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
Drivin
g
Thi s sectio n give s yo u tip s o n
startin g th e engin e unde r variou s
conditions , an d ho w to operat e th e
manua l transmission . I t als o include s
importan t informatio n o n parkin g
you r car , an d th e brakin g system . Preparin
g to Drive........................ . 13 0
Startin g th e Engine....................... . 13 1
Startin g i n Col d Weathe r
a t Hig h Altitud e .................... . 13 2
6-spee d Manua l Transmission.... . 13 3
Recommende d Shif t Points..... . 13 4
Engin e Spee d Limite r .............. . 13 4
Revers e Lockout....................... . 13 4
Parking........................................... . 13 5
Th e Brakin g System..................... . 13 6
Brak e Wea r Indicators............. . 13 6
Brak e Syste m Design............... . 13 7
Anti-loc k Brakes....................... . 13 7
Importan t Safet y
Reminders......................... . 13 8
AB S Indicator........................ . 13 9
Drivin g in Ba d Weather............... . 14 0
Towin g a Trailer........................... . 14 1
Drivin g
Identificatio
n Number s
Th e Engin e Numbe r i s stampe d o n
th e lef t fron t corne r o f th e engin e
block .
Th e Transmissio n Numbe r i s o n a
labe l underneat h th e transmission .
TRANSMISSIO
N NUMBE R
ENGINE NUMBE R
Technica l Informatio n
Inde
x
Changin g Oi l
Ho w to........................................ . 15 9
Whe n to...................................... . 14 6
Changin g a Fla t Tir e .................... . 21 5
Changin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 3
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ... 44 , 22 9
Chec k Engin e Eight............... 45, 23 0
Checklist , Befor e Driving............ . 13 0
Chil d Safety.................................... 19
Chil d Seats....................................... . 2 2
Cleaner , Air................................... . 17 2
Cleaning......................................... . 20 3
Aluminu m Wheels.................... . 20 6
Carpeting................................... . 20 7
Exterior...................................... . 20 4
Floo r Mats................................. . 20 7
Interior....................................... . 20 7
Leather....................................... . 20 8
Sea t Belts................................. 20 8
Vinyl........................................... . 20 8
Windows.................................... . 20 9
Clutc h Fluid................................... . 17 1
C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 25 2
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 13 2
Compac t Spar e Tire...................... . 21 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. . 4 1 Covertibl
e Top................................ . 7 2
Convertibl e To p Cover............... . 7 7
Eowerin g th e Convertibl e Top.. . 7 2
Maintenance................................ . 7 8
Raisin g th e Covertibl e Top........ . 7 5
Coolan t
Adding........................................ . 16 1
Checking.................................... . 12 0
Prope r Solution......................... . 16 1
Temperatur e Gauge................... . 4 7
Corrosio n Protection.................... . 20 9
Crankcas e Emissio n Contro l
System....................................... 252
Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 5 5
Custome r Relation s
Information................................ . 25 8
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . i i
Dashboard....................................... . 4 2
Daytim e Runnin g Eights................ 52
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 26 2
Defrostin g th e Windows................ 91
Dimensions.................................... . 24 6
Dimmin g th e Headlight s ............... . 5 1
Dipstic
k
Engin e Oil.................................. . 11 9
Directiona l Signals.......................... 53
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 13 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 16 0
D o No t To w aTrailer................... . 14 1
Door s
Eockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 6 2
Monito r Eight.............................. . 4 5
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 6 2
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 24 8
Downshifting , 6-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 13 4
Driving........................................... . 12 9
Economy.................................... . 12 1
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 14 0
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 25 1
Economy , Fuel.............................. . 12 1
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 21 3
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 22 2
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 21 5
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ..... . 22 9
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 23 5
Inde
x
Closin g th e Convertibl e Top... . 23 3
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 22 8
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lam p ... . 23 0
Overheate d Engine.................. . 22 5
Emergenc y Brake........................... . 8 1
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 8 0
Emergenc y Trun k Opener............ . 6 7
Emission s Controls....................... . 25 2
Emission s Testing , Stat e ............. . 25 5
Engin e
Chec k Engin e Light........... .45 , 23 0
Compartment , Checkin g
i n the....................................... 118
Coolant....................................... . 12 0
Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 4 7
Driv e Belt................................... . 18 4
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ 45, 23 0
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ . 44 , 22 8
Oil , Wha t Kin d t o Use.............. . 15 7
Overheating............................... . 22 5
Specifications............................ . 24 6
Spee d Limiter............................ . 13 4
Starting....................................... . 13 1
Engin e Cover , Openin g the......... . 11 8
Ethano l i n Gasolin e ...................... . 25 0 Evaporativ
e Emissio n Controls... . 25 2
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 3 9
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 1 7
Exterior , Cleanin g the.................. . 20 4
Fabric , Cleaning............................ . 20 8
Fan , Interior..................................... . 8 6
Features , Comfor t an d
Convenience................................ . 8 5
Fillin g th e Fue l Tank.................... . 11 7
Filter s
Oil................................................ 159
Flashers , Hazar d Warning............. . 8 0
Fla t Tire , Changin g a................... . 21 5
Fluid s
Brake........................................... 170
Clutch.......................................... 171
Manua l Transmission.............. . 16 8
Windshiel d Washer.................. . 16 7
F M Stere o Radi o Reception........ . 10 3
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... . 25 1
Four-wa y Flashers.......................... . 8 0
Fuel..................................................
116
Fil l Doo r an d Cap...................... . 11 7
Gauge........................................... . 4 8
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 6
Oxygenated............................... . 25 0
Reserv e Indicator........................ . 4 6
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 7
Fue l Mileage , Improving.............. . 12 1
Fue l Statio n Procedure s .............. . 11 7
Fuses , Checkin g the..................... . 23 5
Gasohol.......................................... . 25 0
Gasoline......................................... . 11 6
Fue l Reserv e Indicator............... . 4 6
Gauge........................................... . 4 8
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 6
Oxygenate d Fuels..................... . 25 0
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 7
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Gauges............................................. . 4 7
Engin e Coolan t Temperatur e ... . 4 7
Fuel............................................... . 4 8
Speedometer............................... . 4 7
Tachometer................................. . 4 7
Gearshif t Leve r Position s
6-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 3
Glas s Cleaning.............................. . 20 9
Haloge n Headligh t Bulbs............. . 19 4
Hazar d Warnin g Flashers.............. . 8 0
Headlight s
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 5 2
Hig h Bea m Indicator.................. . 4 6
Reminde r Tone........................... . 5 1
Replacin g Haloge n Bulb s ........ . 19 4
Turnin g on................................... . 5 1
Heatin g an d Coolin g System......... . 8 6
Hig h Altitude , Startin g at............. . 13 2
High-Lo w Bea m Switc h ................. . 5 1
Hig h Speed , Shiftin g at................ . 13 4
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Hood , Openin g th e ....................... . 11 8
Jum
p Starting................................ . 22 2
Keys.................................................. . 5 8
Label , Certification....................... . 24 4
Lan e Change , Signaling................. . 5 3
Lap/Shoulde r Belts........................ . 3 3
Leather , Cleaning......................... . 20 8
Light s
Bul b Replacement.................... . 19 4
Indicator....................................... . 4 3
Tur n Signal................................ . 19 6
Loadin g Cargo............................... . 12 4
LOC K (Ignitio n Ke y Position)...... . 6 0
Lock s
Anti-thef t Steerin g Column....... . 6 0
Fue l Fil l Door............................ . 11 7
Powe r Door................................. . 6 2
Trunk........................................... . 6 6
Lo w Coolan t Level........................ . 12 0
Lowe r Gear , Downshiftin g to a... . 13 4
Lo w Fue l Indicato r ......................... . 4 6
Hydrauli
c Clutch........................... . 17 1
Hydroplaning................................. . 14 1
Identificatio n Number ,
Vehicle....................................... . 24 4
Ignitio n
Keys............................................. 58
Switch........................................... . 6 0
Timin g Contro l System............ . 25 3
Indicato r Lights , Instrumen t
Panel............................................ 43
Inflation , Prope r Tir e ................... . 18 5
Insid e Mirror................................... . 8 0
Inspection , Tire............................. . 18 7
Instrumen t Panel............................ . 4 2
Instrumen t Pane l Brightness........ . 5 2
Interio r Cleaning........................... . 20 7
Interio r Lights................................. . 8 3
Introduction........................................ . i
Jackin g U p th e Car....................... . 21 6
Jack , Tire....................................... . 21 5
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
Inde
x
Recover y Vehicle , Emergenc y
Towing....................................... . 24 1
Reminde r Lights............................. 43
Remot e Transmitter....................... . 6 3
Replacemen t Informatio n
Ai r Cleaner................................ . 17 2
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 16 3
Engin e Oi l an d Filter................ . 15 9
Fuses.......................................... . 23 5
Eigh t Bulbs................................ . 19 4
Schedule.................................... . 14 6
Spar k Plugs................................ . 17 4
Tires........................................... . 18 9
Wipe r Blades............................. . 18 0
Replacin g Sea t Belt s Afte r a
Crash............................................. 34
Restraint , Child............................... . 1 9
Rotation , Tire................................ . 18 8
Safet y Belts....................................... 8
Safet y Defects , Reporting............ . 26 2
Safet y Labels , Locatio n of............. . 40
Safet y Messages............................... . i i
Sea
t Belts........................................... . 8
Additiona l information............... . 3 3
Advic e fo r pregnan t Women..... . 1 7
Cleaning.................................... 208
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 3 3
Maintenance................................ . 3 4
Reminde r Eigh t an d Beeper...... . 4 4
Syste m Components................... . 3 3
Us e Durin g Pregnancy............... . 1 7
Seats , Adjustin g the........................ . 6 9
Seria l Number............................... . 24 4
Servic e Intervals........................... . 14 6
Servic e Manual............................. . 26 3
Servic e Statio n Procedure s ......... . 11 7
Shiftin g
Th e 6-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 3
Sid e Marke r Eights , Bul b
Replacemen t in......................... . 19 6
Signalin g Turns............................... . 5 3
6-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Checkin g Flui d Level.............. . 16 8
Shiftin g the................................ . 13 3
Sno w Tires..................................... . 19 1
Solvent-typ e Cleaners................... . 20 4
Soun d System.................................. . 9 4
Spar
e Tir e
Inflating....................................... 214
Specifications............................ . 24 7
Spar k Plugs , Replacing................ . 17 4
Specification s Charts.................... . 24 6
Spee d Control.................................. 55
Speedometer................................... . 4 7
SRS , Additiona l Information.......... . 3 5
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 3 8
Ho w th e Automati c Sea t Bel t
Tensioner s Work.................... . 3 7
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r
Works....................................... 37
Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 3 5
SR S Components........................ . 3 5
SR S Service.................................. . 3 8
SR S Indicato r Light.................. 37, 4 5
Startin g th e Engine....................... . 13 1
I n Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude.................................. . 13 2
Wit h a Dea d Batter y ................ . 22 2
Stat e Emission s Testing.............. . 25 5
Stea m Comin g fro m Engine........ . 22 5
Steerin g Whee l
Anti-thef t Colum n Lock............. . 6 0
Stere o Soun d Syste m ..................... . 9 4