2000 Honda Prelude Owners Manual

Download PDF Manual
Main MenuTable of ContentsstCourtesy Lights Turn on the spotlight by pushing the button next to each light. Push the button again to turn it off. You can use the spotlights at all times. Your car has a courtesy light in the ignition switch. The ignition switch light comes on whenever you open either door. It remains on, then fades out in about 10 seconds after both doors are closed tightly. The ignition switch light and ceiling light (with the switch in the center position) also comes on when you unlock the door with the key, the lock tab on the driver's door, or the Interior Lights master door lock switch. If you relock the driver's door or close the driver's door with the key in the ignition switch, the lights turns off immediately. Otherwise, the light remains on, then fades out in about 10 seconds. If you keep the door open, the ceiling light (with the switch in the center position) will turn off after three minutes when the key is not in the ignition switch. On Type SH Your car also has a courtesy light in each door. Each door light comes on when the door is opened, and goes out when the door is closed tightly. Instruments and Controls Main MenuTable of ContentsstComfort and Convenience Features The heating and air conditioning systems in your Honda provide a comfortable driving environment in all weather conditions. The standard audio system has many features. This section de- scribes those features and how to use them. (If you selected an optional audio system, refer to the operating instructions that came with it.) Your Honda has an anti-theft audio system that requires a code number to enable it. Heating and Cooling........................ 98 What Each Control Does............ 98 How to Use the System............. 100 To Turn Everything Off ........... 105 Audio System................................. 106 AM/FM/CD Audio System..... 106 Operating the Radio.................. 106 Adjusting the Sound.................. 109 Audio System Lighting............. 110 Radio Frequencies..................... 110 Radio Reception......................... 110 Operating the CD Player.......... 112 Operating the CD Changer...... 114 Protecting Compact Discs........ 116 CD Player Error Indications..... 117 CD Changer Error Indications.............................. 118 Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 119 Tape Search Functions............. 120 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 122 Theft Protection ........................ 123 Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenustHeating and Cooling Proper use of the Heating and Cooling system can make the interior dry and comfortable, and keep the windows clear for best visibility. What Each Control Does Fan Control Lever Sliding this lever to the right increases the fan's speed, which increases air flow. Temperature Control Lever Sliding this lever to the right increases the temperature of the air flow. Air Conditioning (A/C) Button This button turns the air condi- tioning ON and OFF. The indicator in the button lights when the A/C is on. Comfort and Convenience Features MODE BUTTONS REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON RECIRCULATION BUTTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER FAN CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON Rear Window Defogger Button This button turns the rear window defogger on and off (see page 65). Recirculation Button This button controls the source of the air going into the system. When the indicator in this button is lit, air from the car's interior is sent through the system again (Recircula- tion mode). When the indicator is off, air is brought in from outside the car (Fresh Air mode). Main MenuTable of ContentsstMode Buttons Use the MODE buttons to select the vents the air flows from. Some air will flow from the dashboard corner vents in all modes. Air flows from the center and corner vents in the dashboard. Air flow is divided between the vents in the dashboard and the floor vents. Air flows from the floor vents. Air flow is divided between the floor vents and the defroster vents at the base of the windshield. Air flows from the defroster vents at the base of the windshield. When you select automatically switches to Fresh Air mode and turns on the A/C. , the system Heating and Cooling Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstHeating and Cooling Vent Controls CENTER VENT SIDE VENT Open Close You can adjust the direction of the air coming from the dashboard vents by moving the tab in the center of each vent up-and-down and side-to- side. The vents in the corners of the dashboard can be opened and closed with the dials underneath them. Comfort and Convenience Features How to Use the System This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation, heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting. The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to generate hot and cold air. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it will be several minutes before you feel warm air coming from the system. The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature. Main MenuTable of ContentsstIt is best to leave the system in Fresh Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up. Switch to Recirculation mode when you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to Fresh Air mode when the condition clears. The outside air intakes for the heating and cooling system are at the base of the windshield. Keep these clear of leaves and other debris. Heating and Cooling MODE BUTTONS RECIRCULATION BUTTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER FAN CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON Ventilation The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it through the interior, then exhausts it through vents near the rear window. 1. Slide the temperature control lever all the way to the left. Make sure the A/C is off. 2. Select 3. Set the fan to the desired speed. and Fresh Air mode. CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstHeating and Cooling To Cool with A/C 1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. The light in the button should come on when a fan speed is selected. 2. Make sure the temperature control lever is set to maximum cool. 3. Select 4. If the outside air is humid, select Recirculation mode. If the outside air is dry, select Fresh Air mode. 5. Set the fan to the desired speed. Comfort and Convenience Features MODE BUTTONS RECIRCULATION BUTTON TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER FAN CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON Main MenuTable of ContentsstIf the interior is very warm from being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up the controls this way: 1. Start the engine. 2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera- ture control lever is all the way to the left. 3. Set the fan to maximum speed. 4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. When the interior has cooled down to a more comfortable temperature, close the windows and set the controls as described for normal cooling. Air conditioning places an extra load on the engine. Watch the engine coolant temperature gauge (see page 59 ) when driving in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turn off the A/C until the gauge reads normally. To Heat To warm the interior: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select 3. Set the fan to the desired speed. 4. Adjust the warmth of the air with and Fresh Air mode. the temperature control lever. Heating and Cooling To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Conditioning Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in combination with the heater, it makes the interior warm and dry. 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select 4. Adjust the temperature control and Fresh Air mode. lever so the mixture of heated and cooled air feels comfortable. This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outside temperature is above 32°F (0°C). CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstHeating and Cooling To Defog and Defrost To remove fog from the inside of the windows: 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Select When you select system automatically switches to Fresh Air mode and turns on the A/C. the MODE BUTTONS REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON RECIRCULATION BUTTON 3. Adjust the temperature control lever so the air flow from the defroster vents feels warm. 4. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window. When you switch to another mode from Press the A/C button to turn if off. the A/C stays on. TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER FAN CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstTo remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windows after the car has been sitting out in cold weather: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select When you select system automatically switches to Fresh Air mode and turns on the A/C. the 3. Switch the fan and temperature controls to maximum. To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very cold days), first select the Recirculation mode. Once the windshield is clear, select the Fresh Air mode to avoid fogging the windows. Heating and Cooling To Turn Everything Off To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature control levers all the way to the left. You should shut the system completely off only for the first few minutes of driving in cold weather, until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater. Keep the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior. These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base of the windshield and the side window defroster vents. The air flow will get warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can close the side vents with the dial underneath each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshield defroster vents. For safety, make sure you have a clear view through all the windows before driving away. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System AM/FM/CD Audio System Your Honda's audio system provides clear reception on both AM and FM bands, while the preset buttons allow you to easily select your favorite stations. The anti-theft feature will disable the system if it is disconnected from the vehicle's battery. To get the system working again, you must enter a code number (see page 123 ). Operating the Radio The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) to operate the audio system. Turn the system on by pushing the PWR/ VOL knob. Adjust the volume by turning the same knob. The band and frequency that the radio was last tuned to is displayed. To change bands, press the A M / FM button. On the FM band, ST will be displayed if the station is broadcast- ing in stereo. Stereo reproduction on AM is not available. Comfort and Convenience Features STEREO INDICATOR PWR/VOL KNOB TUNE BAR AM/FM BUTTON SEEK BAR PRESET BUTTONS SCAN BUTTON Main MenuTable of ContentsstYou can use any of four methods to find radio stations on the selected band: TUNE, SEEK, SCAN or the Preset buttons. TUNE — Use the TUNE bar to tune the radio to a desired frequency. Press the to a higher frequency, and the side of the bar to tune side to tune to a lower frequency. The frequency numbers will start to change rapidly. Release the bar when the display reaches the desired frequency. To change the frequency in small increments, press and release the TUNE bar quickly. SEEK — The SEEK function searches the band for a station with a strong signal. To activate it, press the SEEK bar on either the or side, then release it. Depending on which side you press, the system scans upward or down- ward from the current frequency. It stops when it finds a station with a Audio System strong signal. To store a frequency: SCAN — The SCAN function samples all the stations with strong signals on the selected band. To activate it, press the SCAN button, then release it. When the system is in the SCAN mode, SCAN shows in the display. The system will scan up the band for a station with a strong signal. When it finds one, it will stop and play that station for approximately five seconds. If you do nothing, the system will then scan for the next strong station and play that for five seconds. When it plays a station that you want to continue listening to, press the SCAN button again. Preset — You can store the frequencies of your favorite radio stations in the six preset buttons. Each button will store one frequency on the AM band, and two frequencies on the FM band. 1. Select the desired band, AM or FM. FM1 and FM2 let you store two frequencies with each Preset button. 2. Use the TUNE or SEEK function to tune the radio to a desired station. 3. Pick the Preset button you want for that station. Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep. 4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total of six stations on AM and twelve on FM. Once a station's frequency is stored, simply press and release the proper preset button to tune to it. The preset frequencies will be lost if your car's battery goes dead, is disconnected, or the radio fuse is removed. CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System AUTO SELECT — If you are traveling far from home and can no longer receive the stations you preset, you can use the Auto Select feature to find stations in the local area. To activate Auto Select, press the A. SEL button. A. SEL will flash in the display, and the system will go into scan mode for several seconds. It automatically scans both bands, looking for stations with strong signals; It stores the frequencies of six AM stations and twelve FM stations in the preset buttons. You can then use the preset buttons to select those stations. If you are in a remote area, Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations. If this happens, you will see a "0" displayed when you press any preset button that does not have a station stored. Comfort and Convenience Features AUTO SELECT INDICATOR TUNE BAR SEEK BAR If you do not like the stations Auto Select has stored, you can store other frequencies in the preset buttons. Use the TUNE, SEEK, or SCAN function to find the desired frequencies, then store them in the selected preset buttons as described previously. SCAN BUTTON A. SEL BUTTON Auto Select does not erase the frequencies that you preset pre- viously. When you return home, turn off Auto Select by pressing the A. SEL button. The preset buttons will then select the frequencies you originally set. Main MenuTable of ContentsstAdjusting the Sound Balance/Fader These two controls adjust the strength of the sound coming from each speaker. The Balance control adjusts the side- to-side strength, while the Fader control adjusts the front-to-back strength. To adjust the fader, push on the BASS/FADER control knob to get it to pop out. Pull it out slightly farther, and adjust the front-to-back sound to your liking. Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it. To adjust the balance, push on the TREBLE/BALANCE control knob to get it to pop out. Pull it out slightly farther, and adjust the side-to-side sound to your liking. Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it. Audio System BASS/FADER CONTROL TREBLE/BALANCE CONTROL Treble/Bass — Use these controls to adjust the tone to your liking. To adjust the Treble level, push on the TREBLE/BALANCE control knob to get it to pop out. Without pulling it out farther, turn the knob to adjust the treble level. Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it. To adjust the Bass level, push on the BASS/FADER control knob to get it to pop out. Without pulling it out farther, turn the knob to adjust the bass level. Push the knob back in when you are done so you cannot change the setting by accidentally bumping it. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System Audio System Lighting You can use the instrument panel brightness control dial to adjust the il- lumination of the audio system (see page 63). The audio system illuminates when the parking lights are on, even if the radio is turned off. Stations must use these exact frequencies. It is fairly common for stations to round-off the frequency in their advertising, so your radio could display a frequency of 100.9 even though the announcer may identify the station as "FM101." Radio Frequencies Your Honda's radio can receive the complete AM and FM bands. Those bands cover these frequen- cies: AM band: 530 to 1,710 kilohertz FM band: 87.7 to 107.9 megahertz Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least ten kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550). Stations on the FM band are assigned frequencies at least 0.2 megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3). Radio Reception How well your Honda's radio receives stations is dependent on many factors, such as the distance from the station's transmitter, nearby large objects, and atmos- pheric conditions. A radio station's signal gets weaker as you get farther away from its transmitter. If you are listening to an AM station, you will notice the sound volume becoming weaker, and the station drifting in and out. If you are listening to an FM station, you will see the stereo indicator flickering off and on as the signal weakens. Eventually, the stereo indicator will Comfort and Convenience Features go off and the sound will fade completely as you get out of range of the station's signal. Driving very near the transmitter of a station that is broadcasting on a frequency close to the frequency of the station you are listening to can also affect your radio's reception. You may temporarily hear both stations, or hear only the station you are close to. Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System As required by the FCC: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Comfort and Convenience Features Radio signals, especially on the FM band, are deflected by large objects such as buildings and hills. Your radio then receives both the direct signal from the station's transmitter, and the deflected signal. This causes the sound to distort or flutter. This is a main cause of poor radio reception in city driving. Radio reception can be affected by atmospheric conditions such as thunderstorms, high humidity, and even sunspots. You may be able to receive a distant radio station one day and not receive it the next day because of a change in conditions. Electrical interference from passing vehicles and stationary sources can cause temporary reception problems. Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System Operating the CD Player You operate the CD player with the same controls used for the radio. With the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II), insert the disc into the CD slot. Push the disc in halfway, the drive will pull it in the rest of the way and begin to play. The number of the track that is playing is shown in the display. You can also play 3-inch (8-cm) discs without using an adapter ring. Play only standard round discs. Odd- shaped CDs may jam in drive or cause other problems. When the system reaches the end of the disc, it will return to the begin- ning and play that disc again. You can switch to the radio while a CD is playing by pressing the A M/ FM button. Press the CD button to return to playing the CD. The CD will begin playing where it left off. Comfort and Convenience Features CD SLOT AM/FM BUTTON TUNE BAR EJECT BUTTON SEEK/SKIP BAR CD BUTTON RPT BUTTON A. SEL/RDM BUTTON Main MenuTable of ContentsstIf you turn the system off while a CD is playing, either with the PWR/VOL knob or by turning off the ignition, the disc will stay in the drive. When you turn the system back on, the CD will begin playing where it left off. Press the eject button to remove the disc from the drive. If you eject the disc, but do not remove it from the slot, the system will automatically reload the disc after 15 seconds and put the CD player in pause mode. To begin playing the disc, press the CD button. You can use the TUNE and SEEK/ SKIP bars while a disc is playing to select passages and change tracks. To move rapidly within a track, press and hold the TUNE bar. Press the side to move forward. You will see CUE in the display. Press the side to move backward. You will see REW displayed. Release the bar when the system reaches the point you want. side of Each time you press the the SEEK/SKIP bar, the system skips forward to the beginning of the next track. Press the side to skip backward to the beginning of the current track. Press it again to skip to the beginning of the previous track. REPEAT — To activate the Repeat feature, press and release the RPT button. You will see RPT in the display. The system continuously Audio System replays the current track. Press the RPT button again to turn it off. RANDOM PLAY — This feature, when activated, plays the tracks on the CD in random order, rather than in the order they are recorded on the. CD. To activate Random Play, press and release the A. SEL/RDM button. You will see RDM in the display. The system will then select and play tracks randomly. This continues until you deactivate Random Play by pressing A. SEL/RDM again. If the system is in Repeat mode, you must turn it off by pressing the RPT button before selecting Random Play. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System Operating the CD Changer (Optional) A Compact Disc changer is available for your car. It holds up to six discs, providing several hours of continuous entertainment. You operate this CD changer with the same controls used for the in-dash CD player. Load the desired CDs in the magazine and load the magazine in the changer according to the instructions that came with the unit. Play only standard round discs. Odd- shaped CDs may jam in the drive or cause other problems. Comfort and Convenience Features AM/FM BUTTON TUNE BAR EJECT BUTTON PRESET BUTTONS RPTBUTTON SEEK/SKIP BAR A. SEL/RDM BUTTON Main MenuTable of ContentsstTo select the CD changer, press the CD button. The disc and track numbers will be displayed. To select a different disc, press the appropriate preset button (1 — 6). If you select an empty slot in the magazine, the changer will, after finding that slot empty, try to load the CD in the next slot. This continues until it finds a CD to load and play. If you load a CD in the in-dash player while the changer is playing a CD, the system will stop the changer and begin playing the in-dash CD. To select the changer again, press the CD button. Play will begin where it left off. Use the CD button to switch between the player and the changer. If you eject the in-dash CD while it is playing, the system will automatically switch to the CD changer and begin play where it left off. If there are no CDs in the changer, the display will flash. You will have to select another mode (AM or FM) with the button. When you switch back to CD mode, the system selects the same unit (in- dash or changer) that was playing when you switched out of CD mode. To use the SKIP, REPEAT, and RANDOM functions, refer to the in- dash player operating instructions. Audio System Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System Protecting Compact Discs Handle a CD by its edges; never touch either surface. Contamination from fingerprints, liquids, felt-tip pens, and labels can cause the CD to not play properly, or possibly jam in the drive. When a CD is not being played, store it in its case to protect it from dust and other contamination. To prevent warpage, keep CDs out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. To clean a disc, use a clean soft cloth. Wipe across the disc from the center to the outside edge. A new CD may be rough on the inner and outer edges. The small plastic pieces causing this roughness can flake off and fall on the re- cording surface of the disc, causing skipping or other problems. Remove these pieces by rubbing the inner and outer edges with the side of a pencil or pen. Never try to insert foreign objects in the CD player or the magazine. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstCD Player Error Indications If you see an error indication in the display while operating the CD player, find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the error indication, take the car to your Honda dealer. Audio System Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System CD Changer Error Indications If you see an error indication in the display while operating the CD changer, find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the error indication, take the car to your Honda dealer. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstOperating the Cassette Player (Optional) The cassette system features Dolby B* noise reduction, automatic sensing of chromium-dioxide (CrO2) tape, and autoreverse for continuous play. Make sure the tape opening on the cassette is facing to the right, then insert the cassette most of the way into the slot. The system will pull it in the rest of the way, and begin to play. * Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo- ration. "DOLBY" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Audio System CD BUTTON TUNE BAR SEEK/SKIP BAR PWR/VOL KNOB TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR AM/FM BUTTON PLAY BUTTON NR BUTTON PROG BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstIf you turn the system off while a tape is playing, either with the PWR/ VOL knob or by turning off the ignition, the cassette will remain in the drive. When you turn the system back on, the cassette player will be in pause mode. To begin playing, press the PLAY button. To switch to the radio or CD player while a tape is playing, press the AM/FM, or CD button. To change back to the cassette player, push the CD button. Tape Search Functions With a cassette playing, you can use the FF, REW, SKIP, or REPEAT function to find a desired program. side of the FF/REW — Fast Forward and Rewind move the tape rapidly. Press and release the TUNE bar to fast forward the tape, or the side to rewind. You will see FF or REW flashing in the display. To stop fast forward or rewind, press either side of the TUNE bar or the PLAY button. If the system reaches the end of the tape while in fast forward or rewind, it automatically stops that function, reverses direction, and begins to play. Audio System The tape direction indicator will light to show you which side of the cassette is playing. The indicates the side you inserted facing upward is now playing. If you want to play the other side, press the PROG button. Dolby B noise reduction turns on when you insert a cassette. If the tape was not recorded with Dolby B noise reduction, turn it off by pressing the NR button. Dolby remains off until you turn it on by pressing the button again. When the system reaches the end of the tape, it will automatically reverse direction and play the other side. If you want to remove the cassette from the drive, press the EJECT button on the cassette player. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstSKIP — The skip function allows you to find the beginning of a song or passage. To activate SKIP, press the SEEK/SKIP bar. Press the side to advance to the beginning of the next song or passage, or the side to return to the beginning of the current song or passage. FF or REW will flash in the display as the tape moves. When the system reaches the beginning of the next song or passage (FF), or the beginning of the current one (REW), it goes back to PLAY mode. Audio System The SKIP and REPEAT functions use silent periods on the tape to find the end of a song or passage. These features may not work to your satisfaction if there is almost no gap between selections, a high noise level between selections, or a silent period in the middle of selection. REPEAT — The Repeat function continuously replays the current song or passage. Press the REPEAT button to activate it; you will see RPT displayed as a reminder. When the system reaches the end of the song or passage currently playing, it will automatically go into rewind. When it senses the beginning of the same song or passage, the system returns to PLAY mode. It will continue to repeat this same program until you deactivate REPEAT by pressing the button again. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstAudio System Caring for the Cassette Player The cassette player picks up dirt and oxides from the tape. This contami- nation builds up over time and causes the sound quality to degrade. To prevent this, you should clean the player after every 30 hours of use. Your dealer has a cleaning kit available. Look at the cassette before you insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten it by turning a hub with a pencil or your finger. If the label is peeling off, remove it from the cassette or it could cause the cassette to jam in the player. Never try to insert a warped or damaged cassette in the player. If you see the error indication on the display, press the EJECT button and remove the cassette from the unit. Make sure the tape is not damaged. If the cassette will not eject or the error indication stays on after the cassette ejects, take the car to your Honda dealer. If you do not clean the cassette player regularly, it may eventually become impossible to remove the contamination with a normal cleaning kit. Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes. Cassettes longer than that use thinner tape that may break or jam the drive. When they are not in use, store cassettes in their cases to protect them from dust and moisture. Never place cassettes where they will be exposed to direct sunlight, high heat, or high humidity. If a cassette is exposed to extreme heat or cold, let it reach a moderate temperature before inserting it in the player. Never try to insert foreign objects into the cassette player. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstTheft Protection Your car's audio system will disable itself if it is disconnected from electrical power for any reason. To make it work again, the user must enter a specific five-digit code in the Preset buttons. Because there are hundreds of number combinations possible from five digits, making the system work without knowing the exact code is nearly impossible. You should have received a card that lists your audio system's code number and serial number. It is best to store this card in a safe place at home. In addition, you should write the audio system's serial number in this Owner's Manual. If you should happen to lose the card, you must obtain the code number from your Honda dealer. To do this, you will need the system's serial number. If your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, the audio system will disable itself. If this happens, you will see display the next time you turn on the system. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit code. If it is entered correctly, the radio will start playing. in the frequency If you make a mistake entering the code, do not start over or try to correct your mistake. Complete the five-digit sequence, then enter the correct code. You have ten tries to enter the correct code. If you are unsuccessful in ten attempts, you must then leave the system on for one hour before trying again. Audio System You will have to store your favorite stations in the Preset buttons after the system begins working. Your original settings were lost when power was disconnected. Comfort and Convenience Features Main MenuTable of ContentsstBefore you begin driving your Honda, you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of important fluids. You also need to know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this section will help you. If you plan to add any accessories to your car, please read the information in this section first. Before Driving Break-in Period.............................. 126 Gasoline.......................................... 126 Service Station Procedures .......... 127 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 127 Opening the Hood..................... 128 Oil Check................................ 130 Engine Coolant Check.......... 131 Fuel Economy................................ 132 Vehicle Condition...................... 132 Driving Habits............................ 132 Accessories and Modifications.... 133 Accessories................................. 133 Modifications............................. 134 Additional Safety Precaution.... 134 Carrying Cargo.............................. 135 Load Limit.................................. 136 Carrying Items in the Passenger Compartment......................... 136 Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on a Roof Rack....................... 137 Before Driving Main MenustBreak-in Period, Gasoline Break-in Period Help assure your car's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles (1,000 km). During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration. Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauled or exchanged engine, or when the brakes are relined. Gasoline Your Honda is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher. If you are unable to find premium unleaded gasoline, you may substi- tute an unleaded regular gasoline. The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice a slight decrease in power as a result. We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits. Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car's emissions In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called MMT. If you use such gasolines, your emission control system performance may deteriorate and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact your authorized Honda dealer for service. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstGasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel. Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame away Handle fuel only outdoors. Wipe up spills immediately. FUEL FILL CAP Filling the Fuel Tank Pull 1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with that side closest to the service station pumps. 2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the driver's seat. Service Station Procedures 3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound as pressure inside the tank escapes. Place the cap in the holder on the fuel fill door. 4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off. Do not try to "top off" the tank, leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes. Your car has an on-board refueling vapor recovery system to help keep fuel vapors from going into the atmosphere. If the fuel pump keeps clicking off even though the tank is not full, there may be a problem with this system. Consult your dealer. CONTINUED Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstService Station Procedures 5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks several times. 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. Opening the Hood HOOD RELEASE HANDLE 1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hood release handle located under the lower left corner of the dashboard. The hood will pop up slightly. LATCH 2. Standing in front of the car, put your fingers under the front edge of 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. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstService Station Procedures After closing the hood, make sure it is securely latched. SUPPORT ROD If you can open the hood without lifting the hood latch handle, or the hood latch handle moves stiffly or does not spring back as before, the mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated (see page 196). CLIP 3. Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the hole on the left side of the hood. To close the hood, lift it up slightly to remove the support rod from the hole. Put the support rod back into its holding clip. Lower the hood to about a foot (30 cm) above the fender, then let it drop. CONTINUED Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstService Station Procedures Oil Check DIPSTICK Check the engine oil level every time you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil. 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). Before Driving 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. Main MenuTable of ContentsstEngine Coolant Check Service Station Procedures Refer to Owner Maintenance Checks on page 179 for information on checking other items in your Honda. MAX MIN UPPER MARK LOWER MARK 4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be between the upper and lower marks. If it is near or below the lower mark, see Adding Oil on page 181. RESERVE TANK Look at the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see Adding Engine Coolant on page 185 for information on adding the proper coolant. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstDriving Habits You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler- ation, abrupt cornering, and hard braking use more fuel. Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler- ate smoothly. Depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed. Every time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter how cold it is outside. The engine will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one. The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate. Fuel Economy The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel mileage you get. Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This will keep it in top operating condition. An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner Maintenance Checks (see page 179). For example, an underinflated tire causes more "rolling resistance," which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly. In winter, the build-up of snow on your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstAccessories and Modifications Modifying your car, or installing some non-Honda accessories, can make your car unsafe. Before you make any modifications or add any accessories, be sure to read the following information. Accessories Your dealer has Genuine Honda accessories that allow you to personalize your car. These accessories have been designed and approved for your car, and are covered by warranty. Non-Honda accessories are usually designed for universal applications. Although aftermarket accessories may fit on your car, they may not meet factory specifications, and could adversely affect your car's handling and stability. (See "Modifications" on the page 134 for additional information.) Improper accessories or modifications can affect your car's handling, stability and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be hurt or killed. Follow all instructions in this owner's manual regarding accessories and modifications. When properly installed, cellular phones, alarms, two-way radios, and low-powered audio systems should not interfere with your car's computer-controlled systems, such as the SRS and anti-lock brake system. However, if electronic accessories are improperly installed, or exceed your car's electrical system capacity, they can interfere with the operation of your car, or even cause the airbags to deploy. Before installing any accessory: Make sure the accessory does not obscure any lights, or interfere with proper car operation or performance. Be sure electronic accessories do not overload electrical circuits (see page 256). Have the installer contact your Honda dealer for assistance before installing any electronic accessory. If possible, have your dealer inspect the final installation. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstAccessories and Modifications Modifications Do not remove any original equipment or modify your car in any way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car unsafe and illegal to drive. In addition, any modifications that decrease ground clearance increase the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other raised object, which could cause your airbags to deploy. For example, do not make any modifications that would change the ride height of your car, or install wheels and tires with a different overall diameter. Do not modify your steering wheel or any other part of your Supplemental Restraint System. Modifications could make the system ineffective. Additional Safety Precaution Do not attach or place objects on the airbag covers. Any object attached to or placed on the covers marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags inflate, the objects could be propelled inside the car and hurt someone. Such modifications can adversely affect handling, and interfere with the operation of the car's anti-lock brakes and other systems. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstCONSOLE COMPARTMENT FRONT DOOR POCKET TRUNK SEAT-BACK POCKET GLOVE BOX Carrying Cargo Your car has several convenient storage areas so you can stow cargo safely. The glove box, and the pockets in the front doors and seat-back, are designed for small, lightweight items. The trunk is intended for larger, heavier items. In addition, the back seat can be folded down to allow you to carry more cargo or longer items. However, carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your car's handling, stability and operation and make it unsafe. Before carrying any type of cargo, be sure to read the following pages. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstCarrying Cargo Load Limit The maximum load for your car is 700 lbs (325 kg). This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, accessories, and the tongue weight if you are towing a trailer. To figure out how much cargo you can carry: Add up the weight of all occupants. If you are towing a trailer, add the tongue weight to the number above. Subtract the total from 700 Ib (325 kg). The final number is the total weight of cargo you can carry. Before Driving Overloading or improper loading can affect handling and stability and cause a crash in which you can be hurt or killed. Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this manual. Carrying Items in the Passenger Compartment Store or secure all items that could be thrown around and hurt someone during a crash. Do not put any items on top of the rear shelf. They can block your view and be thrown around the car during a crash. Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the seats and interfere with the driver's ability to operate the pedals, or with the proper operation of the seats. Keep the glove box closed while driving. If the lid is open, a passenger could injure their knees during a crash or sudden stop. Main MenuTable of ContentsstCarrying Cargo If you can carry any items on a roof rack, be sure the total weight of the rack and the items does not exceed the maximum allowable weight. Please contact your Honda dealer for further information. Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on a Roof Rack Distribute cargo evenly on the floor of the trunk, placing the heaviest items on the bottom and as far forward as possible. If you fold down the back seat, tie down items that could be thrown about the car during a crash or sudden stop. If you carry large items that prevent you from closing the trunk lid, exhaust gas can enter the passenger area. To avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, follow the instructions on page 49. Before Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstThis 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. Driving Preparing to Drive......................... 140 Starting the Engine........................ 141 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude..................... 141 5-speed Manual Transmission..... 142 Recommended Shift Points...... 143 Engine Speed Limiter ............... 143 Automatic Transmission............... 144 Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144 Shift Lever Positions................. 145 Engine Speed Limiter............... 150 Shift 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 Main Menust10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). Check the indicator lights in the instrument panel. 11. Start the engine (see page 141). 12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see page 53). 5. Check the adjustment of the seat (see page 80). 6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page 88). 7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 66 ). 8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked. 9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened their seat belts (see page 16 ). Preparing to Drive You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before you drive your car. 1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice. 2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed. 3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its pressure. 4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored properly or fastened down securely. Driving Main MenuTable of Contentsst1. 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 the START (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 no more 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. Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/ 2,400 meters) An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found at high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400 Starting the Engine 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 Main MenuTable of Contentsst5-speed Manual Transmission Rapid slowing or speeding-up can cause loss of control on slippery surfaces. If you crash, you can be injured. Use extra care when driving on slippery surfaces. Come to a full stop before you shift into Reverse. You can damage the transmission by trying to shift into Reverse with the car moving. Push down the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into Reverse, or shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they won't "grind." When slowing down, you can get extra braking from the engine by shifting to a lower gear. This extra braking can help you maintain a safe speed and prevent your brakes from overheating while going down a steep hill. Before downshifting, make sure engine speed will not go into the tachometer's red zone in the lower gear. The manual transmission is syn- chronized in all forward gears for smooth operation. It has a lockout so you cannot shift directly from Fifth to Reverse. When shifting up or down, make sure you push the clutch pedal down all the way, shift to the next gear, and let the pedal up gradually. When you are not shifting, do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your clutch to wear out faster. Driving Main MenuTable of Contentsst5-speed Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Points Drive in the highest gear that lets the engine run and accelerate smoothly. This will give you the best fuel economy and effective emis- sions control. The following shift points are recommended: Engine Speed Limiter If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you are in, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. If this occurs, you may feel the engine cut in and out. This is caused by a limiter in the engine's computer controls. The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone. Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not go into the tachometer's red zone in the lower gear. Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstAutomatic Transmission Your Honda's transmission has four forward speeds, and is electronically controlled for smoother shifting. It also has a "lock-up" torque converter for better fuel economy. You may feel what seems like another shift when the converter locks. Shift Lever Position Indicator The "D4" indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If it flashes while driving (in any shift position), it indicates a possible problem in the transmission. Avoid rapid acceler- ation and have the transmission checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible. x1000r/min This indicator in the tachometer shows which position the shift lever is in. The illuminated number next to the "D4" indicator shows you the gear you have selected in the Sequential SportShift mode. Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstShift Lever Positions To select the Sequential SportShift mode, slide the shift lever toward the left from the "D4" position. In this mode the shift lever allows you to shift up and down manually. SHIFT LEVER SEQUENTIAL SPORTSHIFT MODE POSITION The shift lever has eight positions. It must be in Park or Neutral to start the engine. When you are stopped in D4, D3, 2,1, N, R, or the Sequential SportShift mode, press firmly on the brake pedal and keep your toot off the accelerator pedal. Automatic Transmission Whenever you move the shift lever, slide it along the guide on the console. You cannot shift out of Park with the brake pedal depressed when the ignition switch is in LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I). CONTINUED Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstAutomatic Transmission Park (P) — This position mechani- cally locks the transmission. Use Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine. To shift out of Park, you must press on the brake pedal and have your foot off the accelerator pedal. Move the shift lever to the right to shift out of the Park position. If you have done all of the above and still cannot move the lever out of Park, see Shift Lock Release on page 151. Driving Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse from Park, see the explanation under Park. To shift to Reverse from Neutral, come to a complete stop and then shift. Your car has a reverse lockout so you cannot accidentally shift to Reverse from Neutral or any other driving position when the car speed exceeds 7 — 9 mph (12 — 14 km/h). If you cannot shift to Reverse when the car is stopped, press the brake pedal and slowly shift to Neutral then to Reverse. If there is a problem in the reverse lockout system, or your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, you cannot shift to Reverse. In this case, use the procedure of Shift Lock Release (see page 151). To avoid transmission damage, come to a complete stop before shifting into Park. The shift lever must be in Park before you can remove the key from the ignition switch. Main MenuTable of ContentsstNeutral (N) — Use Neutral if you need to restart a stalled engine, or if it is necessary to stop briefly with the engine idling. Shift to Park posi- tion if you need to leave the car for any reason. Press on the brake pedal when you are moving the shift lever from Neutral to another gear. Drive (D4) — Use this position for your normal driving. The transmis- sion automatically selects a suitable gear for your speed and acceleration. You may notice the transmission shifting up at higher speeds when the engine is cold. This helps the engine warm up faster. Automatic Transmission Sequential SportShift Mode — With the shift lever in "D4" position, you can select the Sequential SportShift mode to shift gears; much like a manual transmission, but without a clutch pedal. the gear you selected while in the sequential sportshift mode. If you select the Sequential SportShift while the car is stopped, the transmission automatically selects first gear and the display shows / 1 /. To enter the Sequential SportShift mode, slide the shift lever further to the left. To return to "D4", slide the shift lever to the right. In the Sequential SportShift mode, each time you push forward on the shift, lever, the transmission shifts to a higher gear. Pull back on the lever to downshift. The number of the gear selected is displayed next to the "D4" indicator (see page 144). If you slide the shift lever from "D4" to the Sequential SportShift mode, the display shows the selected gear. If you selected "4", you will see / 4/ next to "D4" in the display. The Shift Lever Position Indicator will show Upshift Downshift CONTINUED Driving Main MenuTable of ContentsstAutomatic Transmission When you accelerate away from a stop, the transmission will be in first gear. The transmission will not automatically upshift. Watch the tachometer and upshift manually before the engine reaches redline. Driving The transmission remains in the selected gear (4, 3, 2, or 1). There is no automatic downshift when you push the accelerator pedal to the floor. The transmission may automatically downshift from fourth gear to third" gear under the following conditions: The car speeds drops below 20 mph (32 km/h). If you drive uphill between 20 — 31 mph (32 — 50 km/h). If you press the brake pedal as you drive downhill. Downshifting gives you more power when climbing or provides engine braking when going down a steep hill. The transmission will also shift automatically as the car comes to a complete stop. It will downshift to first gear when the car speed is under 6 mph (10 km/h). If you try to manually downshift at a speed that would cause the engine to exceed the redline in a lower gear, the transmission will not downshift. If you try to downshift from fourth gear to third gear, the gear indicator will flash /3/ several times, then return to / 4 /; if you try to downshift from third gear to second gear, the gear indicator will flash / 2/ several times, then return to third gear. Main MenuTable of ContentsstThe table shows the speed ranges for upshifting and downshifting. If the car speed slows to below the redline of the selected lower gear position while the indicator is flashing, the transmission will downshift and the display will show the selected lower gear. If the transmission temperature is below 14°F ( — 10 °C), you may not be able to use the Sequential SportShift mode. Automatic Transmission Drive (D3) — This position is similar to D4, except only the first three gears are selected. Use D3, when towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill. D3 can also keep the transmission from cycling between third and fourth gears in stop-and-go driving.

Boost Classifieds - Car Advice, Reviews, Events & Classifieds

2000 Honda Prelude Owners Manual