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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
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The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
179
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
2009 S2000
Page 186 of 268
Open the trunk.
Remove the fasteners from the
trunk lining. To remove a f astener,
push on the center of the head
until it pops in, then pull the
f astener out.
Pull the lining back.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned out bulb by
pulling it straight out of its socket.
Determine which bulb is burned
out: turn signal or back-up light.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance
183
SOCKET BULB
2009 S2000
Page 187 of 268

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.Install the trunk lining, and secure
it with the fasteners. To reinstall a
f astener, reset the f astener by
pushing on the pointed end until it
pops back almost f lush with the
f ingers on the housing. Put the
f astener in the hole of the trunk
lining, and push on the center until
it locks (the center is flush with
the head).
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
7.
8.
9.
10. Cleaning the Seat Belts
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts
184
2009 S2000
Page 201 of 268

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
2009 S2000
Page 204 of 268

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.
2009 S2000
Page 208 of 268
Put the flat tire in the trunk well
vertically as shown.
Remove the tool box f rom the
trunk well, and replace the jack,
wheel wrench, and extension in
the tool box.
Place the tool box into the spare
tire shelf in the trunk.
Replacethesparetirecover.
Secure it with the three clips. Push
each clip in securely, and pivot the
ring down f lat.Your vehicle’s original tire has a
tire pressure monitoring system
sensor. To replace a tire, ref er to (see
page ). 155
17.
18.
16.
14.
15.
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with T PMS
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
205
CLIPS
SPARETIRECOVER
TOOL BOX
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Page 210 of 268
CONT INUED
Open the trunk and remove the
tire repair kit.Your tire repair kit contains:
An air pump with a power cord
andanairhoseattached. Remove the sealant bottle and
check the expiration date on the
label. If the date has expired, do
not continue. Have your vehicle
towed to the nearest Honda
service center.
If thedatehasnotexpired,shake
the bottle thoroughly and proceed
to step 4.
A bottle of sealant with a f iller
hose attached.
An instruction sheet.
Twolabels,oneforthetirewheel
and one f or the instrument panel. 3.
2.
Repairing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
207
TOOL BOX LID
TIRE REPAIR KIT EXPIRATION DATE
2009 S2000