2009 HONDA S2000 trailer

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Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
167
Fuel Economy Factors
Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
170
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Fuel Economy
134
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

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Example 1
Example 2
Carrying Cargo
140
Max Load (400 lbs)
Max Load (400 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 1 = 150 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) Cargo Weight
(250 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(100 lbs)
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

Use caution if you ever drive your
vehicleonveryroughorrutted
roads. You could damage the
suspension and underbody by
bottoming out. Going too f ast over
parking lot ‘‘speed bumps’’ can
also cause damage.Because of the low-prof ile tires
f itted to your vehicle, the alloy
wheels are closer to the ground.
Driving over a pothole or road
debris at too high a speed can
seriously damage a wheel. Slow
down under these conditions.
Your vehicle is designed to give you
optimum handling and perf ormance
on well-maintained roads. As part of
this design, your vehicle has a
minimum of ground clearance and
very low-prof ile tires.
Curbs and steep inclines could
damage the f ront and rear
bumpers. Low curbs that do not
affect the average vehicle may be
high enough to hit the bumper on
your vehicle. The f ront or rear
bumper may scrape when trying to
drive onto an incline, such as a
steep driveway or trailer ramps.
Driving Guidelines
144
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

ÎÎÎ
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .145
.....................................
Child Saf ety .29
..............................
Booster Seats .38
...................................
Child Seats .34
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .32
..........................
Larger Children .37
.......................
Risk with Airbags .30
.............................
Small Children .33
.......................................
Child Seats .34
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .184
.................................................
Clock .56
...................................
Clutch Fluid .178
........................
CO in the Exhaust .242
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .146
......................
Compact Spare Tire .200
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .248
.............
Controls, Instruments and .43
..............................
Convertible Top .72
...............
Convertible Top Cover .74
..
Lowering the Convertible Top .72
................................
Maintenance .77
.....
Raising the Convertible Top .76
............................
Wind Def lector .75
Coolant ........................................
Adding .173
....................................
Checking .132.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................
Temperature Gauge .55
Crankcase Emission Control ........................................
System .242
................
Cruise Control Indicator .47
............
Cruise Control Operation .124
......................................
Cup Holder .90
.........................
Customer Service .248
..............................
Economy, Fuel .133
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,44
..............
Dashboard Lower Pocket .92
................
Daytime Running Lights .59
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator .48
.................................
Dead Battery .214
.........
Defects, Reporting Safety .250
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .61
........
Def rosting the Windows .99,103
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .177
....................................
Dimensions .234
...............
Dimming the Headlights .59
Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil .131..........................
Directional Signals .59
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .150
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .173
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer .157
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .65
.......................
Monitor Indicator .47
......................
Power Door Locks .65
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .236
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .147
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .143
....................................
Economy .133
........................
Driving Guidelines .144
..................
DustandPollenFilter .185
Index
D
E
II
2009 S2000

Î
Î Î
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .199 ..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .236
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .128
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .173
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .18
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .123
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .244
............................
Time, Setting the .56
....................................
Tire Chains .194
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .201
.................................
Tire Labeling .238
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..................................
(TPMS) .154
...
Low Tire Pressure Indicator .154
........................
TPMS Indicator .155
..............................
Tire Repair Kit .206
...............................................
Tires .188
..............................
Air Pressure .190
...................................
Balancing .191
........................................
Chains .194
.................
Checking Wear .190,192
.................
Compact Spare Tire .200
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .236
......................................
Inf lation .189
..................................
Inspection .190
....................................
Repairing .206
...................................
Replacing .192
........................
Rotation, Do not .192
...........................................
Snow .194
............................
Specif ications .235.............................
Summer Tire .194
...........................................
Wear .190
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .201
Towing
......................
A Trailer, Do Not .157
................
Emergency Wrecker .228
..................
Trailer, Do Not Tow a .157
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, Manual .........................
Transmission .176
...........................
Fluid Selection .176
..............
Identif ication Number .233
Shif ting the Manual
.........................
Transmission .147
.....................................
Treadwear .236
.......................................
Trip Meter .53
................................................
Trunk .65
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .66
.................................
Opening the .65
.............
Open Monitor Indicator .47
....................................
Turn Signals .59
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .42
..................
Warranty Coverages .249
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .139
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .234
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .232
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
....................................
System .152
................
VSA System Indicator .50
...........
VSA Activation Indicator .50
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .153
.............................
Vehicle Storage .198
...............................
Ventilation .98,102
.................................................
VIN .232
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .171
Index
U V
W
VIII
2009 S2000