2003 HONDA S2000 Owners Manual

When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ). Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
Bef ore installing any accessory: However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation
of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has genuine Honda
accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved f or your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
239
127
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving126
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Do not attach or place objects on the
airbag covers. Any object attached to
or placed on the covers marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG,’’ in the center of the
steering wheel and on top of the
dashboard, could interf ere with the
proper operation of the airbags. Or,
if the airbags inf late, the objects
could be propelled inside the car and
hurt someone.
Some examples are:
Lowering the vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to impact speed
bumps or other raised objects,
which could cause the airbags to
deploy.
Raising the vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult with your Honda dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability. Modif ications
Additional Saf ety Precaution
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving127

Your car has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The upper and lower console
compartments are designed for small,
lightweight items. The trunk is
intended f or larger, heavier items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your car’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo
128
UPPER AND LOWER CONSOLE
COMPARTMENTSTRUNK

·µ
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
The maximum load limit f or your car
is 400 lbs (185 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories
weight. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passenger f rom 400
lbs (185 kg).
For example, if there will be two 150
lbs(70kg)occupantsinyourcar,the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs (45
kg).
2 150 lbs (70 kg) = 300 lbs (140
kg)
400 lbs (185 kg) 300 lbs (140 kg) =
100 lbs (45 kg)
Following are the steps f or
determining the correct cargo and
luggage load limit.
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 400 lbs
(185 kg)’’ on your car’s placard (on
the driver’s doorjamb).
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passenger that
will be riding in your car. (Two is
the seating capacity of your car.) Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4 [100
lbs(45kg)inthisexample].
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving129
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible.
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
130

Usecautionif youshoulddrive
your car on very rough or rutted
roads. You could damage the
suspension and underbody by
bottoming out. Going too f ast over
parking lot ‘‘speed bumps’’ can
also cause damage.Because of the low-prof ile tires
f itted to your car, the alloy wheels
are closer to the ground. Driving
over a pothole or road debris at
too high a speed can seriously
damage a wheel. Slow down under
these conditions.
Your Honda is designed to give you
optimum handling and perf ormance
on well-maintained roads. As part of
this design, your car has a minimum
of ground clearance and very low-
prof ile tires.
Curbs and steep inclines could
damage the f ront and rear
bumpers. Low curbs that do not
affect the average car may be high
enough to hit the bumper on your
Honda. The f ront or rear bumper
mayscrapewhentryingtodrive
onto an incline, such as a steep
driveway or trailer ramps.
Bef ore Driving
General Precautions
131

132

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 .134
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .136
....
6-speed Manual Transmission . 137
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 138
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 138
.......................
Reverse Lockout .138
...........................................
Parking .139
.....................
The Braking System .140
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 140
...............
Brake System Design . 141
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .141
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .142
........................
ABS Indicator .143
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 144
...........................
Towing a Trailer .145
Driving
Driving133