2000 HONDA PRELUDE maintenance

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

Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t

The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations in the maintenance schedule.
Cleanin g (Sever e Conditions )
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to compressed air (such as a servicestation), ask your Honda dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation. Replacemen
t
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger's
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four hold-down clamps and remove the air cleaner
housing cover.
2. Remove the old air cleaner element. Carefully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
3. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
4. Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, snap the four hold-down
clamps back into place.
Maintenance

CLAMP
S

AIR CLEANE R

ELEMEN T

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

Batter
y

Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors. Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
off with plain water. Dry off the

battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion. If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative (—) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean th
e battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electrical system.
Maintenance
CONTINUED
TES
T INDICATO R WINDO W

Battery
, Wipe r Blade s

If your car's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system willdisable itself. The next time you turn on the radio you will see
in the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page 123 ).

Charging the battery with the cables

connected can seriously damage your

car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the

battery to a charger.
Wipe
r Blade s

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find these signs, or they leave streaksand unwiped areas when used.

Maintenanc e

The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
maintenance.
NOTIC
E

Wipe
r Blades , Ai r Conditionin g Syste m

4. Examine the new wiper blades. If they have no plastic or metal rein-
forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcement strips from the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the edge of the new blade. 5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield.Lower the passenger's side first,
then the driver's side. Ai
r Conditionin g Syste m
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure theair conditioning works efficiently.
Maintenanc e
BLAD
E
REINFORCEMEN T
AI
R CONDITIONIN G CONDENSE R

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