2002 HONDA S2000 maintenance

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. Remove the engine oil f ill cap.
Remove the oil drain bolt from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
1. 2.
3. 4.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance165
WWAASSHHEERROOIILLDDRRAAIINNBBOOLLTTOOIILLFFIILLTTEERR

Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turnthe heater temperature control
dial f ully clockwise. Turn the
ignition of f .
Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain
bolt and washer f rom the engine
block.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
1. 2. 3.4.
CONT INUED
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
169
DDRRAAIINNBBOOLLTT
DDRRAAIINNPPLLUUGG

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
Maint enance
6-speed Manual T ransmission Fluid
174
FFIILLLLEERRBBOOLLTT
CCOORRRREECCTTLLEEVVEELL

Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole. UseaSAE90viscosityhypoidgear
oil, API service classif ied GL5 or
GL6 only, in the dif f erential.
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
175
FFIILLLLEERRBBOOLLTT
CCOORRRREECCTTLLEEVVEELL33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are two reser-
voirs. They are:
Brake f luid reservoir
Clutch f luid reservoir
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.Brake System
Brake Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
176
MMAAXX
MMIINN

To replace it:
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Unsnap the six clamps holding the
air cleaner housing cover.
Remove the air cleaner housing
cover. Disconnect the air intake
duct f rom the air cleaner element.Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
1. 2.3.4.
Replacement
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance
178
AAIIRRCCLLEEAANNEERREELLEEMMEENNTTCCLLAAMMPPSS

The spark plugs in your car are a
special platinum-tipped design f or
longer lif e. They only need to be
replaced every 7 years or 105,000
miles (168,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer. Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Remove the four hexagon socket
head cap bolts holding the ignition
coil cover.
1. 2.
ReplacementSpark Plugs
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
180
PPIIVVOOTTSS

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
Battery
Maint enance
184 The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.