One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the messages shown on the
inf ormation display helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will
be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Congratulations on your selection of the 2008 Honda S2000. We are certain
you will be pleased with your purchase of one of the most sophisticated and
technologically-advanced sports cars in the world.
Introduction
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2008 S2000
This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .44
............................
Instrument Panel .45
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .46
.............................................
Gauges .53
.....................................
Odometer .53
....................................
Trip meter .53
...............................
Select Button .53
..................................
Fuel Gauge .54
..........
Check Fuel Cap Message .54
...................
Temperature Gauge .55
Outside Temperature
...................................
Indicator .55
..................
Maintenance Minder .56
............................................
Clock .56
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .57
Windshield Wipers and
.......................................
Washers .58
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights .59
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .60
.................
Hazard Warning Button .60
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .61
...............................
Keys and Locks .62
........................
Immobilizer System .63
................................
Ignition Switch .64
..........................
Power Door Locks .65 ................................................
Trunk .65
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .66
.......................
Remote Transmitter .67
.................................................
Seats .69
..............................
Power Windows .70
..............................
Convertible Top .72
........................
Removable Hardtop .78
.............................................
Mirrors .87
.................................
Parking Brake .88
...........
Interior Convenience Items .89
.........................
Beverage Holder .90
...........
Accessory Power Socket .90
.............
Console Compartments .91
.................................
Audio Panel .91
..........
Dashboard Lower Pocket .92
...................................
Interior Light .92
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
1:
2 : Only on CR models. CR models are not available in Canada.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
45
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.50)
(P.50)
(P.47)
(P.46) CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATORLOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR (P.47)
(P.47) (P.47)
(P.49) (P.47)
(P.48)
(P.49)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNING
INDICATORS
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR(P.50)
INFORMATION DISPLAY
HIGH BEAM INDICATORTPMS INDICATOR
(P.48) DAYTIME RUNNING
LIGHTS INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.49)
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
ELECTRIC
POWER
STEERING (EPS)
INDICATOR
(P.48)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.51)
(P.51)
(P.52)
PEAK POWER INDICATOR (P.53,161)
(P.55)
(P.46,220) (P.46,218)
(P.46,218) (P.47,219)
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2008 S2000
This indicator has three f unctions:Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or if it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance. The
maintenance main items and sub
items will be displayed in the
inf ormation display. See page f or
more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
1.
2.
3.
152 152
152 161
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
50
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2008 S2000
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The trip meter shows the number of
miles or kilometers driven since you
last reset it.To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the TRIP button
until you hear a beep and the
number resets to ‘‘0.0’’.
The select button switches the
speedometer reading between miles
per hour and kilometers per hour. It
also changes the odometer and trip
meters to read in miles or kilometers
correspondingly. To change the
readings, push the SELECT button,
and hold it until you hear a beep.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the TRIP button
repeatedly. Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two dif f erent distances.
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial
regulations to disconnect, reset, or
alter the odometer with the intent to
change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated.
Odometer T rip Meter Select Button
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
53
TACHOMETER
TRIP METERSELECT BUTTON
CLOCK
CLOCK BUTTON
TRIP BUTTON
SPEEDOMETER
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
BUTTON ODOMETER/CHECK FUEL CAP INDICATORBUTTON
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This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount.Your vehicle’s on board diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the trip button. The
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message will
appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message of f .If the system still detects a leak in
the vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
219
Fuel Gauge Check Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
54
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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¶¶ NOTE: The temperature must be
stabilized bef ore doing this
procedure.
To adjust the outside temperature
indicator, make sure the outside
temperature indicator is shown in
thedisplay,thenpressandholdthe
TRIP button f or 10 seconds (the
TRIP A or B is also reset). The
f ollowing sequence will appear f or 1
secondeach:0,1,2,3,4,5, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1, 0 (U.S.) or 0, 1, 2, 3,
3, 2, 1, 0 (Canada).
When it reaches the desired value,
release the TRIP button. You should
see the new outside temperature
displayed.
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace.
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.
models) or Centigrade (Canadian
models).
The temperature sensor is in the
f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road
surf ace, engine heat, and the
exhaust f rom surrounding traf f ic.
This can cause an incorrect
temperature reading when your
speed is under 19 mph (30 km/h).
The sensor delays the indicator
update until it reaches the correct
outside temperature. This may take
several minutes.
If the outside temperature is
incorrectly displayed, you can adjust
it up to 5°F in U.S. models ( 3°C
in Canadian models) warmer or
cooler.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
(Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. See page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
215
Gauges
Outside Temperature Indicator
Temperature Gauge
Inst rument s and Cont rols
55
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The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
The clock displays the time with the
ignition switch in the ON (II)
position.
To set the clock:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
Press and hold the CLOCK button
until the minute display blinks.
Adjusttheminutebypressingthe or button.
When you f inish the minute
adjustment, press and release the
CLOCK button. The hour display
will blink. Adjust the hour by
pressing the or button. When you f inish your adjustments,
press the CLOCK button again.
1.
2.
3. 4.
161
Gauges
Maintenance Minder Clock
56
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