2009 HONDA S2000 tow

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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

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to the ON (II) position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to pagef or more inf ormation. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any 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 TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
repair the f lat tire with the tire repair
kit (see page ), and have the flat
tire repaired as soon as possible. If
two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page
f or more inf ormation.
201
154 154
228 228
206
CR models
Except CR modelsLow Tire Pressure
Indicator Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
51
2009 S2000

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MIST
OFF
INT Intermittent
LO Low speed
HI High speed
Windshield washers Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.
The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
The wipers are not activated.
The wipers operate every
f ew seconds. In low speed and high
speed, the wipers run continuously.
The wipers run at high speed.The wipers run at low speed. Pull the
wiper control lever toward you, and
hold it. The washers spray until you
release the lever. The wipers run at
low speed, then complete one more
sweep after you release the lever.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. MIST
OFF
INT
HI
LO
Windshield Washers
Windshield Wipers and Washers
58
2009 S2000

Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (black
handle).
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
3. 4.
1.
2.
3.
170
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
Bef ore Driving
131
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
CLIP
SUPPORT ROD GRIP
2009 S2000

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Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If yourvehiclewillbetowinga
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 400 lbs (181 kg) f or U.S. vehicles,
and 185 kg for Canadian vehicles.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
139
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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

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

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Towing a Trailer
Driving
157
2009 S2000