S2000 2001 Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
....................................... ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
........................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
.................................... 5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .41
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... . 85
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................115
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .129
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................143
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .203
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................213
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................243
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................257
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................263
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Owner's Identification Form
Introductio
n
Congratulation s o n you r selectio n o f th e 200 1 Hond a S2000 . W e ar e certai n
yo u wil l b e please d wit h you r purchas e o f on e o f th e mos t sophisticate d an d
technologically-advance d sport s car s i n th e world .
On e o f th e bes t way s t o enhanc e th e enjoymen t o f you r ne w Hond a is t o
rea d thi s manual . I n it , yo u wil l lear n ho w to operate its drivin g control s an d
convenienc e items . Afterwards , kee p thi s owner' s manua l i n you r ca r s o yo u
ca n refe r t o it a t an y time .
Severa l warrantie s protec t you r ne w Honda . Rea d th e warrant y bookle t
thoroughl y s o yo u understan d th e coverage s an d ar e awar e o f you r right s
an d responsibilities .
Maintainin g you r ca r accordin g to th e schedules given in thi s manua l help s
t o kee p you r drivin g trouble-fre e whil e i t preserve s you r investment . Whe n
you r ca r need s maintenance , kee p in min d tha t you r Hond a dealer' s staf f i s
speciall y traine d in servicin g th e man y system s uniqu e t o you r Honda . You r
Hond a deale r i s dedicate d to you r satisfactio n an d wil l b e please d to answe r
an y question s an d concerns .
Californi a Propositio n 6 5 Warnin g
WARNING : Thi s produc t contain s o r emit s chemical s know n t o th e Stat e o f
Californi a to caus e cance r an d birt h defect s o r othe r reproductiv e harm . A
s yo u rea d thi s manual , yo u wil l
fin d informatio n tha t i s precede d b y
symbol . Thi s
informatio n is intende d t o hel p yo u
avoi d damag e to you r S2000 , othe r
property , o r th e environment .
a
NOTIC E
Importan
t Safet y Precaution s
You'l l fin d man y safet y
recommendation s throughou t thi s
section , an d throughou t thi s manual .
Th e recommendation s o n thi s pag e
ar e th e one s w e conside r t o b e th e
mos t important .
Alway s Wea r You r Sea t Bel t
A sea t bel t i s you r bes t protectio n i n
al l type s o f collisions . Airbag s
supplemen t sea t belts , bu t airbag s
ar e designe d to inflat e onl y i n a
moderat e to sever e fronta l collision .
S o eve n thoug h you r ca r i s equippe d
wit h airbags , mak e sur e yo u an d
you r passenge r alway s wea r you r
sea t belts , an d wea r the m properly .
(Se e pag e 15 ).
You r Ca r i s No t Recommende d
fo r Chil d Passenger s
Sinc e al l childre n ar e safes t i n th e
bac k sea t o f a car , an d you r ca r doe s
no t hav e a bac k seat , w e recommen d
tha t yo u d o no t carr y a chil d
passenger . Due to the passenger's
airbag hazard, you should never
carry an infant in a rear-facing child
seat in this car. I f a smal l chil d wh o
mus t b e restraine d in a forward -
facin g chil d seat , o r a large r child ,
mus t rid e in thi s car , b e sur e t o
follo w al l instruction s an d safety
warning s in thi s manual . (Se e page s
2 6 an d 29 .)
B e Awar e o f Airba g Hazard s
Whil e airbag s ca n sav e lives , the y
ca n caus e seriou s o r fata l injurie s t o
occupant s wh o si t to o clos e t o them ,
o r ar e no t properl y restrained .
Infants , youn g children , an d shor t
adult s ar e a t th e greates t risk . B e
sur e t o follo w al l instruction s an d
warning s i n thi s manual . (Se e pag e
7 ).
Don' t Drin k an d Driv e
Alcoho l an d drivin g don' t mix . Eve n
on e drin k ca n reduc e you r abilit y t o
respon d t o changin g conditions , an d
you r reactio n tim e get s wors e wit h
ever
y additiona l drink . S o don' t drin k
an d drive , an d don' t le t you r friend s
drin k an d drive , either .
Contro l You r Spee d
Excessiv e spee d i s a majo r facto r i n
cras h injurie s an d deaths . Generally ,
th e highe r th e spee d th e greate r th e
risk , bu t seriou s accident s ca n als o
occu r a t lowe r speeds . Neve r driv e
faste r tha n i s saf e fo r curren t
conditions , regardles s o f th e
maximu m spee d posted .
Kee p You r Ca r i n Saf e Conditio n
Havin g a tir e blowou t o r a
mechanica l failur e ca n b e extremel y
hazardous . T o reduc e th e possibilit y
o f suc h problems , chec k you r tir e
pressure s an d conditio n frequently ,
an d perfor m al l regularl y schedule d
maintenance . (Se e pag e 146 .)
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y
Gauge
s
Maintenanc e Require d Indicato r
Thi s indicato r remind s yo u tha t i t i s
tim e t o tak e you r ca r i n fo r
schedule d maintenance .
Refe r t o th e Maintenanc e Schedule s
fo r Norma l an d Sever e Drivin g
Condition s o n page s 148 — 152 Whe
n th e distanc e drive n sinc e th e
las t schedule d maintenanc e reache s
6,00 0 mile s (9,60 0 km) , th e indicato r
start s blinking . I f yo u excee d 7,50 0
mile s (12, 000 km) , th e indicato r
stay s on .
You r deale r wil l rese t th e indicato r
whe n the y perfor m th e schedule d
maintenance . I f someon e els e
perform s th e maintenance , rese t th e
indicato r yourself .
T o rese t th e maintenanc e require d
indicator , tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
th e LOC K position , the n pres s an d
hol d th e tri p mete r rese t butto n
whil e yo u tur n th e ignitio n switc h
ON . Continu e holdin g th e butto n
unti l th e indicato r reset s (th e
indicato r ligh t goe s out) .
Instruments an d Control s
MAINTENANC
E REQUIRE D INDICATO R
Maintenanc
e
Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d to follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f
yourself .
I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 26 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc
e Safety...................... . 14 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 14 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 14 6
Require d Maintenanc e Record... . 15 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 15 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 15 6
Engin e Oil...................................... . 15 7
Addin g Oil.................................. . 15 7
Recommende d Oil.................... . 15 7
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 15 8
Additives.................................... . 15 8
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 15 9
Cooling System............................. . 16 1
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 1
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 16 3
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 16 7
6-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Fluid........................................... . 16 8
Differentia l Fluid.......................... . 16 9
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 17 0
Brak e Fluid................................. 170
Brak e System............................ . 17 0
Clutc h System........................... . 17 1
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 2
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4 Spar
k Plugs.................................... . 17 4
Replacement.............................. . 17 4
Specifications............................ . 17 6
Battery........................................... . 17 7
Wipe r Blades................................. . 18 0
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 18 2
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 18 3
Driv e Belt....................................... . 18 4
Tires............................................... . 18 5
Inflation....................................... 185
Inspection.................................. . 18 7
Maintenance.............................. . 18 8
Tir e Rotation............................. . 18 8
Tir e Wear................................... . 18 8
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s ... . 18 9
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 19 0
Winte r Driving.......................... . 19 0
Sno w Tires............................. . 19 1
Tir e Chains............................ . 19 1
Lights............................................. . 19 2
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 19 4
Storin g You r Car........................... . 20 2
Maintenanc e
Maintenanc
e Safet y
Regularl y maintainin g you r ca r i s th e
bes t wa y t o protec t you r investment .
Prope r maintenanc e i s essentia l t o
you r safet y an d th e safety of you r
passengers . I t wil l als o rewar d yo u
wit h mor e economical , trouble-fre e
drivin g an d hel p reduc e ai r pollution .Thi
s sectio n include s instruction s fo r
simpl e maintenanc e tasks , suc h a s
checkin g an d addin g oil . An y servic e
item s no t detaile d i n thi s sectio n
shoul d b e performe d b y a Hond a
technicia n o r othe r qualifie d
mechanic . Som
e o f th e mos t importan t safet y
precaution s ar e give n here . However ,
w e canno t war n yo u o f ever y
conceivabl e hazar d tha t ca n aris e i n
performin g maintenance . Onl y yo u
ca n decid e whethe r o r no t yo u
shoul d perfor m a give n task .
Maintenanc e
Improperl
y maintainin g thi s ca r
o r failin g t o correc t a proble m
befor e drivin g ca n caus e a
cras h in whic h yo u ca n b e
seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e inspectio n
an d maintenanc e
recommendation s an d
schedule s i n thi s owner' s
manual . Failur
e t o properl y follo w
maintenanc e instruction s an d
precaution s ca n caus e yo u t o
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e procedure s
an d precaution s i n thi s owner' s
manual .
Differentia
l Flui d
Chec k th e flui d leve l wit h th e
differentia l a t norma l operatin g
temperatur e an d th e vehicl e sittin g
o n leve l ground . Remov e the
differentia l flui d fille r bol l an d
washe r an d carefull y fee l insid e th e
bol t hol e wit h you r finger . Th e flui d
leve l shoul d b e u p to th e edg e o f th e
bol t hole . I f i t i s not , slowl y ad d flui d
unti l i t start s t o ru n ou t o f the hole . Us
e a SA E 9 0 viscosit y hypoi d gea r
oil , AP I servic e classifie d GL 5 o r
GL 6 only , i n th e differential .
Pu t a ne w washe r o n th e fille r bolt ,
the n reinstal l th e fille r bolt . Tighte n
i t securely . Tightenin g torque :
33 lbf .
ft (45N .
m , 4.6 kgf .
m )
Th e differentia l shoul d b e draine d
an d refille d wit h ne w flui d accordin g
t o th e tim e an d distanc e
recommendation s i n th e
maintenanc e schedule .
Maintenance
FILLE
R BOL T
CORREC T LEVE L
Inde
x
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator... 44, 22 8
Lubrican t Specification s Chart... . 24 6
Luggage......................................... . 12 4
Maintenance.................................. . 14 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks... . 15 5
Record........................................ . 15 3
Schedule.................................... . 14 6
Maintenanc e Require d Indicator.. . 4 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp. 45, 23 0
Manua l Transmission................... . 13 3
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d ........ . 16 8
Meters , Gauges............................... . 4 7
Methano l i n Gasoline................... . 25 0
Mirrors , Adjusting.......................... . 8 0
Ne w Vehicl e Break-i n .................. . 11 6
Norma l Shif t Speeds..................... . 13 4
NOTICE , Explanatio n of.................. . i i
Numbers , Identification............... . 24 4 Octan
e Requirement , Gasoline... . 11 6
Odometer......................................... . 4 8
Odometer , Trip............................... . 4 8
Oi l
Change , Ho w to ........................ . 15 9
Change , Whe n to...................... . 14 6
Checkin g Engine...................... . 11 9
Pressur e Indicator.............. . 44 , 22 8
Selectin g Prope r Viscosit y
Chart...................................... . 15 8
O N (Ignitio n Ke y Position)........... . 6 1
Openin g th e Trunk......................... . 6 6
Operatio n i n Foreig n Countries.. . 25 1
Outsid e Mirrors.............................. . 8 0
Overheating , Engine.................... . 22 5
Oxygenate d Fuels......................... . 25 0
Pain t Touch-up.............................. . 20 6
Pane l Brightnes s Control.............. . 5 2
Parkin g Brake................................. . 8 1
Parkin g Lights................................. . 5 1
PGM-F I System............................. . 25 3 Polishin
g an d Waxing.................. . 20 5
Powe r
Doo r Locks.................................. . 6 2
Engine , Specifications.............. . 24 6
Mirrors......................................... . 8 0
Windows...................................... . 7 0
Pregnancy , Usin g Sea t Belts......... . 1 7
Protectin g Adults............................ . 1 2
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 1 8
Advic e fo r Pregnan t Women..... . 1 7
Protectin g Children........................ . 1 9
Protectin g Large r Children....... . 2 9
Protectin g Smal l Children......... . 2 6
Radiato r Overheating................... . 22 5
Radi o Soun d System....................... . 9 4
Readines s Codes........................... . 25 5
Rea r Lights , Bulb Replacement.. . 19 8
Rea r Vie w Mirror............................ . 8 0
Reclinin g th e Seat-backs................ . 6 9
Recommende d Shif t Speed s ....... . 13 4
CONTINUED