Honda S2000 2006 Owner's Manual

2006 S2000 Online Reference Owner's Manual

Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i

A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii

Your Vehicle at a Glance.....................................................................................................................3

Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................5

Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.

Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................43

Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.

Comfort and Convenience Features .............................................................................................. 81

How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.

Before Driving..................................................................................................................................107

What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

Driving ..............................................................................................................................................119

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.

Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................131

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.

Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................169

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.

Technical Information.....................................................................................................................193

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................205

A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................209

How to order manuals and other technical literature.

Index...................................................................................................................................................... I

Service Information Summary

A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Introduction

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Congratulations on your selection of the 2006 Honda S2000. We are certain
you will be pleased with your purchase of one of the most sophisticated and
technologically-advanced sports cars in the world.

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.

Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.

Maintaining your vehicle according to the messages shown on the
information display helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer’s staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will
be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.

As you read this manual, you will
find inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING:

This product contains
or emits chemicals known to the
state of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

Event Data Recorders

This vehicle is equipped with one or
more recording devices commonly
referred to as event data recorders
or sensing and diagnostic modules.

i

AFewWordsAboutSafety

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Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.

To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.

ii

You will f ind this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:

Safety Labels
Safety Messages

three signal words: , , or .

−

on the vehicle.

−

preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of

DANGER WARNING CAUTION

These signal words mean:

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Safety Headings

−

such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

Safety Precautions.

Safety Section
Instructions

This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it

−

such as Driver and Passenger Safety.

−

how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.

−

carefully.

Your Vehicle at a Glance

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INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
GAUGES

DRIVER’S AIRBAG

(P.9, 20)

POWER DOOR
LOCK
(P.63)

POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.68)

MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P.75)

(P.51)

(P.46)

ROOF SWITCH
(P.71)

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
(P.26)

REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P.59)

PASSENGER’S AIRBAG
(P.9, 20)

AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.86)

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P.123)

HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
(P.58)

Y our V ehicle at a Glance

3

Your Vehicle at a Glance

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REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
(P.101)

ENGINE START BUTTON
(P.122)

HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P.57)

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.110)

4

CLOCK SET
BUTTON
(P.54)

INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS

(P.58)

CRUISE BUTTON
(P.103)

VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
(VSA) SYSTEM OFF SWITCH
(P.129)

HEATING AND AIR
CONDITIONING
(P.82)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS
(P.56)

CRUISE CONTROL
(P.103)

HORN

Driver and Passenger Saf ety

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This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passenger. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
children in your vehicle.

.........Important Safety Precautions . 6

.......Your Vehicle’s Safety Features . 7

.......................................Seat Belts . 8

...........................................Airbags . 9

.........Protecting Adults and Teens . 10

.....1. Close and Lock the Doors . 10

......................2. Adjust the Seats . 10

............3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 11

4. Fasten and Position the

.............................Seat Belts . 12

5. Maintain a Proper Sitting

................................Position . 13

.....Advice for Pregnant Women . 14

...Additional Safety Precautions . 15

Additional Information About

.......................Your Seat Belts . 16

..Seat Belt System Components . 16

......................Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17

Automatic Seat Belt

...............................Tensioners . 18

...............Seat Belt Maintenance . 18

Additional Information About Your

.....................................Airbags . 20

......Airbag System Components . 20

How Your Front Airbags

.........................................Work . 22

How the Passenger Airbag Off

......................Indicator Works . 26

.............................Airbag Service . 27

Protecting Children General

−

....................................Guidelines . 28

All Children Must Be

...............................Restrained . 28

Your Vehicle is Not

Recommended f or Child

..........................Passengers . 29

The Passenger’s Airbag Poses

...........................Serious Risks . 29

.............Protecting Small Children . 32

.....................Selecting a Child Seat . 33

....................Installing a Child Seat . 33

...........Protecting Larger Children . 36

...............Checking Seat Belt Fit . 36

..................Using a Booster Seat . 37

When Can a Child Ride in This

.....................................Vehicle . 38

.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 40

...................................Safety Labels . 41

..How the SRS Indicator Works . 25

Driver and Passenger Safety

...Additional Safety Precautions . 27

...Additional Safety Precautions . 31

...Additional Safety Precautions . 39

5

Important Saf ety Precautions

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You’ll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passenger

always wear your seat belts, and

wear them properly (see page ).

12

Your Vehicle is Not
Recommended for Child
Passengers

Since all children are safest in the
back seat of a vehicle, and your
vehicle does not have a back seat, we
recommend that you do not carry a
child passenger.

6

Due to the passenger’s airbag hazard,
you should never carry an infant in a
rear-facing child seat in this vehicle.

If an older child must ride in this
vehicle, follow all child safety
instructions and warnings in this

manual (see pages ).

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28 40

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards

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.
Infants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.

Don’t Drink and Drive

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 friends
drink and drive, either.

Control Your Speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
faster than is safe for current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.

Keep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition

Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical failure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition frequently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).

139

(1) (9)

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(8)

(8)

(3)

(4) (7) (6)

(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Seat Belt Tensioners

(2)

(8) Airbags
(9) Door Locks

(5)

Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passenger
during a crash.

Some features do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel framework that forms a
safety cage around the passenger
compartment; front and rear crush
zones, a collapsible steering column;
and tensioners that tighten the seat

(2)

belts in a crash.

However, you and your passenger
can’t take full advantage of these
features unless you remain sitting in
a proper position and

your seat belts

. In fact, some safety

always wear

features can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.

The f ollowing pages explain how you
cantakeanactiveroleinprotecting
yourself and your passenger.

Driver and Passenger Safety

7

Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features

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Seat Belts

Your vehicle is equipped with seat
belts in both seating positions.

Your seat belt system also includes
an indicator on the instrument panel
to remind you and your passenger to
fasten your seat belts.

Why Wear Seat Belts

Seat belts have proven to be the
singlemosteffectivesafetydevice
for adults and larger children.

Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle has airbags.

In addition, most states and all
Canadian provinces require you to
wear seat belts.

8

Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle has airbags.

Be sure you and your
passenger always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Keep you connected to the vehicle
so you can take advantage of the
vehicle’s built-in safety features.

Help protect you in almost every
type of crash, including frontal,
side, and rear impacts and
rollovers.

Help keep you from being thrown
against the inside of the vehicle
and against a passenger.

Keep you from being thrown out
of the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good position
should the airbags ever deploy. A
good position reduces the risk of
injury from an inf lating airbag and
allows you to get the best
advantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannot
completely protect you in every
crash.Butinmostcases,seatbelts
can reduce your risk of serious
injury.

What you should do:

Always wear
your seat belt, and make sure you
wear it properly.

Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features

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Airbags

Your vehicle has a Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) with front
airbags to help protect the heads and
chests of the driver and a passenger
during a moderate to severe frontal
collision (see page for more

22

information on how your airbags
work).

The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:

Airbags do not replace seat belts.

They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.

Front airbags offer no protection
in side impacts, rear impacts,
rollovers, or minor collisions.

Airbags can pose serious hazards.

To do their job, airbags must
inflate with tremendous force. So
while airbags help save lives, they
can cause minor injuries or more
serious or even fatal injuries if
occupants are not properly
restrained or sitting properly.

What you should do:

Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as far back from the
steering wheel as possible while
allowing full control of the vehicle. A
passenger should move the seat as
far back from the dashboard as
possible.

The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation about how you
can maximize your safety.

Remember, however, that no safety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in a severe
crash, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.

9

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults and Teens

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The following pages provide
instructions on how to properly
protect the driver, an adult
passenger or teenage child large
enough and mature enough to drive
or ride in your vehicle. See pages

−

28 40

how to properly protect a small or
larger child.

After everyone has entered the
vehicle, be sure the doors are closed
and locked.

Your vehicle has door and trunk
monitor indicators on the instrument
panel to indicate when either door or
the trunk is not tightly closed.

for important guidelines on

Close and Lock the Doors1.

Locking the doors reduces the
chance of someone being thrown out
of the vehicle during a crash, and it
helps prevent a passenger from
accidentally opening a door and
falling out.

Locking the doors also helps prevent
an outsider from unexpectedly
opening a door when you come to a
stop.

See page for how to lock the
doors, and page for how the door-

63

47

open indicator works.

Adjust the SeatsIntroduction

2.

Adjust the driver’s seat as far to the
rear as possible while allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Have a passenger adjust his or her
seat as far to the rear as possible.

If you sit too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard, you can be
seriously injured by an inflating
airbag, or by striking the steering
wheel or dashboard.

10

Protecting Adults and Teens

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The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
allow at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the center of the steering
wheel and the chest.

If you cannot get far enough away
from the steering wheel and still
reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some
type of adaptive equipment may help.

Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and forth to make sure
the seat is locked in position.

See page for how to adjust the

67

seats.

Sitting too close to a front
airbag can result in serious
injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the
front airbags as possible.

Adjust the Seat-Backs3.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a
comfortable, upright position,
leaving ample space between your
chest and the airbag cover in the
center of the steering wheel.

A passenger should also adjust their
seat-back to a comfortable, upright
position.

CONTINUED

11

Protecting Adults and Teens

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Reclining a seat-back so that the
shoulder part of the belt no longer
rests against the occupant’s chest
reduces the protective capability of
the belt. It also increases the chance
of sliding under the belt in a crash
and being seriously injured. The
farther a seat-back is reclined, the
greater the risk of injury.

Fasten and Position the Seat

4.
Belts

Insert the latch plate into the buckle,
then tug on the belt to make sure the
belt is securely latched. Check that
the belt is not twisted, because a
twisted belt can cause serious
injuries in a crash.

See page for how to adjust the

67

seat-backs.

Reclining the seat-back too far
can result in serious injury or
death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an
upright position, and sit well
back in the seat.

12

Position the lap part of the belt as
low as possible across your hips,
then pull up on the shoulder part of
thebeltsothelappartfitssnugly.
This lets your strong pelvic bones
take the force of a crash and reduces
the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again

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to remove any slack, then check that
the belt rests across the center of

If a seat belt does not seem to work
properly, it may not protect the

occupant in a crash.
your chest and over your shoulder.
This spreads the forces of a crash
over the strongest bones in your
upper body.

No one should sit in a seat with an

inoperative seat belt.

belt that is not working properly can

result in serious injury or death.

Never place the shoulder portion of a
lap/shoulder belt under your arm or
behind your back.

This could cause

very serious injuries in a crash. 18

Have your dealer check the belt as

soon as possible.

See page for additional

information about your seat belts

and how to take care of them.

Improperly positioning the seat
belts can cause serious injury
or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are
properly positioned before
driving.

Using a seat

Protecting Adults and Teens

Maintain a Proper Sitting

5.
Position

After occupants have adjusted their
seats and put on seat belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
off.

Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both feet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.

Driver and Passenger Safety

CONTINUED

13

Protecting Adults and Teens

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In addition, an occupant who is out of
position can be seriously or fatally
injured in a crash by striking interior
parts of the vehicle or being struck
by an inflating front airbag.

Sitting improperly or out of
position can result in serious
injury or death.

Always sit upright, well back in
the seat, with your feet on the
floor.

14

Advice for Pregnant Women

protect yourself and your unborn
child when driving or riding in a
vehicle is to always wear a seat belt,
and keep the lap part of the belt as
low as possible across the hips.

When driving, remember to sit
upright and adjust the seat as far
back as possible while allowing full
control of the vehicle. When riding
as a passenger, adjust the seat as far
back as possible.

This will reduce the risk of injuries
to both you and your unborn child
that can be caused by a crash or an
inflating front airbag.

Each time you have a checkup, ask
your doctor if it’s okay for you to
drive.If you are pregnant, the best way to

Protecting Adults and Teens

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Additional Safety Precautions

Two people should never use the
same seat belt.

If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.

Do not put any accessories on seat
belts.

Devices intended to improve
occupant comfort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
reduce the protective capability of
thebeltandincreasethechanceof
serious injury in a crash.

Do not place hard or sharp objects
between yourself and a f ront
airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp object in
your mouth, can result in injuries
if your front airbag inflates.

Do not attach or place objects on
the f ront airbag covers.

Objects on
the covers marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’
could interf ere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone if the airbags inf late.

Keep your hands and arms away
from the airbag covers.

If your
hands or arms are close to an
airbag cover, they could be injured
if the airbag inflates.

15

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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Seat Belt System Components

Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in both seating
positions. The seat belts are also
equipped with automatic seat belt
tensioners.

The seat belt system

includes an indicator on the
instrument panel and a beeper to
remind you and your passenger to
fasten your seat belts.

This system monitors the seat belts.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before your seat
belt is fastened, the beeper will
sound and the indicator will flash. If
your seat belt is not fastened bef ore
the beeper stops, the indicator will
stop flashing but remain on.

16

If a passenger does not fasten their
seat belt, the indicator will come on
about 6 seconds after the ignition
switch is turned to the ON (II)
position.

Ifeitherthedriverorpassengerdoes
not fasten their seat belt while
driving, the beeper will sound and
the indicator will flash again at
regular intervals.

When no one is sitting in the
passenger’s seat, or a small child is
riding there, the indicator will not
come on and the beeper will not
sound.

The seat belts use the same
monitoring system as the airbags.
The system may not work properly
under these conditions:

Placing heavy items on the
passenger’s seat.

The passenger is not sitting
properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer if the indicator comes on or
the beeper sounds when there is no
passenger or objects on the seat.

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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Lap/Shoulder Belt

The lap and shoulder belt goes over
your shoulder, across your chest,
and across your hips.

To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is
latched (see page for how to

12

properly position the belt).

To unlock the belt, press the red
PRESSbuttononthebuckle.Guide
the belt across your body so that it
retracts completely. After exiting the
vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the
way and will not get closed in the
door.

Both seat belts have an emergency
retractor. In normal driving, the
retractor lets you move freely in your
seat while it keeps some tension on
the belt. During a collision or sudden
stop, the retractor automatically
locks the belt to help restrain your
body.

The passenger’s seat belt has an
additional locking mechanism that
must be activated to secure a
forward-facing child seat (see page

).

34

If the shoulder part of the belt is
pulled all the way out, the locking
mechanism will activate. The belt
will retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely.

To deactivate the locking
mechanism, unlatch the buckle and
let the seat belt fully retract. To
refasten the seat belt, pull it out only
as far as needed.

Driver and Passenger Safety

17

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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For added protection, the seat belts
are equipped with automatic seat
belt tensioners. When activated, the
tensioners immediately tighten the
beltstohelpholdthedriveranda
passenger in place.

18

The tensioners are designed to
activate primarily in frontal collisions,
andtheyshouldactivateinany
collision severe enough to cause
airbag inflation.

However, the tensioners can be
activated during a collision in which
the front airbags do not deploy. In
this case, the airbags would not be
needed, but the additional restraint
could be helpful.

When the tensioners are activated,
the seat belts will remain tight until
they are unbuckled in the normal
manner.

If the seat belt tensioners ever
activate, they must be replaced,
because the belts would no longer
retract properly.

Seat Belt MaintenanceAutomatic Seat Belt Tensioners

For safety, you should check the
condition of your seat belts regularly.

Pull each belt out fully and look for
frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check
that the latches work smoothly and
the belts retract easily. If a belt does
not retract easily, cleaning it may
correct the problem (see page ).

157

Any belt that is not in good condition
or not working properly will not
provide good protection and should
be replaced as soon as possible.

Honda provides a lifetime warranty
on seat belts for U.S. models. See

Honda Warranty Information

your
booklet for details.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash,
it must be replaced by your dealer. A
belt that has been worn during a
crash may not provide the same level
of protection in a subsequent crash.

The dealer should also inspect the

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anchors for damage and replace
them if needed. If the automatic seat
belt tensioners activate during a
crash, they must be replaced.

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Not checking or maintaining
seat belts can result in serious
injury or death if the seat belts
do not work properly when
needed.

Check your seat belts regularly
and have any problem
corrected as soon as possible.

Driver and Passenger Safety

19

Additional Information About Your Airbags

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Airbag System Components

(1) Driver’s Airbag
(2) Passenger’s Airbag
(3) Control Unit
(4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners
(5) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor
(6) Passenger’s Weight Sensors
(7) Passenger’s Weight Sensor Unit
(8) Front Impact Sensors
(9) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

20

(1)

(3)

(8)

(5)

(6)

(2)

(7)

(9)

(4)

(4)

(6)

Additional Information About Your Airbags

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Your airbag system includes:

Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the passenger’s
airbag is stored in the dashboard.
Both are marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG.’’

Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ).

18

Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe front impact.

Sensors that can detect whether a
child is in the passenger’s airbag
path and signal the control unit to
turn the airbag off (see page ).

A driver’s seat position sensor that
monitors the distance of the seat
from the airbag. If the seat is too
far forward, the airbag will inflate
with less force (see page ).

24

24

Weight sensors and unit that
monitor the weight on the
passenger’s seat. These
automatically turn off the
passenger’s airbag if they detect
an infant or small child may be in
theseat(seepage ).

24

A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records information about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, the seat belt
tensioners, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position.

An indicator on the instrument
panel that alerts you to a possible
problem with your airbags,
sensors, or seat belt tensioners
(see page ).

25

An indicator on the dashboard that
alerts you that the passenger’s
airbag has been turned off (see

page ).

26

Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.

21

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Airbags

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How Your Front Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to
severe frontal collision, sensors will
detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration.

If the rate of deceleration is high
enough, the control unit will instantly
inflate the driver’s and passenger’s
airbags, at the time and with the
force needed.

22

During a frontal crash, your seat belt
restrains your lower body and torso,
and the airbag helps protect your
head and chest.

Although both airbags normally
inflate within a split second of each
other, it is possible for only one
airbag to deploy.

This can happen if the severity of a
collision is at the margin, or
threshold, that determines whether
or not the airbags will deploy. In
such cases, the seat belt will provide
sufficient protection, and the
supplemental protection offered by
the airbag would be minimal.

Only the driver’s airbag will deploy if
there is no passenger in the
passenger’s seat, or if the advanced
airbag system has turned the
passenger’s airbag off (see page ).

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After inflating, the airbags will
immediately deflate, so they won’t
interfere with the driver’s visibility,
or the ability to steer or operate
other controls.

The total time for inflation and
deflation is one-tenth of a second, so
fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until
they see them lying in their laps.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

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After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder from the airbag’s surface.
Although the powder is not harmful,
people with respiratory problems
mayexperiencesometemporary
discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is saf e to do
so.

Your airbags are dual-stage airbags.
This means they have two inflation
stages that can be ignited
sequentially or simultaneously,
depending on crash severity.

more severe

In a crash, both stages
will ignite simultaneously to provide
the quickest and greatest protection.

less severe

In a crash, one stage will
ignite first, then the second stage
will ignite a split second later. This
provides longer airbag inflation time
with a little less force.

Dual-Threshold AirbagsDual-Stage Airbags

Your airbags are also dual-threshold
airbags. Airbags with this feature
have two deployment thresholds that
depend on whether or not the
occupant is wearing a seat belt.

If the occupant’s belt is ,

not latched

the airbag will deploy at a slightly
lower threshold, because the
occupant would need extra
protection.

If the occupant’s belt is , the

latched

airbag will inf late at a slightly higher
threshold, when the airbag would be
needed to supplement the protection
provided by the seat belt.

23

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Airbags

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Advanced Airbags

Your airbags are also advanced
airbags. The main purpose of this
feature is to help prevent airbag­caused injuries to short drivers and
children who ride in the passenger’s
seat.

For both advanced airbags to work
properly:

Occupants must sit upright and
wear their seat belts properly.

The driver’s advanced airbag system
Do not spill any liquids on or
under the seats, cover the sensors,
or put any cargo or metal objects
under the seats.

Failure to follow these instructions
could damage the sensors or prevent
them from working properly.

includes a seat position sensor under

the seat. If the seat is too far forward,

the airbag will inflate with less force,

regardless of the severity of the

impact.

If there is a problem with the sensor,

the SRS indicator will come on, and

the airbag will inflate in the normal

manner regardless of the driver’s

seating position.

DRIVER’S
SEAT
POSITION
SENSOR

PASSENGER’S
SEAT WEIGHT
SENSOR

The passenger’s advanced airbag
system has weight sensors and unit
under the seat. If the sensors detect
an infant or small child may be in the
seat, the system will automatically
turn the passenger’s airbag off.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

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When the airbag is turned off, an
indicator in the center of the
dashboard will come on indicating
passenger airbag ‘‘OFF’’ (see page

).

If there is no passenger in the front
seat, the airbag will be off. However,
the passenger airbag off indicator
will not come on.

To ensure that the passenger’s
advanced front airbag system will
work properly,

that would increase or decrease the
weight on the front passenger’s seat.

do not do anything

This includes:

Moving the front seat forcibly
back against cargo on the seat or
floor behind it.

Hanging heavy items on the

passenger seat, or placing heavy

items in the seat-back pocket.

How the SRS Indicator Works

The SRS indicator alerts

you to a potential problem
with your airbags or seat belt
tensioners (see page ).

1826

When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on briefly then goes off. This
tells you the system is working
properly.

If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example:

If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoffwhileyoudrive.

CONTINUED

25

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Airbags

Main Menu

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If you see any of these indications,
the airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when you
need them.

Ignoring the SRS indicator can
result in serious injury or death
if the airbag systems or
tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS indicator alerts you to
a possible problem.

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How the Passenger Airbag Off
Indicator Works

U. S. Canada

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

This indicator alerts you that the
passenger’s airbag has been shut off
because weight sensors detect an
infant or small child may be in the
passenger’s seat. It does

not mean

there is a problem with the airbag.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on briefly then goes off.

If no one is riding in the passenger’s
seat, the airbag will be automatically
shut off. However, the indicator will
not come on.

If the indicator comes on with no
passenger in the seat, or with an
adult in the seat, there may be a
problem with the advanced airbag
system. Have the vehicle checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.

The passenger airbag of f indicator
may also come on and off repeatedly
if total weight on the seat is near the
airbag cutoff threshold.

If this happens, move the seat as far
to the rear as possible and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly.

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Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance free, and there are no
parts you can safely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:

An airbag ever inf lates.

Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. If a
front airbag inflates, the seat belt
tensioners must also be replaced.

Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by your dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.

The SRS indicator alerts you to a
problem.

Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.

If your vehicle has a moderate to
severe impact.

Even if your
airbags do not inflate, your dealer
should inspect the driver’s seat
position sensor and the passenger’s
weight sensors to make sure they
are operating properly.

Additional Safety PrecautionsAirbag Service

Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.

Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.

Do not tamper with airbag
components or wiring for any
reason.

Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.

Do not remove or modif y a seat
without consulting your dealer.

This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor or the passenger’s
weight sensors ineffective. If it is
necessary to remove or modify a
seat to accommodate a person
with disabilities, first contact
Honda Automobile Customer
Service at [phone].

Driver and Passenger Safety

27

Protecting Children General Guidelines

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−

Children depend on adults to protect
them. However, despite their best
intentions, many adults do not know
how to protect child

properly

passengers.

If you ever need to drive with a child
in your vehicle, be sure to read this
section. It begins with important
general guidelines, then presents
special information for infants, small
children and larger children.

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All Children Must Be Restrained

Each year, many children are injured
or killed in vehicle crashes because
they are either unrestrained or not
properly restrained. In fact, vehicle
accidents are the number one cause
of the death of children ages 12 and
under.

To reduce the number of child
deaths and injuries, every state and
Canadian province requires that
infants and children be properly
restrained when they ride in a
vehicle.

Anychildwhoistoosmalltoweara
seat belt must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly
secured to the vehicle

−

33 35

).

(see pages

A larger child must be restrained
with a lap/shoulder belt and ride on
a booster seat until the seat belt f its
him or her properly

).

39

(see pages

36

Children who are unrestrained
or improperly restrained can be
seriously injured or killed in a
crash.

Any child too small for a seat
belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat. A
larger child should be properly
restrained with a seat belt and
use a booster seat if necessary.

−

Protecting Children General Guidelines

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−

Your Vehicle is Not
Recommended for Child
Passengers

The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.

Since this vehicle does not have a
back seat, we strongly recommend
that you do not carry any child who
is not large enough or mature
enough to ride in front (see page ).

38

The Passenger’s Airbag Pose
Serious Risks

Airbags have been designed to help
protect adults in a moderate to
severe frontal collision. To do this,
the passenger’s airbag is quite large
and it can inflate with enough force
to cause very serious injuries.

Even though your vehicle has an
advanced airbag system, which can
automatically turn the passenger’s
airbag off (see page ), please

24

follow the guidelines below.

Infants
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
this vehicle.

If the airbag inflates, it
can hit the back of the child seat
with enough force to kill or very
seriously injure an inf ant.

Small Children
Placing a f orward-facing child seat in
the passenger’s seat can be
hazardous.

If the vehicle seat is too
far forward, or the child’s head is
thrown forward during a collision, an
inflating passenger’s airbag can
strike the child with enough force to
kill or very seriously injure a small
child.

Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child
seats are also at risk of being injured
or killed by an inflating passenger’s
airbag.

this vehicle, see page for

If a larger child must ride in

38

important guidelines on how to
decide when a child is ready to ride
in and how to properly protect the
child.

29

Driver and Passenger Safety