1998 HONDA PRELUDE warning light

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
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Indicator Lights

Anti-lock BrakeSystem (ABS)
Indicator
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking ability but no anti-lock. Active Torque Transfer
System (ATTS) Indicator

Type SH only

This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the Active
Torque Transfer System (ATTS). If this happens, take the vehicle to
your dealer to have it checked. With the indicator on, your vehicle willcorner normally, but you will not
have active torque transfer. Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 210). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard Warning switch, both turn signallights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should flash.
Instruments and Controls

ABS

ATTS

U.S.


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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The controls under the left air vent are for the moonroof, cruise controland instrument panel brightness.
The switches for the hazard warning lights and rear window defogger are
to the right of the steering column.
The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.

Instruments and Controls

CRUISE
CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
WINDSHIELD

WIPERS/WASHERS

REAR WINDOW

DEFOGGER

HORN

BUTTONS

TILT

ADJUSTMENT

HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS

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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Windshield Washers
To clean the windshield, pull back on the wiper control lever. The washersspray until you release the lever.
The wipers run at low speed while you're pulling the lever, thencomplete one more sweep of the
windshield after you release it.
Hazard Warning

Push the red button to the left of the
clock to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This causes all four outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled. Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger will clear fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to turn it on and off. The light in the
button lights to show the defogger ison. If you do not turn it off, thedefogger will shut itself off after
about 25 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you restart the vehicle.
Instruments and Controls
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Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, levelground away from traffic. Turn on
the hazard warning lights and turnthe ignition switch to LOCK (0).
2. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual).
Apply the parking brake. Have all of the passengers get out of the
vehicle while you change the tire. 3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well.

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Taking Care of the Unexpected

The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the

jack.
JACK

TRUNK

FLOOR

TOOL KIT SPARE
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If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting

The Starter Operates Normally In this case, the starter motor'sspeed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 133.
Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses

(see page 245).

If you find nothing wrong, you will

need a qualified technician to find

the problem. See Towing on page
250. Jump Starting
If your vehicle's battery has rundown, you may be able to start the
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple procedure, you should take several

precautions.

You cannot start a Honda with an automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle, follow
these directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 190). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.

Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

A battery can explode if you do

not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,

and smoking materials away

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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
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Index

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 206
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 63

Headlights
Aiming......................................... 205

Daytime Running Lights............. 60
High Beam Indicator................... 60
High Beams, Turning on............ 60
Low Beams, Turning on ............. 60
Reminder Chime.......................... 60
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 206

Turning on.................................... 60

Head Restraints............................... 77
Heating and Cooling........................ 92
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 133
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 60
High-mount Brake Light............... 213

Hood, Opening the ........................ 122

Horn................................................... 59

Hot Coolant, Warning About........ 177
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 186
Hydroplaning.................................. 151 Identification Number, Vehicle.... 252
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 250
Ignition Keys............................................... 68
Switch............................................ 70
Timing Control System............. 262
Immobilizer System......................... 69
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 51
Infant Restraint................................ 19 Inflation, Proper Tire ....................
197

High Speed
Driving................... 257
Normal Driving.......................... 198
Inside Mirror.................................... 83
Inspection, Tire.............................. 198
Instrument Panel............................. 50
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 61
Interior Cleaning............................ 222
Interior Lights.................................. 89
Introduction.........................................

i

Jacking up
the Car......................... 231
Jack, Tire........................................ 230

Jump Starting................................. 236

Keys................................................... 68

Label, Certification........................ 252
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 61
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 40Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 47
Learning Key.................................... 69
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 206
Indicator........................................ 51

Parking.......................................... 60

Turn Signal................................... 61
Loading Cargo................................ 128
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 71
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