2005 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 .158
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .159
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 164
................................
Jump Starting .166
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 167
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 170
..........
Charging System Indicator . 170
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 171
...............
Brake System Indicator . 172
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 173
..............................................
Fuses .174
..........
Checking and Replacing . 175
..............................
Fuse Locations .177
......................
Emergency Towing .179
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 179
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
157

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.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
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
fuses.If thefusesareOK,thereis
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 .)
166 179
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
164

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 ).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.
If you f ind nothing wrong, you will
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 ).
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 ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. 52
114
154
166 174
179
T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency
Towing
Starting the
Engine
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
165

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 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. 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
(seeon
page ).
2. 1.
3. 4.
5.
6.
179
134 Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine Coolant
If theEngineOverheats
168
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 a 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.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.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. 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.
9. 8.
7. 10.
11.179
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
169
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.
139 179Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
172
Canada
U.S.

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous
column).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchors in the front and rear
bumpers.To use the towing hook:
Remove the cover f rom the
bumper.
Using the wheel nut wrench,
fasten the extension into the bolt
hole in the anchor. Remove the towing hook, hook
extension, and wheel nut wrench
f rom the tool box.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
179

CONT INUED
.....................................
Fan, Interior .75
...........................................
Features .73
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 101
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .146
...............................................
Oil .132
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 49
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 159
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .139
.........................................
Clutch .139
..............
Manual Transmission . 137
..................
Windshield Washer . 136
..........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 81
..........................
Four-way Flashers .49
.................................................
Fuel .100
......................
Fill Door and Cap .101
...........................................
Gauge .45
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .42
................
Octane Requirement . 100
...............................
Oxygenated .100 ........................
Tank, Ref ueling .101
...............................
Fuel Economy .104
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 101
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .174
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 171
..................
Overheated Engine . 167
.......................................
Towing .179
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .49
......................
Emergency Towing .179
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.......................
Emissions Controls .189
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 192
Engine ............
Adding Engine Coolant . 134
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 45
.........................
If It Won’t Start .164
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .41, 171
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,170
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 131
...............................
Overheating .167
............................
Specif ications .184
............................
Speed Limiter .116
...............................
Start Button .114
.......................................
Starting .114
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .100
...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 189
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .35 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .14
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 104
..........................................
Gasohol .100
.........................................
Gasoline .100
...........................................
Gauge .45
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .42
................
Octane Requirement . 100
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .101
.............................................
Gauges .44
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 45
...............................................
Fuel .45
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..............
Manual Transmission . 116
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............................
(GVWR) .108, 184
Index
F
G
INDEX
III