2000 HONDA PRELUDE lights

Towin
g a Traile r

Additional Trailer Equipment
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don't,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your

towing situation.
Pre-To
w Checklis t
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, be sure to check the

following:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within limits (see pages 160 and 161). The hitch, safety chain, and any
other attachments are secure. All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are workingproperly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page 206), and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
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

Light
s

Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your
car's visibility and the ability tosignal your intentions to other
drivers.
CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

PARKIN
G LIGH T
HEADLIGHT LO W BEA M
SID E MARKE R LIGH T
HEADLIGH
T HIG H BEA M
TUR N SIGNA L

Light
s

Check the following:
Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)

If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible. Refer to the chart on page 265 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. TAILLIGHT/BRAK
E LIGH T
HIGH-MOUN
T BRAK E LIGH T

TAILLIGH T
BACK-U P LIGH T
SID E MARKE R LIGH T
TURN SIGNA L

LICENSE PLAT E LIGH T

Maintenanc e

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

Light
s

1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by squeezing theconnector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight off.
3. Remove the rubber weather sealby pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down wire from its slot. Pivot it out ofthe way and remove the bulb. 5. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in theirslots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked "TOP."
7. Push the electrical connector onto the tabs of the new bulb. Makesure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.

Maintenance

BUL
B
HOLD -
DOW N
WIR E
WEATHE R SEA L
CONNECTO R

Light
s
Replacin g a Parkin g Ligh t Bul b
1. Open the hood. The front parking light is next to the headlight bulb.

If you need to change a bulb on

the passenger's side, remove the

radiator reserve tank by pulling it out of its holder.
2. Remove the socket from theheadlight assembly by turning itone-quarter turn counterclockwise. 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
4. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn itclockwise to lock it in place.

5. Turn on the parking lights to
make sure the new bulb works.

6. (Passenger's side)
Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.

Maintenanc e