2000 HONDA PRELUDE oil pressure

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions. Drivin
g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-

cation of the brakes can cause loss of

control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Visibilit
y — Being able to see

clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind-shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see

page 104).

Drivin g

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
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it. 5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.

Tighten it to:
33 lbf .
ft (44 N.
m , 4. 5 kgf .
m)
6. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change
capacity

(including filter):

5. 1 US qt (4.8 l , 4.2 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your

work.

8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for

several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

Improper dispoasl of engine oil can be

harmful to the environment. If you

change your own oil, please dispose of

the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed

container and take it to a recycling

center. Do not discard it in a trash bin

or dump it on the ground.

Maintenanc e
Excep
t Typ e S H
OIL FILTE R NOTIC
E

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

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 236
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 237
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 242
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 243
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 244
Jump Starting................................. 244 If Your Engine Overheats............. 246Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 248
Charging System Indicator........... 249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 250
Brake System Indicator................ 251
Closing the Moonroof................... 252

Fuses...............................................253

Checking and Replacing........... 254
Emergency Towing....................... 258
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

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

Inde
x

Accessories and Modifications.... 133
Accessories................................. 133

Additional Safety Precautions.. 134Modifications............................. 134
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 73

Accessory Power Socket................ 93
Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS)
Indicator............................... 56, 157
Operation.................................... 157

Adding
Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 191
Brake Fluid................................. 193
Clutch Fluid................................ 194

Engine Coolant........................... 185

Engine Oil................................... 181

Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192
Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 190
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42

Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About

Your SRS...................................45

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47

How Your Airbags Work............ 45

SRS Components......................... 45

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 182
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 213

Head Restraints........................... 82

Mirrors..........................................
88

Seats.............................................. 80

Steering Wheel............................ 66

Airba
g (SRS).................................... 45

Air Cleaner Element...................... 195

Air Conditioning............................... 98
Maintenance............................... 202

Usage............................................. 98

Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 100
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 205 High Speed Driving................... 206
Normal Driving.......................... 206 Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 268
Antifreeze....................................... 185

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

Indicator Light.................... 56, 156Operation....................................

15 4

Anti-theft Steering Column

Lock...............................................

73

Appearance Care...........................
227

Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 94
Audio System.................................

106

Automatic Speed Control................ 6
7

Automatic Transmission............... 144 Capacity, Fluid...........................
264
Checking Fluid Level................

191

Sequential SportShift Mode..... 147
Shifting........................................
145
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145

Shift Lock Release..................... 151

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 229
Carpeting.................................... 230
Exterior....................................... 228
Fabric.......................................... 230
Interior........................................ 230
Seat Belts.................................... 23
1

Vinyl............................................ 230
Windows..................................... 231

Clock, Settin
g the ............................ 90

Clutch Fluid.................................... 194
Coin Box........................................... 93
CO in the Exhaust......................... 270
Cold Weather, Starting in.............

141

Compact Spare............................... 236
Consumer Information*................
274
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51

Coolant
Adding......................................... 185

Checking.....................................

131

Proper Solution.......................... 185
Replacing.................................... 187
Temperatur
e Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 232
Courtesy Lights............................... 95 Crankcase Emission Control

System.........................................270

Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 274
DANGER, Explanation of.................

ii

Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................
. 62
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 244
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 278 Defog and Defrost......................... 104
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 19

1

Dimensions..................................... 264
Dimming the Headlights................
62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 19

1

Engine Oil...................................130
Directional Signals...........................
63
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 258
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 153
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 184 Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 7

4

Power Door Locks....................... 7
4

DOT Tire Quality Grading...........
266

Downshifting, 5-speed Manual
Transmission.............................. 14 2

Driv
e Belts...................................... 204

Driving............................................ 139

Economy..................................... 132
In Bad Weather.......................... 158
In Foreign Countries................. 269

Economy, Fuel............................... 132

Emergencies on the Road............. 235 Batteiy, Jump Starting.............. 244
Brake System Indicator............ 251Changing a Flat Tire................. 237
Charging System Indicator ...... 249
Checking the Fuses................... 254
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 248
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 250
Manually Closing Moonroof .... 252

Overheated Engine................... 246

CONTINUED