Honda Repair: Getting the car in gear, brake master cylinder, clutch fluid

Question
I have a 1988 Honda Prelude with a manual transmission.  For the past week, I've had problems getting it in gear.  If I turn off the motor, it goes into gear.  I'm afraid to drive it now because I don't want to get stuck with no gears... Could it be as simple as needing transmission fluid?  The car has 162,000 miles.

Answer
Juadine, you probably have a clutch issue. Is it just hard to get in first gear at a stop? After you take off does it shift smoothly through all other gears O.K. or is it hard to up-shift as well(grinding). To check the fluid in the trans there's a fill plug(17mm) just above the drain plug(3/8 drive)on the right side of the trans. Make sure vehicle is on level ground. Remove the fill plug and place your finger inside, if you feel fluid its full if not you need to add some. Check the clutch fluid level at the firewall next to the brake master cylinder(looks like a small brake master cylinder) Maybe you have a hydraulic clutch fluid leak and there's air in the system causing the clutch to not fully disengage when you depress the clutch pedal. Check all that and if everything checks out, let me know, RICK