2000 HONDA PRELUDE oil

Engin
e Oi l
The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sureit says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATIO N SEA L The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is preferred for improved fuel economyand year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F (—7°C). Syntheti
c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil: energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When
using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
Additive s
Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car.

Maintenanc e
Ambien
t Temperatur e

Engin
e Oi l
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filte r
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,

then shut it off.
2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oildrain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to

remove the filter.

Maintenance
Typ
e S H OI
L FILTE R
OI L DRAI N BOL T
WASHER

CONTINUED

Engin
e Oi l
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it. 5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.

Tighten it to:
33 lbf .
ft (44 N.
m , 4. 5 kgf .
m)
6. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change
capacity

(including filter):

5. 1 US qt (4.8 l , 4.2 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your

work.

8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for

several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

Improper dispoasl of engine oil can be

harmful to the environment. If you

change your own oil, please dispose of

the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed

container and take it to a recycling

center. Do not discard it in a trash bin

or dump it on the ground.

Maintenanc e
Excep
t Typ e S H
OIL FILTE R NOTIC
E

Transmissio
n Flui d

5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ grade may be used if SG is notavailable. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as
convenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenanc e
FILLE
R
BOL T

Correc t
leve l

Hoo
d Latch , Spar k Plug s

Hoo d Latc h
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot. Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Honda dealer. Spar
k Plug s
The spark plugs in your car should be replaced according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Replacement

1. Remove the four nuts, then remove the plug wire cover.
2. Clean up any dirt and oil around the spark plug caps.

Maintenanc e

PIVOT
S NUT
S NUT
S

Ai
r Conditionin g System , Ai r Conditionin g Filte r

Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The. condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the

system with Refrigerant HFC-134a

(R-134a). (See Specifications on page
265.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.
Ai
r Conditionin g Filte r
The air conditioning filter removes pollen and dust from the outside air
the climate control system brings
into the interior.
This filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air from industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more often if air flow from the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual. Have the air conditioning filter replaced by your
Honda dealer.

Maintenance

NOTIC
E NOTIC
E

Light
s

HORIZONTA L ADJUSTMEN T

6. If either indicator is not aligned with its "0" mark as described, anadjustment can be made using a
Phillips-head screwdriver to
realign it with the "0" mark. Please
refer to the illustrations.
VERTICA
L ADJUSTMEN T

7. If you cannot get an indicator to align, have your Honda dealer
inspect the vehicle for body

damage or suspension problems.
Replacin
g a Headligh t Bul b

Your car has two bulbs on each side, four in total. Make sure you are
replacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handleit by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
The headlight bulbs in your car are H1 headlight bulbs for longer life.
We recommend the use of Genuine Honda parts for replacing a
headlight bulb.

Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot

when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch

on the glass can cause the bulb to

overheat and shatter.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

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