2003 HONDA S2000 oil

Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Push the button.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
40
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Î
ÎÎ
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols45
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
(P.48)MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
(P.51)
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATORS
(P.48)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.47)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.46)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.46) ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR
(P.47)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (P.48)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P.
48)
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT (P.
46)
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.47)
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
(P.47)
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR (P.47)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.48)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P.46) (P.234)

This light has two f unctions:
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page . The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition. This indicator f lashes f or several
seconds when you turn the ignition
ON (II). It f lashes as a reminder to
you and your passenger to f asten the
seat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not f astened your seat belt.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
2. 1.
232
233
236
Parking Brake and
Brake System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Indicator L ights
46
U.S. Canada

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 .120
.........................................
Gasoline .120
.........
Service Station Procedures . 121
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
....................
Opening the Hood .122
...............................
Oil Check .123
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 124
...............................
Fuel Economy .125
............................
Car Condition .125
...........................
Driving Habits .125
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 126
................................
Accessories .126
............................
Modif ications .127
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 127
.............................
Carrying Cargo .128
.....................
General Precautions .131
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving119

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

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 Driving123
DIPSTICK

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
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
3.
4.
161 159165
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
124
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN

µ
µ
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 91
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Visibility
Driving T echnique
144