2003 HONDA S2000 octane

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.
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 Malf unction 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.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Gasoline
120

Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or your
passenger and possessions. You
should also f ollow these
recommendations:
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Select the schedule
f or ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, f ollow the schedule
f or ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’
120
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
150

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties.
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty. MET HA NOL
MT BE ET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation255

If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation256

CONT INUED
...
Closing the Convertible Top . 237
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 232
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 234
..................
Overheated Engine . 229
...........................
Emergency Brake .81
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 67
.......................
Emissions Controls .257
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 260
Engine ...........
Check Engine Light . 47,234
Compartment, Checking ......................................
in the .122
.......................................
Coolant .124
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 49
...................................
Drive Belt .188
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .47, 234
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 161
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .250
............................
Speed Limiter .138
.......................................
Starting .135
.........
Engine Cover, Opening the . 122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .255 ...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 257
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 208
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .212
.....................................
Fan, Interior .86
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .85
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
Filters ...............................................
Oil .163
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 80
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 219
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .174
.........................................
Clutch .175
..............
Manual Transmission . 172
..................
Windshield Washer . 171
........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 103
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 256
..........................
Four-way Flashers .80 .................................................
Fuel .120
......................
Fill Door and Cap .121
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
...............................
Oxygenated .255
........................
Reserve Indicator .48
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 125
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 121
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .239
..........................................
Gasohol .255
.........................................
Gasoline .120
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
Index
F
G
III

CONT INUED
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .48
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 250
.........................................
Luggage .128
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 120
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .138
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 248
..................................
Maintenance .147
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 159
........................................
Record .157
....................................
Schedule .150
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 51
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 47,234
...................
Manual Transmission . 137
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 172
...............................
Meters, Gauges .49
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 255
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .80 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 120
.........................................
Odometer .50
...............................
Odometer, Trip .51
Oil ........................
Change, How to .163
......................
Change, When to .150
......................
Checking Engine .123
..............
Pressure Indicator . 46,232
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .162
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 61
.........................
Opening the Trunk .66
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 256
..............................
Outside Mirrors .80
....................
Overheating, Engine .229
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
..............................
Paint Touch-up .210
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 54
.................................
Parking Brake .81
.................................
Parking Lights .53
.............................
PGM-FI System .258 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 209
Power ..................................
Door Locks .62
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 250
.........................................
Mirrors .80
......................................
Windows .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .18
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 29
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
...................
Radiator Overheating . 229
.......................
Radio Sound System .94
...................
Readiness Codes . 235,260
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 202
............................
Rear View Mirror .80
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 69
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 138
Index
M
N O
P
R
V

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Brake Fluid: 6-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid: SpareTirePressure:
Recommended Engine Oil: Fuel Tank Capacity:
Capacity:1.6 US qt (1.5
)
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Front: Front:
Rear:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
API premium grade 10W-30
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
5.1 US qt (4.8
) Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
161 172
174
13.2 US gal (50)