2003 HONDA S2000 coolant temperature

The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometerreadingintheredzone.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
mark, pull saf ely to the side of the
road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
The Select button switches the
speedometer reading between miles
perhourandkilometerperhour.It
also changes the odometer and trip
meters to read in miles or kilometers
correspondingly. To change the
readings, push the Select button and
hold it until you hear a beep.
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph) or kilometers per hour
(km/h).
229
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
T achometer
Select Button Temperature Gauge
Speedometer
49
TEMPERATURE GAUGE SPEEDOMETERTACHOMETER
SELECT BUTTON

This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
You can adjust the direction of the
air coming from the vents on both
sides of the instrument panel and at
the corner of the dashboard on the
passenger’s side. To adjust the air
flow up and down, move the tab in
the center of each vent up and down.
To adjust it lef t and right, turn the
dial under each vent lef t and right. You can shut off the air flow from
each vent by turning the dial all the
way toward the mark until it
clicks.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent Controls
How to Use the System
88
CENTER VENTSIDE VENT

When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is all the way to
the left.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red mark, turn
of f the A/C until the reading returns
to normal.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
49
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
90
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
FAN CONTROL LEVERMODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL

µ
ÎÌ
ÌÌÎ
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance154
Visually inspect the following items: Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody 15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page .
Refer to page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Check tire inflation and condition
1: :
Adjust only if noisy
151
187
Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the 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.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
1.
2.
3. 4.
CONT INUED
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance167
DRAIN BOLT
DRAIN PLUG

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you
should take immediate action. The reading on your car’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral
and set the parking brake. Turn
of f the heating and cooling system
andallotheraccessories.Turnon
the hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
1. 3.
4.
5.
2.
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed229
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ). If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
of f .
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.
6.
7.9.
8.
245 124
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed230
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .) If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
10.
12.
11.
245Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed231