2000 HONDA PRELUDE parking brake

Instrument
s an d Control s
This section gives information about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 52
Indicator Lights................................ 53

Gauges.............................................. 58
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer..................................
58
Odometer...................................... 58

Trip Meter.................................... 58

Fuel Gauge...................................
59

Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Maintenance Required
Indicator...................................

60
Controls Near the Steering

Wheel........................................
61

Headlights....................................
62
Daytime Running Lights............. 62
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 63
Turn Signals................................. 63
Windshield Wipers...................... 64
Windshield Washers................... 65
Hazard Warning........................... 65
Rear Window Defogger.............. 65
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 66
Steeling Wheel Controls................ 67
Cruise Control.............................. 67
Keys and Locks................................ 70
Keys............................................... 70
Learning Key................................ 71
Immobilizer System..................... 71
Ignition Switch............................. 73
Power Door Locks.......................74
Lockout Prevention..................... 75
Remote Transmitter ...................
. 75

Trunk...........................................

78
Glove Box..................................... 79
Seat Adjustments............................ .
80
Front Seat Adjustments.............. 80
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment............................... 81

Rear Seat Access......................... 81

Head Restraints........................... 82
Seat Heaters..................................... 83

Folding Rear Seat............................ 84
Power Windows............................... 85

Moonroof.......................................... 87

Mirrors..............................................

88
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 8
8

Parking Brake.................................. 89

Digital Clock..................................... 90

Beverage Holder..............................
91
Console Compartment.................... 92
Coin Box.......................................... .
93
Accessory Power Socket................ 93

Ashtrays............................................ 94
Interior Lights.................................. 94
Ceiling Lights............................... 94

Courtesy Lights........................... 95
Instrument s an d Control s

Indicator Light s
Supplementa l Restrain t
System Indicato r
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 47.
Immobilize r Syste m
Indicato r
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blinkand the engine will not start (see
page 71).
This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0). Chargin
g Syste m
Indicato r
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 249.
Lo w Oi l Pressur e
Indicato r
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 248.
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lam p
See page 250.
Cruis e Contro l Indicato r
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page 67 for information
on operating the cruise control.
Parkin g Brak e
an d Brak e
System
Indicato r
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage thebrakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engine
is running, or comes on while driving, it can indicate a problemin the brake system. For complete
information, see page 251.
Instrument s an d Control s
SRS
CRUISE
CONTRO L
U.S. Canad a
BRAKE

Indicato
r Light s

Trunk-ope n Indicato r
This light comes on if the trunk lid is not closed tightly.
Door-ope n Indicato r
This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly.
High Bea m Indicato r
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 62 for
information on the headlight

controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 62). Lo
w Fue l Indicato r
This indicator is located in the fuel gauge. It comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon. "Daytim
e Runnin g
Lights " Indicato r

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) withthe headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release the parking brake. If it comes on atany other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There mayalso be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
Instrument s an d Control s

LO
W FUE L INDICATO R
DRL

Controls
Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
Headlight s
The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights. Turning the switch to the
position turns on the headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the driver's door.

To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal leveruntil you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page 57).
To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, thenrelease it. The high beams will comeon and go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlightswitch is in.
Daytim e Runnin g Light s
(Canadia n Models )
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on withreduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignitionoff, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.

Instrument s an d Control s

Mirrors
, Parkin g Brake

Available on all Canadian models

The outside mirrors are heated to re- move fog and frost. With the ignitionswitch ON (II), turn on the heaters
by pressing the button. The light in
the button comes on as a reminder. Press the button again to turn the
heaters off. Parkin
g Brak e
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up fully. To release it, pull upslightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake light on
the instrument panel should go out
when the parking brake is fully
released (see page 55).

Instruments an d Control s
Driving the car with the parking brake
applied can damage the rear brakes

and axles.

HEATE
D MIRRO R

BUTTO N
PARKIN
G BRAK E LEVE R NOTIC
E

Service Statio n Procedure s
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks severaltimes. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page 250).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches. Openin
g th e Hoo d
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hoodrelease handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly. 2. Standing in front of the car, put
your fingers under the front edgeof the hood to the right of center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle. Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lift the hood.
Befor e Drivin g HOOD
RELEAS E HANDL E
LATCH

Drivin
g
This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the 5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes important information on parking
your car, the braking system, and
facts you need if you are planning to

tow a trailer.
Preparing to Drive......................... 140
Starting the Engine........................ 141
Starting in Cold Weatherat High Altitude..................... 141
5-speed Manual Transmission..... 14
2

Recommended Shift Points...... 143
Engine
Speed Limiter ............... 143
Automatic Transmission............... 144 Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145
Engine Speed Limiter............... 150Shift Lock Release..................... 151

Parking............................................ 152

The Braking System...................... 153 Brake Wear Indicators.............. 153
Brake System Design................ 154
Anti-lock Brakes........................ 154 Important Safety
Reminders.......................... 155

ABS Indicator......................... 156
Active Torque Transfer System .. 157 Driving in Bad Weather................ 158
Towing a Trailer............................ 160

Driving

Startin
g th e Engin e

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.

3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.

Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again. 5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.
6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return to step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Startin g in Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/

2,40 0 meters )

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found athigh altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery.

2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not hold the ignition key in START
(III) for more than 15 seconds. When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, return to step 2.
Driving