manual transmission HONDA S2000 2003 1.G Owners Manual

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 car, and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive .134
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .136
....
6-speed Manual Transmission . 137
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 138
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 138
.......................
Reverse Lockout .138
...........................................
Parking .139
.....................
The Braking System .140
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 140
...............
Brake System Design . 141
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .141
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .142
........................
ABS Indicator .143
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 144
...........................
Towing a Trailer .145
Driving
Driving133

The manual transmission is synchro-
nizedinallforwardgearsforsmooth
operation. It has a lockout so you
cannot shift directly from Fifth to
Reverse instead of Sixth (see page). When shif ting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shif ting, do not
rest your f oot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause your clutch to wear
out f aster. Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
138
Driving
6-speed Manual T ransmission
137
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
f uel economy and ef f ective emis-
sions control. The f ollowing shif t
points are recommended:Shif t Up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th
5th to 6th Normal Acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
47 mph (75 km/h)
52 mph (83 km/h) If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
With the clutch pedal depressed,
move the shift lever to the Reverse
side of the Neutral gate. Then push
the shif t lever down and shif t to
Reverse. The 6-speed manual transmission
has a lockout so you cannot
accidentally shif t f rom Fif th to
Reverse instead of Sixth.
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
Reverse L ockout
6-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving138

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .148
.
Important Safety Precautions . 149
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 150
...
Required Maintenance Record . 157
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 159
..............................
Fluid Locations .160
......................................
Engine Oil .161
..................................
Adding Oil .161
....................
Recommended Oil .161
..............................
Synthetic Oil .162
....................................
Additives .162
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 163
.............................
Cooling System .165
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 165
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 167
....................
Windshield Washers .171
6-speed Manual Transmission ...........................................
Fluid .172
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .173
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 174
............................
Brake System .174
...........................
Clutch System .175
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .176
....................................
Hood Latch .178 ....................................
Spark Plugs .178
..............................
Replacement .178
............................
Specif ications .180
...........................................
Battery .181
.................................
Wiper Blades .184
..............
Air Conditioning System . 186
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 187
.......................................
Drive Belt .188
...............................................
Tires .189
......................................
Inf lation .189
..................................
Inspection .191
..............................
Maintenance .192
.............................
Tire Rotation .192
...................................
Tire Wear .192
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 193
......................
Wheels and Tires .194
..........................
Winter Driving .194
.............................
Snow Tires .195
............................
Tire Chains .195
.............................................
Lights .196
.....................
Headlight Aiming .198
........................
Replacing Bulbs .198
...........................
Storing Your Car .206
267
Maintenance
Maint enance147

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Maint enance
6-speed Manual T ransmission Fluid
172
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT

Î
Î
Î
Î
T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
250
Engine Dimensions
WeightsCapacities
162.0 in (4,115 mm)
68.9 in (1,750 mm)
50.6 in (1,285 mm)
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
59.4 in (1,510 mm) 13.2 US gal (50
)
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs 121.8 cu-in (1,997 cm
)
11.0 : 1 1.72 US gal (6.5
)
2.01 US gal (7.6)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb. Fuel tank
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Manual
transmission
fluid
Differential
oil
Windshield
washer
reservoir5.1 US qt (4.8
)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
5.9 US qt (5.6)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
1.7 US qt (1.6)
0.78 US qt (0.74
)
0.81 US qt (0.77)
2.7 US qt (2.6)
4.4 US qt (4.2)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
3.43 x 3.31 in (87.0 x 84.0 mm)
See the spark plug maintenance
section, page 180 .
Front
Rear
1:
2:Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canadian Cars
1
2
Including filter
Without filter

..............................
Economy, Fuel .125
............
Emergencies on the Road . 217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 226
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 219
.....
Charging System Indicator . 233
..................
Checking the Fuses . 239
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .163
......................................
When to .150
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 167
...
Charging System Indicator . 46,233
...............
Check Engine Light . 47,234
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 134
.....................................
Child Saf ety .18
.......................................
Child Seats .22
...................................
Cleaner, Air .176
.........................................
Cleaning .207
....................
Aluminum Wheels .210
...................................
Carpeting .211
......................................
Exterior .208
.................................
Floor Mats .211
.......................................
Interior .211
.......................................
Leather .212
...................................
Seat Belts .212
...........................................
Vinyl .212
....................................
Windows .213
...................................
Clutch Fluid .175
........................
CO in the Exhaust .257
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 136
......................
Compact Spare Tire .218
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 43..............................
Convertible Top .72
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 77
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 72
................................
Maintenance .78
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 75
Coolant ........................................
Adding .165
....................................
Checking .124
.........................
Proper Solution .165
...................
Temperature Gauge . 49
....................
Corrosion Protection .213
Crankcase Emission Control ........................................
System .257
............
Cruise Control Operation . 115
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .264
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .44
................
Daytime Running Lights . 54
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 266
................
Def rosting the Windows . 91
....................................
Dimensions .250
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 53Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil .123
..........................
Directional Signals .55
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 140
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .164
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 145
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 62
..............................
Monitor Light .47
......................
Power Door Locks .62
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 252
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .138
...........................................
Driving .133
....................................
Economy .125
.........................
In Bad Weather .144
................
In Foreign Countries . 256
Index
D
E
II

CONT INUED
...
Closing the Convertible Top . 237
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 232
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 234
..................
Overheated Engine . 229
...........................
Emergency Brake .81
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 67
.......................
Emissions Controls .257
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 260
Engine ...........
Check Engine Light . 47,234
Compartment, Checking ......................................
in the .122
.......................................
Coolant .124
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 49
...................................
Drive Belt .188
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .47, 234
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 161
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .250
............................
Speed Limiter .138
.......................................
Starting .135
.........
Engine Cover, Opening the . 122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .255 ...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 257
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 208
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .212
.....................................
Fan, Interior .86
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .85
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
Filters ...............................................
Oil .163
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 80
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 219
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .174
.........................................
Clutch .175
..............
Manual Transmission . 172
..................
Windshield Washer . 171
........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 103
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 256
..........................
Four-way Flashers .80 .................................................
Fuel .120
......................
Fill Door and Cap .121
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
...............................
Oxygenated .255
........................
Reserve Indicator .48
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 125
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 121
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .239
..........................................
Gasohol .255
.........................................
Gasoline .120
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
Index
F
G
III

..................................................
Keys .58
.............................................
Gauges .49
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 49
...............................................
Fuel .50
...............................
Speedometer .49
.................................
Tachometer .49
Gearshif t Lever Positions 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .137
..............................
Glass Cleaning .213
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 198
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 80
Headlights ............
Daytime Running Lights . 54
..................
High Beam Indicator . 48
...........................
Reminder Tone .53
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 198
...................................
Turning on .53
.........
Heating and Cooling System . 86
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 136
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 53
................
High Speed, Shif ting at . 138
....................................
Hood Latch .178
.......................
Hood, Opening the .122 ...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .175
.................................
Hydroplaning .145
.......................
Jacking Up the Car .220
.......................................
Jack, Tire .219 ................................
Jump Starting .226
Identif ication Number, .......................................
Vehicle .248
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .58
...........................................
Switch .60
............
Timing Control System . 258
Indicator Lights, Instrument .............................................
Panel .45
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 189
...................................
Inside Mirror .80
.............................
Inspection, Tire .191
............................
Instrument Panel .44
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 54
...........................
Interior Cleaning .211
.................................
Interior Lights .83
........................................
Introduction .i .......................
Label, Certif ication .248
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 55
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .33
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .212
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .198
.......................................
Indicator .45
..................................
Turn Signal .55
.....................................
Load Limit .129
...............................
Loading Cargo .128
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 60
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 60
............................
Fuel Fill Door .121
.................................
Power Door .62
...........................................
Trunk .66
........................
Low Coolant Level .124
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 138
Index
H I
JK
L
IV

CONT INUED
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .48
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 250
.........................................
Luggage .128
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 120
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .138
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 248
..................................
Maintenance .147
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 159
........................................
Record .157
....................................
Schedule .150
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 51
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 47,234
...................
Manual Transmission . 137
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 172
...............................
Meters, Gauges .49
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 255
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .80 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 120
.........................................
Odometer .50
...............................
Odometer, Trip .51
Oil ........................
Change, How to .163
......................
Change, When to .150
......................
Checking Engine .123
..............
Pressure Indicator . 46,232
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .162
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 61
.........................
Opening the Trunk .66
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 256
..............................
Outside Mirrors .80
....................
Overheating, Engine .229
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
..............................
Paint Touch-up .210
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 54
.................................
Parking Brake .81
.................................
Parking Lights .53
.............................
PGM-FI System .258 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 209
Power ..................................
Door Locks .62
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 250
.........................................
Mirrors .80
......................................
Windows .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .18
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 29
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
...................
Radiator Overheating . 229
.......................
Radio Sound System .94
...................
Readiness Codes . 235,260
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 202
............................
Rear View Mirror .80
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 69
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 138
Index
M
N O
P
R
V