2000 HONDA PRELUDE trailer

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

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 171 .
Maintenance
U.S. Owner s
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, orde-iced roads.
*1: Refer to page 204 for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
*2: Refer to page 203 for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Canadia n Owner s
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal
Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A , B , C as required for each distance/time.
Sever e Conditions :Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 171.
Maintenanc e
CONTINUED
page 208

Light
s
Headligh t Aimin g
The headlights were properly aimed when your car was new. You shouldcheck their aim if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk or pull a trailer. Each headlight assembly has
horizontal and vertical adjustment
indicators. These are set to their "0"
positions after the headlights are
aimed at the factory.
To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should he sittingin the driver's seat for all checks
and adjustments.
Load the trunk with the items you
normally carry. HORIZONTA
L ANGL E GAUG E
If you usually pull a trailer, load it as
you would normally and attach it to
the car. Push down on the front and
rear bumpers several times to make sure the car is sitting normally.
3. Open the hood.
4. Check the horizontal angle gauge. The line on the adjustment screwindicator should line up with the
"0" mark on the gauge. VERTICA
L ANGL E GAUG E
5. Check the vertical angle gauge. The bubble should be centeredunderneath the longest scribe
mark on the gauge.
MaintenanceCONTINUED
BUBBLE

Inde
x

Shift Lock Release......................... 151

Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 217

Signaling Turns................................
63

Snow Tires...................................... 210

Solvent-type Cleaners....................
228

Sound System................................. 106

Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 236

Specifications............................. 265

Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 196

Specifications Charts ...........

264, 265

Speed Control................................... 67

Speedometer....................................
58

SRS, Additional Information........... 45 Additional Safety Precautions.... 48How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

HowYour Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

SRS Service................................... 4

7

SRS Indicator.............................. 47, 55
START
(Ignition Key Position)..... 73

Starting the Engine........................ 141

In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 141 With a Dead Battery................. 244
Steam Coming from Engine......... 246
Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 66

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 73

Stereo Sound System.................... 106

Storing Your Car............................ 225
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45
Servicing....................................... 47

SRS Indicator......................... 47, 55

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

Tachometer...................................... 58

Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 219
Taking Care of the
Unexpected................................ 235

Tape Player..................................... 119

Technical Descriptions

Emission Control Systems........ 270

Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 272
Temperature Gauge........................ 59

Tether Attachment Points.............. 40

Three Way Catalytic Converter... 272
Time, Setting the............................. 90

Timing Belt..................................... 204

Tire Chains..................................... 210
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 237
Tires................................................ 205
Air Pressure............................... 205Checking Wear.......................... 206

Compact Spare........................... 236

DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 266
Inflation....................................... 205

Inspection................................... 206

Maintenance............................... 207

Replacing.................................... 208
Rotating....................................... 208

Snow............................................ 210

Specifications............................. 265

Tire Chains................................. 210
Winter Driving........................... 209

Tools,Tire Changing.................... 237

Towing
ATrailer...................................... 160

Emergency................................. 258