check oil HONDA S2000 2000 1.G User Guide

Adding Oil
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil fill cap on top of the left
valve cover.
Pour in the oil, and
replace
the engine oil fill cap.
Tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes and
recheck the oil level. Do
not
fill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.
Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter­
gent
oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Genuine Honda Motor
oil in your vehicle for as long as you
own it.
You can determine an oil's
SAE
viscosity and Service Classification
from
the API Service label on the oil
container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended
for your Honda.
This is shown on the
API Service label by the words
"Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel.
Engine Oil
The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API
Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as
CD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries
the SJ classification.
CONTINUED
Maintenance 15 7

Engine Oil
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
33 lbf.ft (45 N·m, 4.6 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recom­
mended
oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
5.1 US qt (4.8 Q, 4.2 Imp qt)
7. Install the engine oil fill cap. Start
the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and
oil filter for leaks.
160 Maintenance
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the
oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
NOTICE
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose
of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it
to a recycling
center. Do not discard it
in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

6-speed Manual Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger.
The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole.
If it is
not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely.
168 Maintenance
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an
API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE lOW-30 or lOW-40 as a
temporary replacement. An
SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor
oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffer
shifting. Replace as soon as
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen­
dations
in the maintenance schedule.

Check the fluid level with the
differential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
onlevelground.Removethe
differential fluid filler bolt and
washer and carefully feel inside the
bolt hole with your finger.
The fluid
level should
be up to the edge of the
bolt hole.
If it is not, slowly add fluid
until it starts to run out of
the hole.
Use a SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear
oil, API service classified GL5 or
GL6 only, in the differential.
Put a new washer on the filler bolt,
then reinstall the filler bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m, 4.6 kgf·m)
The differential should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Differential Fluid
Maintenance 169

Air Conditioning System
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should
be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to
make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
Periodically
check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt
stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling
efficiency.
Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft
brush to remove them.
NOTICE
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure
~pray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
182 Maintenance
Run the air conditioning at least once
a
week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with
the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con­
tained in
the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as
cold
as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page
245.)
NOTICE
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant
for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more­
common problems
that motorists
experience with their vehicles.
It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to
do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact
Spare Tire .......................
212
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213
If Your Engine Won't Start ........... 218
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor
Operates
Very
Slowly ......................... 218
The Starter Operates
Normally ................................. 219
Jump Starting ................................. 220
If Your Engine Overheats ............. 223
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .......... 226
Charging System Indicator.. .........
227
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 228
Brake System Indicator ................ 229
Closing the Convertible Top ........ 230
Fuses ............................................... 231
Checking and Replacing ........... 232
If Your Car Gets Stuck. ................. 236
Emergency Towing ....................... 238
Taking Care of the Unexpected 211

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after
the engine starts. It should
never come on when
the engine is
running.
If it starts flashing, it
indicates
that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment,
then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with
the engine running, it shows
that
the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
226 Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn
off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car
stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page 119 ). Although oil level
and
oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine
that is very
low on
oil can lose pressure during
cornering and
other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 120 ) .
4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator.
If the light
does not go out within
ten seconds,
turn off
the engine. There is a
mechanical problem
that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving.
(See Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)

Index
Brakes,ABS Certification Label ......................... 242
Vinyl ............................................ 207
Operation
.................................... 137 Chains ............................................. 191 Windows ..................................... 208
System
Indicator .................. 44, 139 Change Oil Climate Control System .................. 86
Braking System .............................. 136 Howto ......................................... 159 Clutch Fluid .................................... 171
Break-in, New Car ......................... 116 When to ....................................... 146 CO in the Exhaust ......................... 250
Brightness Control, Instruments ... 52 Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213 Cold Weather, Starting in ............. 132
Brights, Headlights ......................... 51 Changing Engine Coolant.. ........... 163 Compact Spare Tire ....................... 212
Bulb Replacement... ....................... 192 Charging System Indicator .... 44, 227 Controls, Instruments and .............. 41
Back-up Lights ........................... 198 Check Engine Light ................ 45, 228
Covertible Top ................................. 71
Brake Lights ............................... 198 Checking
Closing the Convertible Top ...... 7 4
Headlights ..................................
195 Battery Condition ...................... 177 Convertible Top Cover. ............... 76
License Plate Lights .................. 200 Brake Fluid ................................. 170 Maintenance ................................. 77
Parking Lights ........................... 196 Clutch Fluid ................................ 171 Opening the Covertible Top ....... 71
Side Marker Lights ................... 198
Drive Belt.. .................................. 184 Coolant
Specifications .............................
245 Engine Coolant.. ......................... 120 Adding ......................................... 161
Turn Signal Lights ..................... 196 Engine Oil.. ................................. 119 Checking ..................................... 120
Bulbs, Halogen ............................... 194 Fuses ........................................... 232 Proper Solution .......................... 161
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 168 Temperature Gauge .................... 47
c Checklist, Before Driving ............. 115 Corrosion Protection ..................... 208
Cleaner, Air .................................... 172 Crankcase Emission Control
Cables, Jump Starting With ..........
220 Cleaning .......................................... 203 System ......................................... 250
Capacities Chart. ............................ 244
Aluminum Wheels ..................... 206 Cruise Control Operation ............... 55
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .............. 39 Exterior ....................................... 204 Customer Relations
Cargo, Carrying .............................
124 Interior ........................................ 207 Information ................................. 254
CAUTION, Explanation of ............... ii Leather ........................................ 207
CD Changer. ................................... 107 Seat Belts .................................... 207
II

Index
D In Bad Weather. ......................... 140 Malfunction Indicator
In Foreign Countries .................
249 Lamp ................................. 45, 228
DANGER, Explanation of.. ............... ii Oil Pressure Indicator ......... 44, 226
Dashboard ........................................
42 E Oil, What Kind to Use ............... 157
Daytime Running Lights ................. 52 Overheating ................................ 223
Dead Battery, What to Do ............ 220 Economy, Fuel ............................... 121 Specifications ............................. 244
Defects, Reporting
Safety ............. 258 Emergencies on the Road ............. 211 Engine Cover, Opening the .......... 118
Defrosting
the Windows ................. 91 Battery, Jump Starting .............. 220 Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 248
Dimensions ..................................... 244 Changing
a Flat Tire .................
213 Evaporative Emission Controls .... 250
Dimming the Headlights ................ 51 Charging System Indicator ...... 227 Exhaust Fumes ................................ 39
Dipstick Checking the Fuses ................... 232 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Engine Oil.. ................................. 119 Closing the Convertible Top .... 230 Belts by ......................................... 17
Directional Signals ........................... 53 Low Oil Pressure Indicator ...... 226 Exterior,
Cleaning the ................... 204
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ...... 238 Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 228
Disc Brake
Wear Indicators ......... 136 Overheated Engine ................... 223 F
Disposal of Used Oil.. .................... 160 Emergency Brake ............................ 80
Do Not Tow a Trailer .................... 141 Emergency Flashers ....................... 79 Fabric, Cleaning ............................. 207
Doors Emission
Controls ......................... 250 Fan, Interior ...................................... 86
Locking and Unlocking ............... 62 Engine Features, Comfort and
Monitor Light.. .............................
45 Check Engine Light ............ 45, 228 Convenience
................................. 85
Power Door Locks ....................... 62 Compartment, Checking Filling the Fuel Tank ..................... 117
DOT Tire Quality Grading ........... 246
in the ....................................... 118
Downshifting, 6-speed Manual Coolant ........................................ 120
Transmission .............................. 134 Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 4 7
Driving ............................................
129 Drive Belt. ................................... 184
Economy ..................................... 121 CONTINUED
Ill

Index
Filters
Oil ................................................ 159
Flashers, Hazard Warning .............. 79
Flat Tire, Changing a .................... 213
Fluids
Brake ...........................................
170
Clutch
.......................................... 171
Manual Transmission ............... 168
Windshield Washer ................... 167
FM Stereo Radio Reception ......... 100
Foreign Countries, Driving in ...... 249
Four-way Flashers ........................... 79
Front End, Towing by Emergency
W reeker ......................................
238
Fuel .................................................. 116
Fill Door and
Cap ....................... 117
Gauge ............................................ 48
Octane Requirement.. ............... 116
Oxygenated ................................ 248
Reserve Indicator .........................
46
Tank, Filling the ......................... 117
Fuel Mileage, Improving ............... 121
Fuel Station Procedures ............... 117
Fuses, Checking the ...................... 232
IV
G
Gasohol ........................................... 248
Gasoline .......................................... 116
Fuel Reserve Indicator. ...............
46
Gauge ............................................ 48
Octane Requirement ................. 116
Oxygenated Fuels ...................... 248
Tank, Filling the .........................
117
Gauges .............................................. 47
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 47
Fuel ................................................ 48
Gearshift Lever Positions
6-speed Manual
Transmission ..........................
133
Glass Cleaning ............................... 208
IH
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .............. 194
Hazard Warning Flashers ............... 79
Headlights
Daytime Running Lights .............
52
High Beam Indicator ................... 46
High Beams, Turning on ............ 51
Low Beams, Turning on ............. 51
Reminder Tone ............................ 51
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 195
Turning on .................................... 51
Heating and Cooling System .......... 86
High Altitude, Starting at.. ............ 132
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 51
High Speed, Shifting at ................. 134
Hood Latch ..................................... 17 4
Hood, Opening
the ........................ 118
Hot Coolant, Warning about ........ 161
Hydraulic Clutch ............................ 171
Hydroplaning .................................. 141
I
Identification Number,
Vehicle ........................................
242
If Your Car has to be Towed ........ 238
Ignition
Keys ...............................................
58
Switch ............................................ 60
Timing Control System ............. 251
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel .............................................. 43
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 185
Inside Mirror .................................... 79