HondaPrelude1995Overview/honda/prelude/1995/base/

1995 Honda Prelude

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Prelude.

The 1995 Honda Prelude requires 4 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil, a spec that underscores the model's no-nonsense mechanical character. Owner data shows nine total complaints for the year, with latches, locks, and linkages leading the categories, alongside five recalls — a tally that positions this model year comfortably below the generation's 1997 peak of 74 complaints and just above the 1990 baseline of four across the 1990–2006 span. That mid-low complaint volume suggests the 1995 Prelude captured a reliability sweet spot before issues escalated later in the production run.

Model year200120001999199819971996199519941993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size185-70HR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height50.8 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2932 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prelude of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 1995 VTEC Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995VTEC Coupe 2.2L I-46.70 sec15.10 sec190 hpFWD
1993Si VTEC Coupe 2.2L I-46.30 sec14.60 sec190 hpFWD
1993Si VTEC Coupe 2.2L I-46.70 sec15.20 sec190 hpFWD
1997Type SH Coupe 2.2L I-46.90 sec15.40 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type SH Coupe 2.2L I-47.20 sec15.60 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type SH Coupe 2.2L I-47.20 sec15.60 sec195 hpFWD
1992Si Coupe 2.3L I-47.20 sec15.60 sec160 hpFWD
1999Type SH Coupe (used) 2.2L I-47.00 sec15.50 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustabel degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.435 lbs
Oil TypeSP-10
Oil Capacity4.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature172 °F
Engine Compression135-178. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure50 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 28 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.905 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.905 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
378 ft. lbs.78 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep If using old bolts:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2180 degrees; If using new bolts:180 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2270

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miParking Brake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miBrake Line (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 90,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1995 Honda Prelude lead in one area — the latches/locks/linkages, 2 of 9 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 5 recall campaigns target the latches/locks/linkages, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the latches/locks/linkages pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
16
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Air Bags2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E060000Exterior LightingReported 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 16 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
0601032003-06-01Engine And Engine CoolingVEHICLE'S EMISSION TYPE. *TT
0104022002-04-01Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES BRIEFLY WHEN…
3022002-03-16Engine And Engine CoolingCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT
59052002-02-14SuspensionCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A TWANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDS LIKE A…
010702001-08-07Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING PARTS TO CORRECT 5TH GEAR GRINDING. *ET

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prelude. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 Prelude take?

4 qt of ABOVE -4 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 32 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 Prelude have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.