2008 HONDA S2000 transmission

Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.
Your vehicle 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 anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
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 parked
on an incline.
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.
Make sure the convertible top and
the windows are closed.
Make sure the removable hardtop
is properly installed and the
windows are closed.
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.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
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.
Lock the doors.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Turn of f the lights.
CONT INUED
Except CR models CR models
Parking
Parking T ips Braking System
Parking, Braking System
Driving
149
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 S2000

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .160
....................
Maintenance Minder .161
..............................
Fluid Locations .169
........................
Adding Engine Oil .170
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .171
..............................
Engine Coolant .173
....................
Windshield Washers .175
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .176
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .177
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .178
.............................................
Lights .179
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .184
.....................................
Floor Mats .185
..................
DustandPollenFilter .185
..............................
Audio Antenna .185
.................................
Wiper Blades .186
...........................................
Wheels .188
...............................................
Tires .188
...................
Checking the Battery .196
.............................
Vehicle Storage .198
251
Maintenance
Maint enance
159
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 S2000

Î
Ì Ì Î
Ì
Î
Î
Maintenance Minder
168
Maintenance Sub Items
Check tire inflation and condition
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, 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
Check expiration date for tire sealant bottle
:
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
61
2
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
NOTE: 1:
2 : CR models
167
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas results in higher level
of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 S2000

µ
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use 5W-40 oil if the
temperature in your area goes below
0°F ( 20°C).
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. The oil and f ilter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
171
Ambient Temperature
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(\fy\f
y
2008 S2000

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Install
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the intervals shown on the
inf ormation display.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
176
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f

y
2008 S2000

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse.
Vehicle Storage
198
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\fy
2008 S2000

Open the trunk. Lift up the tool
box lid, and take the jack, the
wheel nut wrench, and the
extension out of the tool box.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, which will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when this spare is
mounted on your vehicle.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have your
passenger get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in reverse. Apply the
parking brake.
Thesizedifferencemayalsocause
damage to the rear dif f erential, so do
not mount the compact spare on the
rear. If either rear tire goes f lat,
remove the f ront tire on that same
side, mount the compact spare tire
on the f ront, then mount the f ront
tire on the rear.
Your vehicle is equipped with the
tire repair kit instead of the spare
tire. This kit is available f or easy
repair of a f lat tire (see page ). 3.
1.
2.
206
CONT INUED
Except CR models
CR models
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
201
TOOL BOX LID
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack. Use the jack that came with your
vehicle. If you try to raise another
vehicle with this jack or use another
jack to raise your vehicle, the vehicle or
jack can be damaged.
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f\fy
2008 S2000

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 the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on 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
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 mechanic
to determine the problem. (See
on page .)
214 228
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
212
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 S2000