Hello and the Chilton Manual - Honda Prelude Forum

Purple Parrot · 09-08-2003, 05:31 AM

Hi folks - I'm a newbie in the chilly north west of England and I just got my first lude - a 96 2.3i auto and I love it!

I tried to post a pic here but I don't think that facility is available to me yet, or if it is I can't find a way to do it. Every time it says I tried to upload the wrong extension - bmp @ 72 and smaller than other pics I've seen. The box showing max size shows nil so maybe I'm too new or summut.

Browsing around the forums. . . what some of you guys have done to your cars is amazing!

Do you mind if I ask a few questions?

Firstly is the Chilton Manual worth getting? The one I've seen advertised says it covers Accord and Prelude models 96 to 00 - anybody got one? Does it cover my car and does it give full info?

Secondly, the headlights aren't very good. The Ford I just sold also had halogen lights and they were fantastic, but these aren't. Anyone know of a good way to improve the brightness? I'm a bit of a dumbass when it comes to mechanics and stuff but a good buddy has a 91 1.6 4ws pop-up lude and says he'll help me out.

It's got a Clifford Connect 40 alarm but no handbook or any info about it - seems to be working ok but of course the brain is the 'requisite' 12 inches from the steering column. Why Why Why??? Aarrggh!!! There's only one remote too. Clifford won't sell alarms on their own over here, the purchase price includes fitting at one of their 'recommended' centres so that must be how they want them fitted. It's also got a Honda immobiliser so theoretically it can't be driven away - or have I got that wrong?

Any help or advice to a lude newbie will be much appreciated.

Lookin' forward to some great miles and getting to know you.

Oh yes - what was the designer smokin when he decided on a not-round cup holder? Ludecrous. . . ha ha!

fiendracer · 09-08-2003, 05:49 AM

as almost anyone on this site will tell you, don't waste you money on a chiltons. get a helms manual (www.helminc.com). it's a bit pricey, but it will answer all your questions.

as for the headlights, i don't know what's available over on that side of the pond, but a set of PIAA extreme white bulbs would be quite an improvement over stock.

as for the cup holder, just be happy you have one, us pre-94 guys have to come up with ingenious ways to carry our beverages.

Purple Parrot · 09-08-2003, 06:36 AM

Thanks v much for the reply and info.

I'm very happy about my beverage holder... it's just a shame a beverage won't fit into it... so ingenuity is required post 94 too!

You also have the advantage of being able to fit rear passengers' feet underneath the seats, on this model they've lowered them.

Glad I sit in the front - hehe

Mark94 · 09-08-2003, 06:59 AM

Definitely don't waste your time with the Chilton's, get the Helms if possible.

As for the lights you need to find brighter bulbs like previously mentioned. PIAA or Polarg are good alternatives. I've got Polargs and they light up the road much better.

As for the immobilizer, none of us here in the states have an immobilizer in the 4th gen. They came standard on the 5th gen but I don't think it was an option on the 4th gen, so most of us here won't know much about it. You car is definitely a harder target for thieves but if a professional wants it they will get it no matter what precautions you take. As far as I know from browsing the 5th gen forum the immobilizer is very effective against car theft but that's not to say your car won't be flat bedded.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

Mark

jsmooney · 09-08-2003, 12:37 PM

you can tell the cultural difference between the posts. i just loved reading your post, purple parrot. you make everyone else sound dumb and youself sophisticated. I wish i could sound like that! But yes - get the helms. If you want a chiltons i'll give you mine for free, but shipping wouldnt be worth it. get a helms, i am about to order one because the Honda people wrote it - the same who designed and built the car. The Si's great, but everyone here loves VTEC. I do not have a cup holder, i wish i did though. I am jealous!

I do not mean any offense by my comment, if you get offended, tell me and i will delete it.

Purple Parrot · 09-08-2003, 01:57 PM

UBetterBelieveThis UBetterBelieveIt... no offence, it'll take more than that

. English was the only exam I passed at school, long time ago mind and I've got by since, and words is kinda what I do - copywriting and proofreading for websites and stuff like that... but when it comes to cars you need the kind of skills that you guys have. I envy all of you!

I would have gone for the VTEC but I had polio when I was a baby and I need to drive an auto so this was the best I could do, as I can't afford a 5th gen VTEC auto. One day hopefully.

I had a look at the Helms site and I reckon I'll order a copy. I'll see if my friend wants one for his as well and try to save on shipping - what generation is the pop-up headlights model? And why did you call mine a "Si" - I've seen that before but didn't realise it meant my model?

Mine IS great - I can't really imagine how much better the VTEC can be (but I'm sure someone will tell me). I know I'm losing a bit being auto but the performance is still awesome... good enough for me til I get used to it anyway.

Gonna try and find some new bulbs now.

Catch ya later and thanks all. . .

preyluder72 · 09-08-2003, 02:01 PM

hey. let me be one of the first to welcome you to our pretty lil site. as stated the helms is much more worth it than chiltons but u can pick up the chiltons book at ne nearby auto store. as for lights, you could get piaa or whatever but for cheaper ones you can just pick up some sylvanias at an auto store. oh... and i have some ghetto un-stock cup holder for my 93, but it does not have the actual spring loaded holder which i need. ok, newho, have fun and peace,
nate

jsmooney · 09-08-2003, 09:49 PM

the model you have, 2.3i, is labeled the Si in US.....

Preludeian · 09-09-2003, 12:40 AM

Chiltons runs off the idea that YOU have a BASIC understanding of how to work on cars. If you know SH*T about cars don't get one, get a helms (aka How to fix a car for Dummies).

Purple Parrot · 09-09-2003, 12:59 AM

That's me Preludeian - you got it in one

I do have my uses though, I'm a very good driver and if the car makes the slightest noise that's unusual I'll know about it - I might even know what it's likely to be, I just won't know how to fix it... until I get my Helms!

I ride a bike too and know sh*t about that as well.

So a Dummies Guide will do me just fine.

Cheers for the welcome guys - I think I'm gonna like it here

pp

CrazieLude · 09-09-2003, 09:57 AM

post some pix if you can. just host them at a place like imagestation.com and then link em over. Congrats on the lude, You'll like it here...there are a bunch of great people on this site.

T

Purple Parrot · 09-09-2003, 03:10 PM

So that's how you post pics - I'll give it a go and see what happens - not til Thursday though cos I'm away til then

cheers for now. . .