towing HONDA S2000 2009 2.G Owners Manual

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition to the ON (II) position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to pagef or more inf ormation. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
repair the f lat tire with the tire repair
kit (see page ), and have the flat
tire repaired as soon as possible. If
two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page
f or more inf ormation.
201
154 154
228 228
206
CR models
Except CR modelsLow Tire Pressure
Indicator Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
51
2009 S2000

µµ·
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

........................
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

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Towing a Trailer
Driving
157
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

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