2002 HONDA S2000 engine

These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn of f the f an (no lights
illuminated).
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
91

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period . 122
.........................................
Gasoline . 122
.........
Service Station Procedures . 123
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 123
....................
Opening the Hood . 124
...............................
Oil Check . 125
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 126
...............................
Fuel Economy . 127
............................
Car Condition . 127
...........................
Driving Habits . 127
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 128
................................
Accessories . 128
............................
Modif ications . 129
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 129
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 130
.....................
General Precautions . 133
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving 121

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not exceed 5,500 rpm f or the
f irst 600 miles (1,000 km) of
operation.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
If you are unable to f ind premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate f or the
lower octane, but you may notice a
slight decrease in power as a result.
Your Honda is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Gasoline
122

Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
on the knob on the driver’s door
jamb.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
123
PPuullll
FFUUEELLFFIILLLLCCAAPP
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the f ront of the hood around the
center.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly
to remove the support rod f rom
the hole. Put the support rod back
into its holding clip. Lower the
hood to about a f oot (30 cm) above
the fender, then let it drop.
After closing the hood, make sure
it is securely latched.Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (black
handle). Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
1.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving125
DDIIPPSSTTIICCKK

Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
informationonaddingtheproper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
3.
4.
163 167
161
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving A dding Oil
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
126
UUPPPPEERRMMAARRKK
LLOOWWEERRMMAARRKK

You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try tocombine several short trips into one.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. 161 Driving Habits
Car Condition
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
127

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual transmission. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your car, and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive . 136
.......................
Starting the Engine . 137
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude . 138
....
6-speed Manual Transmission . 139
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 140
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 140
.......................
Reverse Lockout . 140
...........................................
Parking . 141
.....................
The Braking System . 142
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 142
...............
Brake System Design . 143
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes . 143
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders . 144
........................
ABS Indicator . 145
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 146
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 147
Driving
Driving 135