2000 HONDA PRELUDE transmission

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

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

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

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

Brak
e an d Clutc h Flui d
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are: Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission only)
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-

nance schedule.
Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3
brake fluid. If it is not available, you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
fluid, from a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement. However,
the use of any non-Honda brake fluid
can cause corrosion and decrease

the life of the system. Have the brake system flushed and refilled
with Honda DOT 3 brake fluid as
soon as possible.

Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking

system and can cause extensive

damage.
Brak
e Syste m
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the sideof the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or worn brake pads.
Maintenance
MI
N
MA
X

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.