2003 HONDA S2000 tires

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

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

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

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.8.
9.
10.
11. 15
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80 45135
Driving
Preparing to Drive
134

CONT INUED
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the car (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.Your car has an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) as standard
equipment. ABS helps to prevent the
wheels f rom locking up and skidding
during hard braking, allowing you to
retain steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person can do it.
Brake System Design
A nti-lock Brakes
The Braking System
Driving141
Front

this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal; it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of
traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforeyou
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice. such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions. it
only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a saf e f ollowing distance
f rom other vehicles.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a car without anti-lock.
Slow down and allow a greater
distance between cars under those
conditions.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You should never pump the
brake pedal;
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly, A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the car;
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.A car with ABS may require a
longer distance to stopImport ant Saf et y Reminders
The Braking System
Driving142

µCheck your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothercars.The
spray f rom large cars reduces your
visibility, and the wind buf f eting can
cause you to lose control.Your car is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Driving
Traction
Towing a Trailer
Driving in Bad Weather, Towing a Trailer
145