2000 HONDA S2000 Type

Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as
the original tires. Mount snow
tires on
all four wheels to balance
your vehicle's handling in all weather
conditions. Keep
in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your vehicle's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda­
tions.
Tire Chains
Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only
SAE Class "S"
cable-type traction devices on the
rear tires.
Use traction devices only
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size for your tires.
Metal link-type
"chains" should not
be used.
No matter how tight they
seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.
When installing
the cables, follow
the manufacturer's instructions and
mount
them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with them installed.
If
you hear them coming in contact
with the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Make sure the cables are
installed tightly, and
that they are
not contacting the brake lines
or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
you start driving on cleared roads.
Tires
NOTICE
Cables that are the wrong size or
improperly installed can damage your ·
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving (l they are hitting
any part
of the car.
Maintenance 191

Lights
Check the following:
• Headlights (low and high beam)
• Parking lights
• Taillights
• Brake lights
• Turn signals
• Back-up lights
• Hazard light function
• License plate light
• Side marker lights
• Daytime running lights
(Canadian cars)
If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace
them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page
245 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Maintenance 193

Lights
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in
the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself.
If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
car to your dealer to have it replaced.
194 Maintenance
Halogen bulbs are used for the high
beam headlight bulbs.
When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects.
If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
NOTICE
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when
lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Waxing
Always wash and dry the whole car
before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on
the surface
in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing. You
should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes - A wax coats the finish and
protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.
Exterior Care
Polishes -Polishes and cleaner I
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine.
They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You
should use a polish on your Honda
if
the finish does not have its original
shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even
if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Appearance Care 205

Carpeting
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to
remove dirt. Ground-in dirt
will make
the carpet wear out faster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new.
Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the
market. Follow the instructions
that
come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge
or soft brush. Keep
the carpeting as dry as possible by
not adding water to the foam.
Fabric
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the
material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soap
and lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a
commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric
first, to make sure it does not bleach
or stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions
that come with the
cleaner.
Vinyl
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe
the vinyl with a soft
cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water.
Use the same
solution with a soft-bristle
brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray
or
foam-type vinyl cleaners.
Leather
Vacuum dirt and dust from the
leather frequently. Pay particular
attention to the pleats and seams.
Clean the leather with a soft cloth
dampened with clear water,
then
buff it with a clean, dry cloth. If
further cleaning is needed, use a
soap specifically for leather, such as
saddle soap. Apply this soap with a
damp, soft cloth. Wipe down and
buff as described above.
Interior Care
Rear Window
Clean the rear window with either
clean water or a mild
detergent/
water solution and a soft, damp cloth.
Never use a brush or dry cloth, and
do not use any harsh chemicals or
abrasive cleaners. You
will damage
the window.
Polish the rear window periodically
with a
commerCially available plastic
polish made especially for
convertible rear windows.
Seat Belts
If your seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye,
or
cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air­
dry before you use
the car.
Appearance Care 207

Interior Care, Corrosion Protection
Windows
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass
cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water.
This will remove the haze that
builds up on the inside of the
windows.
Use a soft cloth or paper
towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
208 Appearance Care
Air Fresheners
If you want to use an air freshener I
deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type.
Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi­
cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack or
discolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it
does not spill as you drive.
Corrosion Protection
Two factors normally contribute to
causing corrosion
in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirt and road salt
that collects in
hollows on the underside of the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion
in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective
coatings from
the exterior and
underside of the car.

Emergency Towing
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or,
if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain.
It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular types of
professional towing equipment.
238 Taking Care of the Unexpected
Flat-bed Equipment -The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
This is the only way your
S2000 should be transported.
When you contact the towing agency,
inform
them that you have an S2000
and that a flat-bed is required.
Wheel Lift Equipment -The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Because
the
S2000 sits so low, the body could
come
in contact with the ground and
be damaged.
This method of
towing is unacceptable.

Sling-type Equipment -The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends.
These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension
and body can
be seriously damaged.
This method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency Towing
Taking Care of the Unexpected 239