tow HONDA S2000 2009 2.G User Guide

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse.
Vehicle Storage
198
2009 S2000

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation 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 f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .200
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .201
....................
Repairing a Flat Tire .206
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .212
................................
Jump Starting .214
..............
If the Engine Overheats .215
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .218
..........
Charging System Indicator .218
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .219
...............
Brake System Indicator .220
.......
Closing the Convertible Top .221
..............................................
Fuses .222
..........
Checking and Replacing .223
..............................
Fuse Locations .226
......................
Emergency Towing .228
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .228
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
199
2009 S2000

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place, set the parking
brake, and thoroughly examine the
tire f or a puncture or other damage.
If a puncture is wider than 3/16ths
of an inch (4 mm), or outside of the
tire tread, do not attempt to repair
the tire. Have your vehicle towed to
a Honda service center.
If the damage is smaller than
3/16ths of an inch (4 mm) and
within the tire tread, proceed with
the f ollowing instructions.
When making a temporary repair,
caref ully f ollow all instructions in
this owner’s manual and in the
instructions that came with the kit. The wheel rim is not damaged.
The puncture is located within the
tread.
The puncture is smaller than
3/16ths of an inch (4 mm).
Only one tire is f lat.
To reduce weight, your vehicle is
equipped with a tire repair kit
instead of a spare tire. This kit will
allow you to temporarily repair a f lat
tire under the f ollowing conditions:
Position the vehicle so the tire
valve on the flat tire is at the top of
the wheel, then remove the tire
valve cap.
1.
CR models only
Repairing a Flat T ire
HowtoUsetheTireRepairKit
206
TIRE VALVE
VALVE CAP
2009 S2000

CONT INUED
Open the trunk and remove the
tire repair kit.Your tire repair kit contains:
An air pump with a power cord
andanairhoseattached. Remove the sealant bottle and
check the expiration date on the
label. If the date has expired, do
not continue. Have your vehicle
towed to the nearest Honda
service center.
If thedatehasnotexpired,shake
the bottle thoroughly and proceed
to step 4.
A bottle of sealant with a f iller
hose attached.
An instruction sheet.
Twolabels,oneforthetirewheel
and one f or the instrument panel. 3.
2.
Repairing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
207
TOOL BOX LID
TIRE REPAIR KIT EXPIRATION DATE
2009 S2000

Remove the tire valve cap, screw the
air pump hose onto the tire valve,
and check the air gauge. (You do not
need to attach the power cord or
turn the air pump switch on.)If the pressure is at 32 psi, continue
driving to the nearest service station.
In any case, be sure to have the
damaged tire permanently repaired
or replaced as soon as possible.
Remember to return the tire sealant
bottle to your Honda service center
f or proper disposal.
If the pressure is lower than 32 psi
and higher than 19 psi, use the air
pump to bring air to the desired level
as described in step 10. Then drive
to the nearest service station.
If the pressure is below 19 psi, do not
continue. Have the vehicle towed
(see page ).
228
Repairing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
211
AIR PUMP HOSE TIRE VALVE
VALVE CAP
2009 S2000

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving. If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral,
and set the parking brake. Turn
of f the all accessories, and turn on
the hazard warning lights. If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(seeon
page ).
2. 1.
3. 4.
5.
6.
173 228
Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine Coolant
If theEngineOverheats
216
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
2009 S2000

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
9.
8.
7. 10.
11.228
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
2009 S2000

If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, and as a reminder
to check the parking brake. It will
stay on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
178 228Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
220
Canada
U.S.
2009 S2000

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous
column).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchors in the front and rear
bumpers.To use the towing hook:
Remove the cover f rom the
bumper.
Using the wheel nut wrench,
fasten the extension into the bolt
hole in the anchor.
Remove the towing hook, hook
extension, and wheel nut wrench
f rom the tool box.
1.
2.
3.
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
228
2009 S2000

Screw the towing hook into the
extension, and tighten it securely
using the wheel nut wrench.
4.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
229
TIRE WHEEL WRENCH
To avoid damage to your vehicle, use
the towing hook f or straight, f lat
ground towing only. Do not tow at an
angle. The tow hook should not be used
to tow the vehicle onto a f lat bed. Do
not use it as a tie down.
2009 S2000