Hey all I bought a '01 SE a couple weeks ago with 59,000kms. However, one of the two previous owners must have lost the damn owner's manual. I've tried to find one on the internet with no success. I don't want to pay the dealership $40 for a new one. I downloaded one but the cover of it said it was for the 97-99 Prelude or similar years...NOT '01. Anyone got any ideas?
I would like to read the entire thing to be honest. I don't know anything about the maintenance required light on my dash. When I first got the car it was red, so after giving it a tune-up I reset it and now it's green. Is it supposed to always remain green? Also I've heard on here that the ideal range to shift is between 2500 and 3500 RPM, is this true? I don't know anything about when/how my VTEC "kicks in". So far I'm getting bad city mileage, as in less than 20 MPG, though I guess this is pretty standard with Preludes, surprised it's this bad for one in as good a shape as mine.
I would like to read the entire thing to be honest. I don't know anything about the maintenance required light on my dash. When I first got the car it was red, so after giving it a tune-up I reset it and now it's green. Is it supposed to always remain green? Also I've heard on here that the ideal range to shift is between 2500 and 3500 RPM, is this true? I don't know anything about when/how my VTEC "kicks in". So far I'm getting bad city mileage, as in less than 20 MPG, though I guess this is pretty standard with Preludes, surprised it's this bad for one in as good a shape as mine.
Once you reset it to green, it stays like that until it turns red again at 7,500 miles. That's when Honda suggests you do an oil change (although almost everyone would agree to do it between 3,000-5,000 miles). That light is only there to remind you to do an oil change, nothing more. As for shifting, shift whenever you want, man! However, if you want fuel efficiency, shifting at around 3,000 RPM is good. VTEC kicks in at 5,200 RPM no matter what gear you are in. As for gas mileage, I used to get around 19.5 MPG (city only) once I got my '97. After I learned stick a little better, I got up to 20.5 MPG (city only). My highway is 30 MPG. If you are not getting 20 MPG (city only), you are probably just shifting at higher RPMs that are not fuel efficient.
That light is based on a maintenance schedule not 7,500 mile intervals. The maintenance schedule is in the manual and gives a good general idea. Some things are not necessary and others are not mentioned. It isn't an oil change light.
If you search "maintenance schedule" here you'll find plenty of info.
To improve MPG the main issue is using less throttle, not necessarily lower RPM. If you are shifting early but using more throttle due to lack of power, then you are wasting lots of gas.
Okay thanks for the info guys. I had no idea that VTEC kicks in at 5200 rpm. I usually shift between 2500 and 3500, I rarely get over 4000-4500 before shifting so I don't think that's responsible for my poor gas mileage. I'll look into that too much throttle point though, I do shift earlier than I should sometimes, especially from 3rd to 4th.
Actually, the light is based on 7,500 mile intervals. On p.36 of my 1997 Owner's Manual it states:
"This indicator reminds you that it is nearing 7,500 miles (12,000 km) since the last scheduled maintenance. Refer to the Maintenance Schedules for Normal and Severe Driving Conditions on pages 140-141. When the distance driven since the last scheduled maintenance nears 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the indicator will turn yellow. If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the indicator will turn red. Your dealer will reset the indicator when he performs the scheduled maintenance. If someone else performs the maintenance, reset the indicator by inserting your master or valet key in the slot beside the indicator."
The Maintenance Required Indicator is directly referring to the oil and tires since p.140 states:
"Replace engine oil every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months," as well as, "Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)."
I'm pretty sure that "thing" you downloaded is still acurate right? Someone confirm this. Because if it is the Helms, then it should be the "correct" one anyways.
Actually, the light is based on 7,500 mile intervals. On p.36 of my 1997 Owner's Manual it states:
"This indicator reminds you that it is nearing 7,500 miles (12,000 km) since the last scheduled maintenance. Refer to the Maintenance Schedules for Normal and Severe Driving Conditions on pages 140-141. When the distance driven since the last scheduled maintenance nears 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the indicator will turn yellow. If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the indicator will turn red. Your dealer will reset the indicator when he performs the scheduled maintenance. If someone else performs the maintenance, reset the indicator by inserting your master or valet key in the slot beside the indicator."
The Maintenance Required Indicator is directly referring to the oil and tires since p.140 states:
"Replace engine oil every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months," as well as, "Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)."
Mine doesn't do this.
It came on for 60k, 75k, and other intervals. Not on a 7,500 schedule. It has only come roughly 3 times over driving 100k+ miles.
I'm pretty sure that "thing" you downloaded is still acurate right? Someone confirm this. Because if it is the Helms, then it should be the "correct" one anyways.
Good luck
I just don't want to use a manual for the 97-99 model for my 01 model. Unless someone can confirm there are very few differences. Also mine is the Canadian lude, and I'm sure the manual I DLed is the yank one.
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However, if you want fuel efficiency, shifting at around 3,000 RPM is good. VTEC kicks in at 5,200 RPM no matter what gear you are in. As for gas mileage, I used to get around 19.5 MPG (city only) once I got my '97. After I learned stick a little better, I got up to 20.5 MPG (city only). My highway is 30 MPG. If you are not getting 20 MPG (city only), you are probably just shifting at higher RPMs that are not fuel efficient.
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