warning HONDA S2000 2002 1.G Owners Manual

A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passenger always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page ).
Since all children are saf est in the
back seat of a car, and your car does
not have a back seat, we recommend
that you do not carry a child
passenger.If a small child who
must be restrained in a f orward-
f acing child seat, or a larger child,
must ride in this car, be sure to
f ollow all instructions and saf ety
warnings in this manual. (See pages and .)
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page .)
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
15 26 29
7 152
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Due t o t he passenger’s airbag hazard, you should never
carry an inf ant in a rear-f acing childseat in t his car.
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Don’t Drink and Drive Control Your Speed
K eep Your Car in Saf e Condition
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Your Car is Not Recommended
f or Child Passengers
6

To remind you of the passenger’s
airbag hazards, your car has warning
labels on the dashboard and on the
driver’s and passenger’s visors.
Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.To remind you of the airbag hazards,
your car has warning labels on the
driver’s and passenger’s visors.
Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Children
U.S. Models Canadian Models
21

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 42
...............................
Indicator Lights . 43
.............................................
Gauges . 47
...............................
Speedometer . 47
...............................
Select Button . 47
.................................
Tachometer . 47
...................
Temperature Gauge . 47
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 48
.....................................
Odometer . 48
...................................
Trip Meter . 48
Maintenance Required
...................................
Indicator . 49
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel . 50
...................................
Headlights . 51
............
Daytime Running Lights . 52
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 52
................................
Turn Signals . 53
.....................
Windshield Wipers . 53
..................
Windshield Washers . 54
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 55
...............................
Keys and Locks . 56
..............................................
Keys . 56
....................
Immobilizer System . 57
............................
Ignition Switch . 58
......................
Power Door Locks . 60 ...................
Remote Transmitter . 61
...........................................
Trunk . 64
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 65
.............
Console Compartments . 66
............................
Seat Adjustments . 67
..............................
Power Windows . 68
..............................
Convertible Top . 70
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 70
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 73
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 75
................................
Maintenance . 76
..............................
Hazard Warning . 78
.............................................
Mirrors . 78
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 78
.................................
Parking Brake . 79
.............................
Beverage Holder . 80
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 80
......................................
Audio Panel . 80
.................................
Interior Lights . 81
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols 41

The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash. This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
51 55
198
57
Canadian models only
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rolsTurn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Beam Indicator ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
46

µ
To change the angle of the seat-back,
pull up on the lever on the outside of
the seat bottom. Move the seat-back
to the desired position and release
the lever. Let the seat-back latch in
the new position.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
To adjust the seat forward and
backward, pull up on the lever under
the seat cushion’s f ront edge. Move
the seat to the desired position and
releasethelever.Trytomovethe
seat to make sure it is locked in
position.
See pages f or important saf etyinf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 12 13
Seat A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67

Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night
positions. The night position reduces
glare f rom headlights behind you.
Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.Adjust the outside mirrors with the
adjustment switch on the driver’s
door armrest:
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
Push the red button next to the roof
switch to turn on the hazard warning
lights (f our-way f lashers). This
causes all f our outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to f lash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in
a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled.
1. 2.
Mirrors Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Hazard Warning
Hazard Warning, Mirrors
Inst rument s and Cont rols
78
TTAABBAADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTTSSWWIITTCCHH
SSEELLEECCTTOORRSSWWIITTCCHH

µCheck your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothercars.The
spray f rom large cars reduces your
visibility, and the wind buf f eting can
cause you to lose control.Your car is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Driving
Traction
Towing a Trailer
Driving in Bad Weather, Towing a Trailer
147

Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
183
TTEESSTTIINNDDIICCAATTOORRWWIINNDDOOWW

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Lift up the tool
box lid and take the jack, wheel
wrench, and extension out of the
tool box.
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.
Park the car on f irm, level, non-
slippery ground away f rom traf f ic.
Put the transmission in Reverse.
Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have your passenger
get out of the car while you
change the tire.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, which will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when this spare is
mounted on your vehicle. 3.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
221
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyoneunderneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
Use the jack that came on your car. If
you try to raise another car by this jack
or use another jack to raise your car,
the car or jack can be damaged.

There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
Do you have f uel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the f uel gauge.
The low f uel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to f ill the tank.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the car from a booster
battery (see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you press the
ENGINE START button, but the
engine does not run.
183
228 241
247
137
T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency
Towing
Starting the
Engine
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 227