2000 HONDA S2000 service

Changing a Flat Tire
ll.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on finger-tight,
then tighten them
in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub.
Do not try to tighten
them
fully.
216 Taking Care of the Unexpected
12.Lower the car to the ground and
remove the jack. 13.Tighten
the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
facility.
Tighten
the wheel nuts to:
80 lbf.ft (1 08 N·m, 11 kgf·m)

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is
ON (II), and go
out after the engine starts.
If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately
turn off
all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C,
cruise control, etc.
Try not to use
other electrically-operated controls
such as
the power windows. Keep
the engine running and take extra
care not to stall
it. Starting the
engine
will discharge the battery
rapidly.
Charging System Indicator
By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before
the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 227

The Brake System Indicator light
comes on when you turn the ignition
ON (II). If the parking brake is not
set, it goes off after you start the
engine.
If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the
parking brake with the engine
running. If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with
the car's
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low fluid level in
the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal.
If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page
170 ) . If the
fluid level is
low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake
pads.
However,
if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because
of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem
in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels.
You will feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you
will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
Brake System Indicator
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because
of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car.
You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible.
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 229

If Your Car Gets Stuck
If your car gets stuck in sand, mud,
or snow, call a towing service to pull
it out (see page
238).
236 Taking Care of the Unexpected
For very short distances, such as
freeing
the car, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on
the anchors in the front and rear
bumpers.
To use the towing hook:
1. Remove the cover from the
bumper.
2. Remove the towing hook, hook
extension and wheel wrench from
the tool box.
3. Using the wheel wrench, fasten
the extension into the bolt hole in
the anchor.

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.

DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Safety Requirements.
All tires are also graded for
treadwear, traction, and temperature
performance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The following
explains these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear
200
TractionAA
Temperature A
246 Technical Information
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara­
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire
graded
150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon
the actual condi­
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations
in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate. Traction
The traction
grades, from highest to
lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specified government
test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning:
The traction grade
assigned to this tire
is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.

Oxygenated Fuels
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol
or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels.
To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and
Canada use oxygenated
fuels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try
to confirm the fuel's contents. Some
states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the
pump.
248 Technical Information
The following are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
EfHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to
10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under
the name "Gasohol."
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to
15 percent MTBE by volume.
MEfHANOL (methyl or wood
alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 5 percent methanol by volume as
long as it also contains cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors to protect
the fuel system. Gasoline containing
more than 5 percent methanol by
volume may cause starting
and/ or
performance problems.
It may also
damage metal, rubber and plastic
parts of your fuel system.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand
of gasoline.
Fuel system damage
or performance
problems resulting from
the use of
an oxygenated fuel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.

Customer Relations Information
Honda dealership personnel are
trained professionals.
They should
be able to answer
all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisfaction, please discuss it with
the dealership's management.
The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost
all
problems are solved in this way.
254 Warranty and Customer Relations
If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Zone Office.
Refer to the U.S. and Canadian Zone
Office
maps on the following pages. When
you call or write, please give
us this information:
• Vehicle Identification Number
(see page 242)
• Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
• Date of purchase
• Mileage on your car
• Your name, address, and tele­
phone number
• A detailed description of the
problem
• N arne of the dealer who sold the
car to you