2004 HONDA S2000 engine overheat

The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse instead of Sixth (see page). When shif ting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shif ting, do not
rest your f oot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause your clutch to wear
out f aster. Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into Reverse, or shif t into
one of the f orward gears f or a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
115
6-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving114
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

Make sure the convertible top and
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
Parking, Braking System
Parking
Parking T ips
Braking System
Driving116

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
..............................................
Fuses .170
..........
Checking and Replacing . 170
..............................
Fuse Locations .172
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 174
......................
Emergency Towing .176
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed153

The reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it reaches the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
takeimmediateaction.Theonly
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6.
7.
5.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
If the Engine Overheats
163
NOTICE: 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. 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.

..............................
Economy, Fuel .104
............
Emergencies on the Road . 153
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 162
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 155
.....
Charging System Indicator . 166
..................
Checking the Fuses . 170
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
..................
Overheated Engine . 163
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .49
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.......................
Emissions Controls .185
.....................................
Child Saf ety .22
..............................
Booster Seats .31
...................................
Child Seats .26
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................
Larger Children .30
......................
Risk With Airbags .23
.............................
Small Children .26
.......................................
Child Seats .26
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .143
...................................
Seat Belts .143
...................................
Clutch Fluid .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .185
.........................
Compact .154
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 70
..............................
Convertible Top .61
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 63
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 61
................................
Maintenance .65
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 64
Coolant ........................................
Adding .132
....................................
Checking .103
.........................
Proper Solution .132
...................
Temperature Gauge . 45Crankcase Emission Control
........................................
System .185
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 95
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 42
......................................
Cup Holder .70
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .192
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .38
................
Daytime Running Lights . 48
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .42
.................................
Dead Battery .162
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 194
................
Def rosting the Windows . 77
....................................
Dimensions .180
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 48
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .103
..........................
Directional Signals .48
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 117
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .132
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 118Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 54
..............................
Monitor Light .41
......................
Power Door Locks .54
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .114
...........................................
Driving .111
....................................
Economy .104
spare tire
Index
D
E
II

CONT INUED
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 137
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
Headlights ............
Daytime Running Lights . 48
..................
High Beam Indicator . 42
...........................
Reminder Tone .48
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 137
...................................
Turning on .48
.........
Heating and Cooling System . 74
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 48
................
High Speed, Shif ting at . 115
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 188
Engine .......................................
Coolant .132
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 45
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .41, 167
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,166
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 129
...............................
Overheating .163
............................
Specif ications .180
............................
Speed Limiter .115
.......................................
Starting .113
...................
Engine, .160
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .100
...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 185
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .34
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .14
.....................................
Fan, Interior .75
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .73
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 101Filters
...............................................
Oil .130
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 49
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 155
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .136
.........................................
Clutch .136
..............
Manual Transmission . 134
..................
Windshield Washer . 134
..........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 81
..........................
Four-way Flashers .49
.................................................
Fuel .100
......................
Fill Door and Cap .101
...........................................
Gauge .45
................
Octane Requirement . 100
........................
Reserve Indicator .42
........................
Tank, Filling the .101
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 104
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 101
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .170
.........................................
Gasoline .100
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 42
...........................................
Gauge .45 ................
Octane Requirement . 100
........................
Tank, Filling the .101
.............................................
Gauges .44
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 45
...............................................
Fuel .45
...............................
Speedometer .44
.................................
Tachometer .44
Gearshif t Lever Positions 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .114
if it won’t start
Index
F
GH
III