1998 Honda Prelude Owner's Manual - Page 142

Automatic Transmission Second (2) - This position locks the transmission in second gear. It does not downshift to first gear when you come to a stop. Second gives you more power when climbing, and increased engine braking when going down steep hills. Use second gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow. It will help reduce wheelspin. First (1) With the lever in this position, the transmission locks in First gear. If you shift into First position when the vehicle speed exceeds 31 mph (50 km/h), the transmission shifts into Second gear first to avoid the application of the sudden engine brake. Maximum Allowable Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximum allowable speeds in each position. If you exceed these speeds, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. If this occurs, you will 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 vehicle will not exceed the maximum allowable speed in the chart in the lower gear to avoid engine damage. Driving