2000 HONDA PRELUDE engine

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It shouldnever come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as yon can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 130). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 181). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 258.)

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d NOTIC
E

Chargin
g Syste m Indicato r

This indicator should come on when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
clefogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
CHARGIN
G SYSTE M INDICATO R

Malfunctio
n Indicato r Lam p

This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the fuel fill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn off
immediately; it takes three driving

trips.

If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and driving at high speed.
You should also have the dealer inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving. If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car's emissions controls and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car's warranties.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
MALFUNCTIO
N INDICATO R LAM P NOTIC
E

Brak
e Syste m Indicato r

The Brake System indicator light comes on when you turn the ignitionON (II). If the parking brake is not
set, it goes off after you start the
engine. If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the
parking brake with the engine running.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car's
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 193 ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake

pads.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two wheels. You will feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be much longer.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 258.)
If you must drive the car a short distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATO R

Fuse
s

All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
The under-hood fuse box is locatedin the back of the engine compart-ment on the passenger's side. Toopen it, push the tab as shown. The interior fuse box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver's side.
To open it, turn the knob as shown.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
UNDER-HOO
D
TA
B

INTERIO R

KNOB

Emergency Towin g
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular methods of
towing a vehicle:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
Thi s i s th e bes t wa y t o transpor t
you r Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Thi s is
a n acceptabl e wa y t o to w you r
Honda .
Sling-type Equipment — The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged.
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following:
5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly If you cannot
shift the transmission or start theengine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the frontwheels off the ground.
With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep thespeed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTICE

Identificatio
n Number s

Your car has several identifying numbers located in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
car for warranty purposes. It is also
necessary for licensing and insuring
your car. The easiest place to find
the VIN is on a plate fastened to the top of the dashboard. You can see it
by looking through the windshield on the driver's side. It is also on the
Certification label attached to the
driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on
the engine compartment bulkhead.
The VIN is also provided in bar code on the Certification label. VEHICL
E IDENTIFICATIO N NUMBE R

CERTIFICATIO N LABE L

Technica l Informatio n

Identificatio
n Number s
The Engine Number is stamped into the engine block.
The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission.
MANUA
L TRANSMISSIO N NUMBE R

ENGIN E NUMBE R

Technical Informatio n
AUTOMATI
C TRANSMISSIO N NUMBE R