2009 HONDA S2000 Owners Manual

The total time for inflation and
def lation is one-tenth of a second, so
f ast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until
they see them lying in their laps.
Although both airbags normally
inf late within a split second of each
other, it is possible f or only one
airbag to deploy.
This can happen if the severity of a
collision is at the margin, or
threshold, that determines whether
or not the airbags will deploy. In
such cases, the seat belt will provide
suf f icient protection, and the
supplemental protection of f ered by
the airbag would be minimal.
If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, sensors will
detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration.
If the rate of deceleration is high
enough, the control unit will instantly
inflate the driver’s and passenger’s
airbags, at the time and with the
f orce needed. Only the driver’s airbag can deploy if
there is no passenger in the
passenger’s seat, or if the advanced
airbag system has turned the
passenger’s airbag of f (see page ).
During a f rontal crash, your seat belt
restrains your lower body and torso,
and the f ront airbag helps protect
your head and chest.
Af ter inf lating, the f ront airbags will
immediately def late, so they won’t
interf ere with the driver’s visibility,
or the ability to steer or operate
other controls.
24
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How Your Airbags Work
22
2009 S2000

In acrash, both stages
will ignite simultaneously to provide
the quickest and greatest protection.
In a crash, one stage will
ignite first, then the second stage
will ignite a split second later. This
provides longer airbag inf lation time
with a little less force.
After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder f rom the airbag’s surf ace.
Although the powder is not harmf ul,
people with respiratory problems
mayexperiencesometemporary
discomf ort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is saf e to do
so.
Your f ront airbags are dual-stage
airbags. This means they have two
inf lation stages that can be ignited
sequentially or simultaneously,
depending on crash severity.
Your f ront airbags are also dual-
threshold airbags. Airbags with this
f eature have two deployment
thresholds that depend on whether
sensors detect the occupant is
wearing a seat belt or not.
If the occupant’s belt is
,
the airbag will deploy at a slightly
lower threshold, because the
occupant would need extra
protection.
If the occupant’s belt is , the
airbag will inf late at a slightly higher
threshold, when the airbag would be
needed to supplement the protection
provided by the seat belt.
Dual-T hreshold A irbags
Dual-Stage A irbags
more severeless severe not lat ched
latched
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
23
2009 S2000

If there is a problem with the sensor,
the SRS indicator will come on, and
the airbag will inf late in the normal
manner regardless of the driver’s
seating position.
Your airbags are also advanced
airbags. The main purpose of this
feature is to help prevent airbag-
caused injuries to short drivers and
children who ride in the passenger’s
seat.
For both advanced airbags to work
properly:
Occupants must sit upright and
wear their seat belts properly.
Failure to f ollow these instructions
could damage the sensors or prevent
them f rom working properly. Do not spill any liquids on or
under the seats, cover the sensors,
or put any objects or metal items
under the seats.
The driver’s advanced front airbag
system includes a seat position
sensor under the seat. If the seat is
too far forward, the airbag will
inf late with less f orce, regardless of
the severity of the impact.
Be aware that objects placed on the
passenger’s seat can also cause the
airbag to be turned off.
The passenger’s advanced airbag
system has weight sensors under the
seat. Although Honda does not
encourage carrying a child in the
passenger’s seat, if the sensors
detect the weight of an inf ant or
small child (up to about 65 lbs or 29
kg), the system will automatically
turn the passenger’s airbag of f .
Advanced Airbags
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
24
DRIVER’S
SEAT
POSITION
SENSORPASSENGER’S
SEAT WEIGHT
SENSOR
2009 S2000

CONT INUED
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on brief ly then goes of f . This
tells you the system is working
properly.
If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
When the airbag is turned of f , a
‘‘passenger airbag of f ’’ indicator in
the center of the dashboard comes
on (see page ).
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive.
If the weight sensors detect there is
no passenger in the seat, the airbag
will be of f . However, the passenger
airbag of f indicator will not come on.
To ensure that the passenger’s
advanced airbag system will work
properly,
The SRS indicator alerts you to a
potential problem with your airbags
or seat belt tensioners.
26
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
do not do anyt hing t hat
would increase or decrease t he weight on the passenger’s seat, suchas hanging heavy objects on the seat.
How the SRS Indicator
Works
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
25
2009 S2000

If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when you
need them.Be aware that objects placed on the
passenger’s seat can cause the
indicator to come on.
If no weight is detected in the
passenger’s seat, the airbag will be
automatically shut off. However, the
indicator will not come on.
This indicator alerts you that the
passenger’s airbag has been shut of f
because weight sensors detect about
65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of
an inf ant or small child) on the
passenger’s seat. It does
there is a problem with the airbag.
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
not mean
26
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR U. S. Canada
Ignoring the SRS indicator can
result in serious injury or death
if the airbag systems or
tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS indicator alerts you to
a possible problem.
2009 S2000

The passenger airbag of f indicator
maycomeonandoff repeatedlyif
the total weight on the seat is near
the airbag cutof f threshold.If the indicator comes on with no
passenger and no objects on the
passenger seat, or with an adult
riding there, something may be
interf ering with the weight sensors.
Look f or and remove:
Any items under the passenger’s
seat.
Any objects hanging on the seat.
Any object(s) touching the rear of
the seat-back.
If no obstructions are f ound, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible. Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an authorized dealer or
a knowledgeable body shop.Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:
If an adult or teenage passenger is
riding in f ront, move the seat as f ar
to the rear as possible, and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly.
An airbag ever inf lates.
Airbag Service
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
27
2009 S2000

Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly. Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury. This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor or the passenger’s
weight sensors inef f ective. If it is
necessary to remove or modif y a
seat to accommodate a person
with disabilities, f irst contact
Honda Automobile Customer
Service at (800) 999-1009.
Even if your
airbags do not inflate, your dealer
should inspect the driver’s seat
position sensor, the passenger’s
weight sensors, the seat belt
tensioners, and all seat belts worn
during the crash to make sure
they are operating properly.
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o a
problem. Do not at t empt t o deact ivat e your
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason. Do not remove or modif y a seat
wit hout consult ing your dealer.
If your vehicle has a moderat e t o severe impact .Additional Saf ety Precautions
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
28
2009 S2000

µ
µ
µ
Children depend on adults to protect
them. However, despite their best
intentions, many adults do not know
how to protect child
passengers.
Each year, many children are injured
or killed in vehicle crashes because
they are either unrestrained or not
properly restrained. In f act, vehicle
accidents are the number one cause
of death of children age 12 and
under. (see pages ).
If you ever need to drive with a child
in your vehicle, be sure to read this
section. It begins with important
general guidelines, then presents
special inf ormation f or small
children who must ride in a f orward-
f acing child seat, and f or larger
children. To reduce the number of child
deaths and injuries, every state and
Canadian province requires that
children be properly restrained when
they ride in a vehicle.
(see pages
).
3336 3740properly
All Children Must Be Restrained
Protecting Children General Guidelines
Larger children must be restrained
wit h a lap/shoulder belt and ride ona boost er seat unt il t he seat belt f it st hem properly
Anychildwhoistoosmalltoweara seat belt must be restrained in anapproved child seat t hat is properlysecured t o t he vehicle
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
29
Children who are unrestrained
or improperly restrained can be
seriously injured or killed in a
crash.
Any child too small for a seat
belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat. A
larger child should be properly
restrained with a seat belt and
use a booster seat if necessary.
2009 S2000