2000 HONDA S2000 engine overheat

The manual transmission is synchro­
nized
in all forward gears for smooth
operation.
It has a lockout so you
cannot shift directly from Fifth to
Reverse instead of sixth (see page
134). When shifting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shifting,
do not
rest your foot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause your clutch to wear
out faster.
6-speed Manual Transmission
Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse.
You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the car moving.
Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause for
a few seconds before shifting into
Reverse, or shift into one of the
forward gears for a moment. This
stops the gears so they won't
"grind."
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone
in the
lower gear.
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause
loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving
on
slippery surfaces.
Driving 133

Spark Plugs
I NOTICE I
Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads
in the cylinder head.
7. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the bolt.
8. Repeat this procedure for the
other three spark plugs.
9. Reinstall the cover on the cylinder
bank. Reinstall the four hexagon
socket head cap bolts.
176 Maintenance
Specifications:
NGK:
DENSO:
PFR7G-11S
PK22PR-L 11S
Spark Plug Gap:
0.043 in ~g004in(1.1 mm •g1mm)

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more­
common problems
that motorists
experience with their vehicles.
It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to
do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact
Spare Tire .......................
212
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213
If Your Engine Won't Start ........... 218
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor
Operates
Very
Slowly ......................... 218
The Starter Operates
Normally ................................. 219
Jump Starting ................................. 220
If Your Engine Overheats ............. 223
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .......... 226
Charging System Indicator.. .........
227
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 228
Brake System Indicator ................ 229
Closing the Convertible Top ........ 230
Fuses ............................................... 231
Checking and Replacing ........... 232
If Your Car Gets Stuck. ................. 236
Emergency Towing ....................... 238
Taking Care of the Unexpected 211

The reading on your car's
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
It may go higher if you are driving up
a long steep hill on a very
hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine
the reason.
NOTICE
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading
at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
Your car can overheat for several
reasons,
such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem.
The only
indication may be
the temperature
gauge climbing to or above
the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from
under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you
should take immediate action.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral
and
set the parking brake. Turn
off the heating and cooling system
and all
other accessories. Turn on
the hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/ or spray
coming from
under the hood, turn
off
the engine.
If Your Engine Overheats
3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave
the engine running and
watch
the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with
the A/C running, for
example),
the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera­
ture gauge comes down to
the mid­
point
then continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs
of
steam or spray, then open the
hood.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected 223

If Your Engine Overheats
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution.
If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
Emergency
Towing on page 238 ) .
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the
coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator
cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
224 Taking Care of the Unexpected
7. If you don't find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in
the
radiator reserve tank (see page
120 ) . If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and
MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
before checking the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn
the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to
the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure
in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.

lO.Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck.
If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
ll.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge.
If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)
If Your Engine Overheats
12.If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank.
If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Taking Care of the Unexpected 225

Index
D In Bad Weather. ......................... 140 Malfunction Indicator
In Foreign Countries .................
249 Lamp ................................. 45, 228
DANGER, Explanation of.. ............... ii Oil Pressure Indicator ......... 44, 226
Dashboard ........................................
42 E Oil, What Kind to Use ............... 157
Daytime Running Lights ................. 52 Overheating ................................ 223
Dead Battery, What to Do ............ 220 Economy, Fuel ............................... 121 Specifications ............................. 244
Defects, Reporting
Safety ............. 258 Emergencies on the Road ............. 211 Engine Cover, Opening the .......... 118
Defrosting
the Windows ................. 91 Battery, Jump Starting .............. 220 Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 248
Dimensions ..................................... 244 Changing
a Flat Tire .................
213 Evaporative Emission Controls .... 250
Dimming the Headlights ................ 51 Charging System Indicator ...... 227 Exhaust Fumes ................................ 39
Dipstick Checking the Fuses ................... 232 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Engine Oil.. ................................. 119 Closing the Convertible Top .... 230 Belts by ......................................... 17
Directional Signals ........................... 53 Low Oil Pressure Indicator ...... 226 Exterior,
Cleaning the ................... 204
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ...... 238 Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 228
Disc Brake
Wear Indicators ......... 136 Overheated Engine ................... 223 F
Disposal of Used Oil.. .................... 160 Emergency Brake ............................ 80
Do Not Tow a Trailer .................... 141 Emergency Flashers ....................... 79 Fabric, Cleaning ............................. 207
Doors Emission
Controls ......................... 250 Fan, Interior ...................................... 86
Locking and Unlocking ............... 62 Engine Features, Comfort and
Monitor Light.. .............................
45 Check Engine Light ............ 45, 228 Convenience
................................. 85
Power Door Locks ....................... 62 Compartment, Checking Filling the Fuel Tank ..................... 117
DOT Tire Quality Grading ........... 246
in the ....................................... 118
Downshifting, 6-speed Manual Coolant ........................................ 120
Transmission .............................. 134 Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 4 7
Driving ............................................
129 Drive Belt. ................................... 184
Economy ..................................... 121 CONTINUED
Ill

Index
Opening the Hood ......................... 118 Protecting Small Children .......... 26 Replacing Seat Belts After a
Opening the Trunk .......................... 66 Crash ............................................. 34
Operation in Foreign Countries
... 249 R Restraint, Child ................................ 19
Outside Mirrors ............................... 79 Rotation, Tire ................................. 188
Overheating, Engine ..................... 223 Radiator Overheating .................... 223
Oxygenated Fuels .......................... 248 Radio Sound System ........................ 94 s
Rear End Towing ........................... 238 p Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement ... 198 Safety Belts ......................................... 8
Rear
View Mirror ............................. 79 Safety Defects, Reporting ............. 258
Paint Touch-up ............................... 206 Reclining the Seat-backs ................. 68 Safety Labels, Location of .............. 40
Panel Brightness Control ............... 52 Recommended Shift Speeds ........ 134 Safety Messages ................................ ii
Parking Brake .................................. 80 Recovery Vehicle, Emergency Seat Belt, Additional Information .. 33
Parking Lights .................................. 51 Towing ........................................ 238 Lap/Shoulder Belt ....................... 33
PGM-FI System .............................. 251 Reminder Lights .............................. 43 Seat Belt Maintenance ................ 34
Polishing and Waxing ...................
205 Remote Transmitter ........................ 63 Seat Belt System Components ... 33
Power Replacement Information Seat Belts ............................................ 8
Door Locks ...................................
62 Air Cleaner ................................. 172 Cleaning ...................................... 207
Engine, Specifications ............... 244 Engine
Coolant.. ......................... 163 Maintenance ................................. 34
Mirrors .......................................... 79 Engine Oil and Filter ................. 159 Reminder Light and Beeper ....... 44
Windows ....................................... 69 Fuses ........................................... 232 System Components .................... 33
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .......... 17 Light Bulbs ................................. 194 Use During Pregnancy ................ 17
Protecting Adults ............................. 12 Schedule ..................................... 146 Seats, Adjusting the ......................... 68
Additional Safety Precautions .... 18 Spark Plugs ................................. 17 4
Serial Number ................................ 242
Advice for Pregnant Women ...... 17 Tires ............................................ 189 Service Intervals ............................ 146
Protecting Children .........................
19 Wiper Blades .............................. 180 Service Manual .............................. 259
Protecting Larger Children ........
29 Service Station Procedures .......... 117
VI