84

System Indicator.......................... 53
Wear Indicators......................... 145
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 146
System Indicator................. 54, 148
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 120
Brightness Control, Instruments... 61 Brights, Headlights......................... 60
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 211
Brake Lights............................... 211
Ceiling Lights............................. 215Courtesy Lights......................... 215
Front Parking Lights................. 208
Front Side Marker Lights......... 209
Headlights.................................. 206
High-mount Brake Light.......... 213
License Plate Light.................... 214
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 211
Specifications............................. 255
Trunk Light................................ 216 Turn Signal Lights..................... 210
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 206
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 236
Capacities Chart............................. 254

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 47
Cargo, Loading...............................
128

Cassette Playe r

Care.............................................
116

Operation....................................

113

CAUTION, Explanatio n
of...............

ii

CD Changer...................................
.
109
CD Player........................................ 109

Certification Label......................... 252

Chains............................................. 202

Change Oil How to.........................................175

When to....................................... 164

Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 229
Changing Engine Coolant............. 179
Charging System Indicator .... 53, 241 Checking Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 183

Battery Condition...................... 190

Brake Fluid................................. 185
Clutch Fluid................................186
Drive Belts.................................. 196
Engine Coolant........................... 124

Engine Oil................................... 123

Fuses........................................... 246
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 184
Power Steering Fluid................. 186
Checklist, Before Driving............. 132
Child Safety......................................19
Cleaner, Air.................................... 187ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Emergency Brake............................ 84
Emergency Flashers....................... 63
Emission Controls......................... 261

Engine

Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 57
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 53, 242
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 53, 240
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 238
Specifications............................. 254
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 259
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 261
Exhaust Fumes................................ 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.........................................17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 220
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 222

Fan, Interior...................................... 92

Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 91
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 121 Filters

Air................................................187

Oil................................................175

First Gear, Shifting........................ 142 5-speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 184
Shifting the................................. 134
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 63
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 229
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183
Brake...........................................185
Clutch..........................................186

Manual Transmission............... 184
Power Steering........................... 186

Windshield Washer................... 182

FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 105

Folding Rear Seat............................ 79

Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 260 Four-way Flashers........................... 63

Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 250

Fuel..................................................120

Fill Door and Cap....................... 121
Gauge............................................ 57
Octane Requirement................. 120

Oxygenated................................ 259

Reserve Indicator......................... 55
Tank, Filling the......................... 121

Fuses, Checking the...................... 245

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 125
Gasohol........................................... 259
Gasoline.......................................... 120 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 55
Gauge............................................ 57Octane Requirement................. 120
Tank, Filling the......................... 121
Gas Station Procedures................. 121

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 57

Fuel................................................57

Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 137

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 134
Glass Cleaning............................... 223
Glove Box......................................... 74ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 71
Fuel Fill Door............................. 121
Glove Box.....................................74

Power Door.................................. 72

Trunk............................................
73

Low Coolant
Level......................... 124
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 134
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 55
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 53, 240
Lubricant Specifications Chart........................................... 254
Luggage.......................................... 128
Maintenance................................... 159 Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171

Record................................. 169 - 170

Required Indicator....................... 58
Schedule............................. 162 -

168

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp ... 53,

242

Manual Transmission.....................
134

Manual Transmission

Fluid .......... 184
Maximum Allowable Shift
Speeds................................. 135, 142
Meters, Gauges................................ 56
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 259
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 83

Moonroof.......................................... 82
Closing Manually....................... 244
Operation...................................... 82
Neutral Gear Position.................... 139
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 120
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 135
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i Numbers, Identification................ 252
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 120Odometer.......................................... 56

Odometer, Trip................................ 56

Oil Change, How to ......................... 175
Change, When to....................... 164
Checking Engine....................... 123
Pressure Indicator............... 53, 240 Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 174
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 71
Opening the Hood ......................... 122
Opening the Trunk.......................... 73
Operation in Foreign Countries... 260 Outside Mirrors............................... 83
Overheating, Engine..................... 238
Panel Brightness Control............... 61
Park Gear Position......................... 138 Parking............................................ 144
Parking Brake.................................. 84
Parking Lights.................................. 60
Parking Over Things that Burn... 144
PGM-FI System.............................. 262
Polishing and Waxing ................... 221

Power
Door Locks................................... 72

Mirrors.......................................... 83

Steering.......................................186

Windows....................................... 80
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 17ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 183
Checking Fluid Level,
Manual....................................184

Fluid Selection............................ 183
Identification Number............... 253
Shifting the Automatic.............. 136
Shifting the Manual................... 134
Treadwear...................................... 257
Trip Meter........................................ 56

Trunk................................................. 73
Opening the..................................
73

Open Monitor
Light.................... 55

Turn Signals..................................... 61

Underside, Cleaning...................... 224

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 227

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 257

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 120

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 222

Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 176 Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 129
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 254
Vehicle Identification Number..... 252
Vehicle Storage.............................. 217

Ventilation.........................................95
VIN..................................................252

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 222
Viscosity, Oil................................... 174
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 60

Key in Ignition.............................. 71

Seat Belts........................................ 6

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 48 Warranty Coverages*................... 269
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 182

Operation...................................... 63

Washing.......................................... 220

Waxing and Polishing................... 221
Wheels

Adjusting the Steering................ 64
Alignment and Balance............. 199
Compact Spare........................... 228

Wrench.......................................230

Windows Cleaning...................................... 223
Operating the Power................... 80
Rear, Defogger............................ 63
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 62

Defroster...................................... 98
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 193
Operation...................................... 62
Worn Tires..................................... 198
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 250
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