2000 HONDA PRELUDE automatic transmission

Towing a Traile r
Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
The added weight, length, and height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance, so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the open road, and follow the guidelines
discussed below.
Towing Speeds and Gears
Drive slower than normal in alldriving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D
4 position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D
3 is
the proper shift lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain. (See "Driving on Hills" in the next
column for additional gear
information.)
Making Turns and Braking
Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
Driving on Hills
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears the red mark, turn the airconditioning off, reduce speed and, ifnecessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shift to
D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator, as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, andremember it will take longer to slowdown and stop when towing a trailer.
Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt

your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a

large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.

Backing Up
Always drive slowly and have someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the left to get the trailer to move to the left,and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Parking

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or in 1 st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the trailer's tires.
Driving

Maintenanc
e

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving 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 279 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 168
Important Safety Precautions ..169
Maintenance Schedule.................. 170
Required Maintenance Record.... 177 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 17
9

Fluid Locations............................... 180

Engine Oil.......................................

181

Adding Oil...................................
181

Recommended Oil.....................
181

Synthetic Oil............................... 182

Additives.....................................182
Changing
the Oil and Filter...... 183
Cooling System.............................. 185 Adding Engine Coolant............. 185Replacing Engine Coolant........ 187
Windshield Washers..................... 190
Transmission Fluid........................ 19

1

Automatic Transmission.......................... 19

1

5-speed ManualTransmission.......................... 192
Brake an
d Clutch Fluid................. 193
Brake System............................. 193 Clutch System............................ 194
Power Steering............................... 194
Air Cleaner Element...................... 195
Hood Latch.....................................

196

Spark Plugs.....................................
196

Replacement...............................
196

Specifications.............................
198

Battery............................................
198

Wiper Blades.................................. 200
Air Conditionin g
System............... 202
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203 Drive Belts...................................... 204
Timing Belt..................................... 204
Tires................................................ 205

Inflation.......................................205

Inspection................................... 206
Maintenance............................... 20

7

Tire Rotation.............................. 208
Replacing Tire s
and Wheels .... 208
Wheels and Tires....................... 209
Winter Driving...........................209
Snow Tires.............................. 210

Tire Chains............................. 210
Lights..............................................

211

Headlight Aimimg..................... 213
Replacing Bulbs........................ .
214
Storing Your Car............................ 225
Maintenance

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s

You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 130. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 131 .
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 190 .
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
191.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 193 .
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
205.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights monthly. See

page 211.

Maintenance

Coolin
g Syste m

Except Type SH only
Remove the drain bolt and washer
from the engine block. 4. Remove the reserve tank from its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator.
Except Type SH only

Apply non-hardening sealant to the
drain bolt threads, put a new washer
on the drain bolt, and reinstall the
bolt in the engine block. Tighten it
securely.

Tightening torque:
61 lbf.ft (83 N.m , 8.5 kgf.m)

6. Mix the recommended antifreez
e
with an equal amount of purified or distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:

With 5-speed manual transmission:

(Except Type SH)

0.87 US gal (3.3 l , 0.73 Imp gal)

(Type SH)

0.85 US gal (3.2 l , 0.70 Imp gal)

With automatic transmission:

0.85 US gal (3.2 l ,0.70 Imp gal)

Maintenanc e
DRAI
N BOL T
Excep t
Typ e S H
DRAIN PLU G


HOLDER
RESERV
E TAN K


RESERVE
TAN K CA P

Transmissio
n Flui d

Automati c Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the filler hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda Premium Formula Automatic TransmissionFluid (ATF). If it is not available,
you may use a DEXRON ®
III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However, continued use can affect shiftquality. Have the transmission
drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance

DIPSTIC
K
UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

DIPSTIC
K

Storin
g You r Ca r

If you need to park your car 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 car back on the road. If possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 183 ). 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 car 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 car 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 car with a "breathable"
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 car 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 172). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.

Maintenance

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

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 car on firm, level andnon-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual). Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car 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.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

JAC
K

TOO L KI T TRUN
K

FLOO R

SPAR E
TIR E

The car can easily roll off the

jack, seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.