2004 S2000 Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glanc e........................................................................\
.............................................2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .37
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
....................... .73
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
........................................................... .99
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .111
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................119
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................153
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................177
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................191
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................195
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
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. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
occasional metallic knocking noises
in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. Use of
gasoline with these additives may
adversely affect performance, and
cause the Malf unction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized Honda dealer f or
service. For f urther important f uel-
related information, please refer to
your Quick Start Guide. Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
You should also f ollow these re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced.
Break-in Period, Gasoline T ype
Break-in Period Gasoline Type
Bef ore Driving100
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .120
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 121
....................
Maintenance Record .125
..............................
Fluid Locations .128
........................
Adding Engine Oil .129
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 130
..............................
Engine Coolant .132
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 134
....................
Windshield Washers .134
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .135
....................................
Hood Latch .135
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 136
.............................................
Lights .137
.......................................
Seat Belts .143
.....................................
Floor Mats .143
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 143
.................................
Wiper Blades .144
...............................................
Tires .145
...................
Checking the Battery . 151
.............................
Vehicle Storage .152
195
Maintenance
Maint enance119
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts. Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the
engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of
every conceivable hazard that can
arise in performing maintenance.
Only you can decide whether or
not you should perf orm a given
task.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working with the battery or compressed air.
Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
120
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection,
maintenance recommendations,
and schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
µµ
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation f or your passenger
and possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within legal
speed limits.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ). Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling. Driving in mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
100
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
121
NOTE:
̵
µ
µ
µ
µ
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . 103
103
136
145
137
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.Owner’s Maintenance Checks
122
ÌÌ
Ì
Maint enance123
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Check inflation and condition once a month
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Check tires inflation and condition
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items:
Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
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Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)(
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At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
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15
24 30
4845
7260
9675
120 90
144 105
168120
192135
216150
240
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, middle column, page .
: 122
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
ÎÌ
Ì
Ì
Î
Maint enance124
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions)
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60
96 75
120 90
144 105
168120
192135
216150
240
Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check tires inflation and condition
Check front and rear brake
Inspect the following items:
Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, middle column, page .
1:
: 143
122
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions