2009 HONDA S2000 brake

Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Herearesomeexamples:If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
saf ety systems could make the
systems inef f ective.
Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
137
2009 S2000

........................
Driving Guidelines .144
........................
Preparing to Drive .145
.......................
Starting the Engine .146
...................
Manual Transmission .147
...........................................
Parking .149
.............................
Braking System .149
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .150
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability Control .......................
(ESC), System .152
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .154
...........................
Towing a Trailer .157
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual transmission. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system, the
vehicle stability assist (VSA
)
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer.
Driving
Driving
143
2009 S2000

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. The ENGINE START button
has no ef f ect unless the clutch
pedal is pressed.
Turn the ignition key to the ON
(II) position.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push the ENGINE START
button. Do not hold the ENGINE
START button for more than 15
seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pause
f or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 6.
If theenginedoesnotstartwithin
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 5 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7.
Starting the Engine
146
ENGINE START BUTTON
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
63
2009 S2000

The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse instead of sixth (see page). When shif ting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shif ting, do not
rest your f oot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause your clutch to wear
out f aster. When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
aluminum shif t lever. If you leave the
vehicle parked outside f or a long
time on a hot day, be caref ul bef ore
moving the shift lever. Because of
the heat, the shift lever may be
extremely hot. If the outside
temperature is low, the shif t lever
f eels cold.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
148
Manual T ransmission
Driving
147
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
2009 S2000

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
2009 S2000

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may f eel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
150
2009 S2000

If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.it only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
ABS Indicator
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
151
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
2009 S2000

When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ).
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes. If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible (see page ).
Without VSA, your vehicle still has
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it does not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
The VSA system indicator may come
on along with the ABS indicator if
there is a problem with the anti-lock
brake system.
The main f unction of the
VSA system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control f unction. 50
50
VSA A ctivation Indicator
VSA System Indicator
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
152
NOTE:
2009 S2000