2000 HONDA PRELUDE engine

Break-i
n Period , Gasolin e

Break-i n Perio d

Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid

acceleration.

Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300

km).

You shoul
d follow these
same re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the

brakes are relined.
Gasolin
e

Your Honda is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
If you are unable to find premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice aslight decrease in power as a result.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead willdamage your car's emissions In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system performance may deteriorate andthe Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact yourauthorized Honda dealer for service.
Befor e Drivin g

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Fillin g th e Fue l Tan k

1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes.Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off. Donot try to "top off" the tank, leavesome room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board refueling vapor recovery system to helpkeep fuel vapors from going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pump
keeps clicking off even though the
tank is not full, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.
CONTINUED

Befor e Drivin g
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keepheat, sparks, and flame awayHandle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
FUEL FIL L CA P

Pul
l

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Oil Check

Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few
minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Befor e Drivin g
DIPSTIC
K

Service
Statio n Procedure s

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark, see Addin g Oi l on page 181.
Engine Coolant Check

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Addin g
Engin e Coolan t on page 185 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Check s on page 179 for information
on checking other items in your

Honda.

Before Drivin g

UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

RESERVE TAN K
MA
X

MI N

Fuel Econom y
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicl e Conditio n
Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s (see page 179). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Drivin
g Habit s
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, toincrease fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes ituse more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.
Befor e Drivin g

Drivin
g
This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the 5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes important information on parking
your car, the braking system, and
facts you need if you are planning to

tow a trailer.
Preparing to Drive......................... 140
Starting the Engine........................ 141
Starting in Cold Weatherat High Altitude..................... 141
5-speed Manual Transmission..... 14
2

Recommended Shift Points...... 143
Engine
Speed Limiter ............... 143
Automatic Transmission............... 144 Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145
Engine Speed Limiter............... 150Shift Lock Release..................... 151

Parking............................................ 152

The Braking System...................... 153 Brake Wear Indicators.............. 153
Brake System Design................ 154
Anti-lock Brakes........................ 154 Important Safety
Reminders.......................... 155

ABS Indicator......................... 156
Active Torque Transfer System .. 157 Driving in Bad Weather................ 158
Towing a Trailer............................ 160

Driving

Preparing to Driv e
You should do the following checks
and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may becarrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat (see page 80).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 88).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 66 ).
8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastenedtheir seat belts (see page 16 ).10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 141).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).
Drivin g

Startin
g th e Engin e

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.

3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.

Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again. 5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.
6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return to step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Startin g in Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/

2,40 0 meters )

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found athigh altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery.

2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not hold the ignition key in START
(III) for more than 15 seconds. When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, return to step 2.
Driving