2008 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 .200
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .201
....................
Repairing a Flat Tire .206
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .212
................................
Jump Starting .214
..............
If the Engine Overheats .215
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .218
..........
Charging System Indicator .218
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .219
...............
Brake System Indicator .220
.......
Closing the Convertible Top .221
..............................................
Fuses .222
..........
Checking and Replacing .223
..............................
Fuse Locations .226
......................
Emergency Towing .228
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .228
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
199
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2008 S2000

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
(see on
page ).
2.
1.
3. 4.
5.
6.
173 228
Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine Coolant
If theEngineOverheats
216
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
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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 check
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.
11.228
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217
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.
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2008 S2000

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 the
ON (II) position, and as a reminder
to check the parking brake. It will
stay on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
178 228Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
220
Canada
U.S.
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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.
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
228
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CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .133
.........................................
Gasoline .128
...........................................
Gauge .54
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .128
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .129
............................
Fan, Interior .97,101
...........................................
Features .95
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .129
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .185
...............................................
Oil .171
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .60
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .201
...................
Flat Tire, Repairing a .206
Fluids
..........................................
Brake .178 .........................................
Clutch .178
..............
Manual Transmission .176
..................
Windshield Washer .175
..........................
Four-way Flashers .60
.................................................
Fuel .128
......................
Fill Door and Cap .129
...........................................
Gauge .54
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .128
...............................
Oxygenated .128
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .129
...............................
Fuel Economy .133
..............
Fuel Station Procedures .129
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .223
..................................
Emergencies .199
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .214
...........
Brake System Indicator .220
................
Changing a Flat Tire .201
.....
Charging System Indicator .218
..................
Checking the Fuses .223
...
Closing the Convertible Top .221
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .60
............................
Jump Starting .214
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .218
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .210
..................
Overheated Engine .215
.......................................
Towing .228
...........................
Emergency Brake .88
......................
Emergency Flashers .60
......................
Emergency Towing .228
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .66
.......................
Emissions Controls .242
.............
Emissions Testing, State .245
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .173
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .55
.........................
If It Won’t Start .212
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .47,219
.......................
Oil Lif e Indicator .161 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator .46,218
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .170
...............................
Overheating .215
............................
Specif ications .234
............................
Speed Limiter .148
...............................
Start Button .146
.......................................
Starting .146
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .128
...
Evaporative Emission Controls .242
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .41
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .14
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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Î
Î
....
Outside Temperature Indicator .55
....................
Overheating, Engine .215
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .167
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .128
..............
Panel Brightness Control .60
...........................................
Parking .149
.................................
Parking Brake .88
Parking Brake and Brake System
.....................................
Indicator .220
.................................
Parking Lights .59
.....................
Peak Power Indicator .52
.............................
PGM-FI System .243
...................................
Pollen Filter .185
..........................
Power Door Locks .65
..................
Power Socket Location .90
..............................
Power Windows .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .14
........................
Preparing to Drive .145
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .10
...
Additional Safety Precautions .15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .14
........................
Protecting Children .29
.....................
General Guidelines .29 .......
Protecting Larger Children .37
.........
Protecting Small Children .33
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8,16
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .250
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .42
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
...................
Radiator Overheating .215
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .104
.................
Radio Thef t Protection .123
...................
Readiness Codes .219,245
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .183
............................
Rear View Mirror .87
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .61
................
Reclining the Seat-backs .69
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds .148
Recovery Vehicle, Emergency
.......................................
Towing .228
........................................
Ref ueling .129
.......................
Reminder Indicators .45
.......................
Remote Transmitter .67
........................
Removable Hardtop .78
...................................
Installation .79
.......................................
Removal .84
..........................................
Storing .86
.......................................
Washing .86
............................
Wind Def lector .75 Replacement Inf ormation
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter .185
................
Engine Oil and Filter .171
..........................................
Fuses .222
................................
Light Bulbs .179
....................................
Schedule .168
...........................................
Tires .192
.............................
Wiper Blades .186
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .18
..........
Reporting Saf ety Def ects .250
Reserve Tank, Engine
...............................
Coolant .132,173
...............................
Restraint, Child .29
...........................
Reverse Lockout .148
................................
Rotation, Tire .191
Index
S
R
P
VI
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ÎÎ
Î
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .199
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .236
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .128
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .173 .................
Vehicle Capacity Load .139
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .234
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .232
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .152
................
VSA System Indicator .50
...........
VSA Activation Indicator .50
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .153
.............................
Vehicle Storage .197
...............................
Ventilation .98,102
.................................................
VIN .232
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .171
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .42
..................
Warranty Coverages .249
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .175
.....................................
Operation .58
...........................................
Wheels .188
............
Alignment and Balance .192
..............................
Wrench, Nut .202
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .201
.................................
Tire Labeling .238
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .154
...
Low Tire Pressure Indicator .154
........................
TPMS Indicator .155
..............................
Tire Repair Kit .206
...............................................
Tires .188
..............................
Air Pressure .190
...................................
Balancing .191
........................................
Chains .194
.................
Checking Wear .190,192
.................
Compact Spare Tire .200
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .236
......................................
Inf lation .189
..................................
Inspection .190
....................................
Repairing .206
...................................
Replacing .193
........................
Rotation, Do not .192
...........................................
Snow .194
............................
Specif ications .235
.............................
Summer Tire .194
...........................................
Wear .190
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .201
Towing
......................
A Trailer, Do Not .153 ................
Emergency Wrecker .228
..................
Trailer, Do Not Tow a .153
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, Manual .........................
Transmission .176
...........................
Fluid Selection .176
..............
Identif ication Number .233
Shif ting the Manual
.........................
Transmission .147
.....................................
Treadwear .236
.......................................
Trip Meter .53
................................................
Trunk .65
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .66
.................................
Opening the .65
.............
Open Monitor Indicator .47
....................................
Turn Signals .59
Index
U V
W
VIII
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