2004 HONDA S2000 emergency towing

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .154
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .155
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 160
................................
Jump Starting .162
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 163
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
..........
Charging System Indicator . 166
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
...............
Brake System Indicator . 168
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 169
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Fuses .170
..........
Checking and Replacing . 170
..............................
Fuse Locations .172
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If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 174
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Emergency Towing .176
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed153

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you press the ENGINE
START button, you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Press the ENGINE START button,
then release it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
f uses. If the f uses are OK, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem. (See on page .)
Check these things:
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. 52 162
176
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly Jump Starting
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
160

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you press the
ENGINE START button, but the
engine does not run.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
151 176
162
113 170
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
161

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. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark. 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,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving. 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. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral,
and set the parking brake. Turn
of f the all accessories, and turn on
the hazard warning indicators.
2. 1.
3. 4.
5.
6.
176
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
164
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need 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.Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
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.
9. 8.
7. 10.
11.176
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
165
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.

If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II), and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
176
136
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed168
Canada U.S.

µµ
µ The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and
lif ts them of f the ground. The other
two tires remain on the ground.
Because the S2000 sits so low, the
body could come in contact with the
ground and be damaged. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle with just a
rope or chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
When you contact the towing agency,
inf orm them that you have an S2000
and that a f lat-bed is required.
Emergency T owing
Wheel L if t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
This
method of towing is unacceptable. T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
T his is the only way your
S2000 should be transported.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed176

CONT INUED
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 49
.................................
Parking Brake .67
.................................
Parking Lights .48
.............................
PGM-FI System .186
Power ..................................
Door Locks .54
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 180
.........................................
Mirrors .66
......................................
Windows .59
..........................
Power Door Locks .54
..................
Power Socket Location . 70..............................
Power Windows .59
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Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 14
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 10
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 14
........................
Protecting Children .22
.....................
General Guidelines .22
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 30
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
..................................
Maintenance .119
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .122
........................................
Record .125
....................................
Schedule .121
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 43
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 41,167
...................
Manual Transmission . 114
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 134
...............................
Meters, Gauges .44
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .66
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 106
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 100
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .115
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 178
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 100
.........................................
Odometer .44 ...............................
Odometer, Trip .44
Oil ........................
Change, How to .130
......................
Change, When to .121
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Checking Engine .103
..............
Pressure Indicator . 40,166
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .130
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 53
.........................
Opening the Trunk .54
..............................
Outside Mirrors .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .163
...................
Radiator Overheating . 163
.......................
Radio Sound System .78
...................
Readiness Codes . 167,188
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 141
............................
Rear View Mirror .66
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 58
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 115
Recovery Vehicle, Emergency .......................................
Towing .176
.............................
Reminder Lights .40
.......................
Remote Transmitter .56
Index
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