S2000 Frequently Asked Questions...

[Cyclon36]

A lot of the particulars of the S2000 get lost after you own the car for a while. Some of the questions that seem trivial to long time owners tend to pop up regularly for new owners. Since dealerships can be confused about this car as much as us sometimes, I've decided to start a FAQ section that answers some of the more common questions that new or even long time owners have about the car. Feel free to post up any points that you feel have been missed or issues that can be easily solved. I'll try to keep these organized the best I can as we add to them.



Engine & Transmission Questions:

Q: My engine stalls or cuts out when I hit 6,000rpms. What's wrong?
A: Chances are nothing is wrong. There is a temperature cutoff for vtec that will not allow you to pass 6,000rpms unless your engine is up to a proper operating temperature (three bars).

Q: When I reach redline, my engine jerks or cuts off. What's wrong?
A: The S2000 has a fuel cutoff mark at redline. Once you exceed redline, your engine will shut off the fuel in order to keep you from over revving the car. It's not harmful to the car, but it should be avoided if possible.

Q: I put on an intake and now I hear a humming or whistling sound. What is that?
A: This is common for all aftermarket intakes that are put on the S. Nothing negative will happen to your car.

Q: When I first move the car in the morning, I hear a crack like something broke. What happened?
A: Your brake pads have slightly rusted to your rotors. This is normal and usually happens in humid conditions or if you have just washed your car. It's not damaging to the brakes.

Q: When I try shifting into second, I grind the gear sometimes. Is my tranny bad?
A: No, the second gear grind is a common problem with S2000's. It usually happens only when the transmission is cold. To reduce the chances of it happening, you could try not shifting so fast into second gear from first or try changing your transmission fluid to an approved relacement such as GM Synchromesh Friction Modified.

Q: When I let off the gas, I get a buzzing noise sometimes from my clutch. What is that?
A: This is a common issue with some cars and does not affect performance. There is a TSB for this on the earlier models that explains the solution.

Q: My cars throttle is irregular at times causing the RPM's to not stay steady. What could be wrong.
A: Chances are you have a bad map sensor. The map sensor lets the engine know how much air is flowing in and can be found on top of the throttle body. It is a known problem and can be solved by either whacking it firmly or replacing it with the updated model.

Q: When should I do my first oil change?
A: The answer can be found in your owners manual. Honda uses a break in fluid that conditions parts and seals. Should you run low during your break in period, you can add a non-synthetic 10w-30 oil.

Q: When is the best time to switch to synthetic oil?
A: Most recommend switching to synthetic around 10,000 miles or shortly after. Cars with more miles should continue to use non-synthetic oils. It is always safe to switch from sythetic to non-synthetic, but not necessarily the other way around.

Q: Is it ok to take my car to a full service oil change place?
A: The S2000 takes a special high flow oil filter because of vtec and it's demands. The PCX filter was specifically designed for our cars and is usually not carried by most oil change places. Sometimes even honda dealers put the wrong filter on by mistake as well. Make sure that your oil filter is a PCX on your next oil change.

Q: I need to change my differential fluid. What do I use?
A: Be very careful on this one as some Honda dealers will give you the wrong fluid. The S2000 should use a GL5 differential fluid. Do not buy VTM4 or any other fluid as it will cause damage to your differential. Double check this even when servicing your car at the dealership.

Q: I'm thinking about getting an exhaust. How much more power can I expect from one?
A: Not much. The S2000 is highly tuned from the factory and bolt on mods do not make as much horsepower as they would with other cars. The exhausts that have the most gains are usually single muffler setups with wide piping from the cat. Even then, you probably will not gain any more than 10hp. Your best advantage with a new exhaust is weight savings compared to stock.

Q: I have an 20XX model year car. Can I get an exhaust that says it's for earlier models?
A: Most of the time, yes. The exhaust piping has not changed from 2000-2005. All exhast systems should fit fine within those model years. The only difference is going to be tip clearance. However, on 2006+ models, the exhaust piping has been changed to a more straight route and cat back exhausts from previous models will not line up perfectly if you have an 06. Custom fabrication would need to be done to match the angle of the pipes at the attachment point.

Q: I want to get an intake for my car. What should I get?
A: Personal preference plays the biggest role here. Just like the exhaust, you're looking at low to no gains at all depending on the intake (most loose power compared to the stock intake). Be cautious with using CAI's (Cold Air Intakes) as their low levels make them prone to hydrolock. There are ways to prevent that however.

Q: I want to get a lot of power from my engine. What's the best way to do that?
A: Forced induction with either a supercharger or turbo. Bolt on mods will get you no more than 20 or 30hp extra. A forced induction setup is the only way to achieve higher numbers in a reasonable budget.

Q: When I skip gears while upshifting or downshifting, I get a grind sometimes. Is that normal?
A: You should never skip gears on a manual transmission. Skipping gears will cause your synchros to wear prematurely giving way to shortened tranny life and eventually grinding in every gear.

[Cyclon36]

Electrical Questions:

Q: My headlights are uneven. How do I adjust them?
A: Don't be too quick with this conclusion. HID beams are split level and appear to be lower on the left side. This is not because the left light is lower, but rather b/c each light is designed to be lower on the left side. As they project out, the two patterns overlap making it appear that the left light is lower. If you pull up to a flat wall, you will notice that both lights have this notch in them. This is done to prevent you from blinding oncoming traffic with your lights.

Q: My "Maint Req" light came on/is flashing. What do I do?
A: The maintenance light comes on at regular intervals to remind you to have your car serviced. It is only a reminder light and does not indicate that something is wrong. You can reset the light by turning your keys to the off position, then hold down the trip/mileage button while you turn the keys to the on position. Keep holding the button down and the light will disappear.

Q: I want to put in an aftermarket radio. Will I still be able to use my dash radio controls?
A: There are a few devices that can make sure you retain your radio controls if you install an aftermarket radio. One of the best solutions is a Modifry DCI (dash control interface). You can visit Modifry's site at www.modifry.com. Luckily, he is also a member and will give you a discount if you are a paid atlanta member.

Q: I disconnected my battery and now my radio is asking for a code. What do I do?
A: There should be a small card with your radio code on it that's with the car's paperwork. If you're missing this, you can take it to your local Honda dealer to get the code, or if you register your car on Honda's Owner Link website, they will have it listed for you.

Q: What size speakers does the S2000 have?
A: The door speakers are 6.5" but are shallow so deep models might not clear the window once it's rolled down.

Q: I was thinking about getting a fuel atomizer/voltage stabalizer/ground wire kit/performance chip off of ebay for the S2000. They say it is made for our cars. Do they really work?
A: No. Don't waste your money.

[Cyclon36]

Body/Cosmetic Questions:

Q: How much weight will I save by getting a carbon fiber hood?
A: Not much if any. The stock hood is all aluminum and weighs the same or even less than some carbon fiber hoods on the market. Only quality brands or hoods that are full dry carbon offer weight savings over the factory hood.

Q: The center console around my shift knob is peeling/scratched. What can I do?
A: There is a thin metal layer below the paint that can be exposed for a nice touch. by taking a cotton ball and some acetone or alcohol, you can rub away the paint to expose this shiny surface.

Q: My plastic rear window is blurry/scratched/hazy. Is there anything I can do?
A: Yes, there are a number of plastic polishes on the market that can bring your rear window back to new condition. It just takes some time and a lot of elbow grease.

Q: I have a plastic rear window and have heard it's not safe to lower the top in cold weather. Is that true?
A: Yes it is. Lowering a top with a plastic rear window in cold weather may cause the plastic to crack or break. A safe temperature would be over 50 degrees F.

Q: My soft top doesn't go down all the way. What can I do?
A: Chances are that the two elastic straps that pull down the second frame bar are loose or don't stretch anymore. They can either be replaced with a fix from modifry (www.modifry.com) or you can push the bar down with your hand when you lower the top. If the top folds incorrectly, you risk tearing your top.

Q: I noticed that I'm getting a small wear hole on my soft top between the window and the rear of the top along the top side. What do I do?
A: There is a peice of plastic reinforcement on the inside of the top mechanism that causes these wear holes to appear over time. You can prevent this by adding extra material to the inside of the top along this area.

Q: I want to get a hardtop. Do I have to remove the soft top?
A: No, the soft top folds down and the hardtop installs over the top of it.

Q: I want to take the badges off my car. Are there any holes underneath?
A: There are two holes underneath the front and rear badges along the center of the H. There are no holes underneath the S2000 logos on the sides.

Q: What is a countersunk shift knob?
A: A countersunk shift knob is made where the threads on the shifter can screw all the way into the top of the knob making it sit lower than the factory shift knob.

Q: I have a 2000 year model S2000 and the red reflectors on my tail lights are turning pink. Is that normal?
A: There is a recall for these tail lights. Your local Honda dealer should replace them with ones that do not fade.

[Cyclon36]

Wheels, Tires, & Suspension Questions:

Q: What tires are stock for the S2000?
A: For years 2000-2003, stock equipment is Bridgestone Potenza S02 size 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear. For years 2004+, stock equipment is Bridgestone Potenza RE050 size 215/45/17 front and 245/40/17 rear.

Q: I want to replace my stock tires on my 2000-2003 and I've heard that I need to get wider rear tires than the stock 225's. Is that correct?
A: The stock S02's are wider in the rear than most other tires of the same size. You should replace them with a 245/50/16 in an other brand.

Q: I noticed that the rear tires are wider than the fronts. Can I rotate my tires?
A: No, do not rotate your tires. They are staggered to enhance handling charactaristics of the car.

Q: I have a flat tire on the rear. Do I just use the donut spare?
A: Make sure you read the owners manual first. Do not use the spare tire on the rear of the car. Because you have a limited slip differential, having two different sized wheels on the rear of the car will ruin your diff. Instead, place the donut on a front wheel and move that front wheel to the needed spot in the rear.

Q: My front tires are showing more wear on the inside than the outside. Do I need an alignment?
A: No, the correct alignment for an S2000 causes this wear pattern. It makes the car handle better.

Q: What are the stock wheel sizes and offsets for our cars?
A: MY2000-2001 = 16" x 6.5", +55 offset for the front and 16" x 7.5", +65 offset for the rear. MY2004+ = 17" x 7.0", +55 offset in the front and 17" x 8.5", +65 offset in the rear.

Q: What are offsets?
A: Offsets are the measurement from the centerline of the wheel to the hub of the wheel. A high positive offset means the hub of the wheel will be pushed outward in the wheel while a negative offset means that the hub will be on the otherside of the centerline causing a deep dish effect on the rim of the wheel.

Q: I want to get wheels for my car. Can I get different offsets from the stock specs?
A: Yes, but it shouldn't be far off. Below is a chart representing the MINIMUM offsets you should have on your wheels. Usually, the minimum will still be right at the fender line meaning you won't be able to lower your car without rubbing or rolling your fenders. Remember that these are only suggestions and might not work with all wheels:

For the front:
7.0" wheel: +42 offset (205 tires)
7.5" wheel: +48 offset (205, or 215 tires)
8.0" wheel: +54 offset (205, 215, or 225 tires)
8.5" wheel: +61 offset (215, 225, or 235 tires)
9.0" wheel: +67 offset (225, 235, or 245(?) tires)

For the rear:
8.0" wheel: +40 offset (225 or 235 tires)
8.5" wheel: +46 offset (235 or 245 tires)
9.0" wheel: +53 offset (235, 245, or 255 tires)
9.5" wheel: +59 offset (245, 255, or 265 tires)
10.0" wheel: +65 offset (265, 275, or 285 tires)
10.5" wheel: +72 offset (275 or 285 tires)

Q: What does "rolling fenders" mean?
A: The inside edge of your fenders has a lip that points inward. When people lower their cars or get larger wheels, this lip sometimes rubs on the wheel while driving. This can be dangerous as the lip can cut into the tire causing a blowout. To solve this, there are ways to bend the lip upwards so there is just a smooth round edge on the inside of the fender leaving more room for tires.

Q: I want to lower my car with springs. How will this affect my handling?
A: Lowered cars can be less responsive if they are lowered just by replacing the factory springs. While still preserving most of the handling for street use, it is not ideal for track use or for those that value handling charactaristics over looks. Also, because the stock shock will be compressed past their normal compression point, their life span will be shortened. As always, an alignment should be done anytime the suspension is altered.

[Cyclon36]

Miscellaneous Questions:

Q: What is AP1 and AP2?
A: They are chassis codes for the different year models. AP1 refers to all S2000's manufactured from 2000-2003 and that have a 2.0l engine. AP2 is the chassis code for all models manufactured after 2004 and that have a 2.2l engine.

Q: What is F20C and F22C?
A: Those are the engine codes for the two types of engines that are in S2000's. F20C is the 2.0l and the F22C is the 2.2l

Q: What does OEM mean?
A: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically it refers to the parts that are made by the vehicle manufacturer. Any accessories or parts not made by the original vehicle manufacturer are considered aftermarket parts.

Q: What does JDM mean?
A: Japanese Domestic Market. This refers to parts or accessories that are unique to the Japanese market. These are sometimes imported through private resellers and are sold here.

Q: What is shin-etsu grease? Should I buy some?
A: Shin-etsu grease is for conditioning the rubber seals around your top and various other parts of the car. You should condition your seals atleast once a year to prevent drying, cracking, or leaking.

Q: I hear people talk about the "secret compartment." What is that?
A: The secret compartment is the large compartment that has the windblocker attached on top of the glove box. Believe it or not, most people overlook this section of the storage area since it does not have a visible button like the lower compartment.

Q: What is a TSB?
A: Technical Service Bulletin. They are bulletins issued by the manufacturer recognizing that there is a common problem among a certain model. If your car is under warranty, then you should be able to get these done free of charge. Even if you are out of warranty, some dealers will work with you to either make it free or offer the repair at a reduced cost since the problem has been acknowledged by Honda. You can do a search on TSB's for your car here: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr.../tsbsearch.cfm

Q: I have a 2000 year model S2000 and my seat belt doesn't retract sometimes/is locked up. What do I do?
A: Honda has issued a recall for the seat belt and you should take it to your local dealer for the repair.

Q: I just filled up at a gas station and now my check engine light is on. What happened?
A: Make sure when you are filling up that the keys are turned completely to the off position and that you click the gas cap three times or more when putting it back on. A loose gas cap will cause the check engine light to come on. If this has happened, just tighten the cap and the light will eventually go away after a few on/off cycles during the next day or two.

[dp]

take down the "secret compartment" faq dude...it's no fun!

[Spoon]

take down the "secret compartment" faq dude...it's no fun!

seeeeeee....glad to see someone is on my side!

[S2k Dude]

Looks good Joe!

[KatJ]

Looks good, just learn how to spell "shiny."

[bubbachong]

You may want to add the information about non-stock tires. As in:

I don't want to get raped with $200 S02's for my <MY03. What size tires do I need?

Answer: Since S02's were wider tires from the factory the correct REAR tires you need are 245/45-16's. Use the OEM size for the fronts.

[Cyclon36]

You may want to add the information about non-stock tires. As in:

I don't want to get raped with $200 S02's for my <MY03. What size tires do I need?

Answer: Since S02's were wider tires from the factory the correct REAR tires you need are 245/45-16's. Use the OEM size for the fronts.

Thanks, it has been noted.

[ILMOVEU]

All this info is so awesome! Bubba, when we talked about our S's last summer after I got mine, I never realized there was so much more to know...oh...and by the way...Hello again!

[S2KJD]

All this info is so awesome! Bubba, when we talked about our S's last summer after I got mine, I never realized there was so much more to know...oh...and by the way...Hello again!

Yes, there is lots to learn...

[Cyclon36]

Added oil filter question:

Q: Is it ok to take my car to a full service oil change place?

A: The S2000 takes a special high flow oil filter because of vtec and it's demands. The PCX filter was specifically designed for our cars and is usually not carried by most oil change places. Sometimes even honda dealers put the wrong filter on by mistake as well. Make sure that your oil filter is a PCX on your next oil change.


I've seen way too many oil changes where even the honda dealer put the wrong filter on.

[BigPoppaHurtm]

Q: I was thinking about getting a fuel atomizer/voltage stabalizer/ground wire kit/performance chip off of ebay for the S2000. They say it is made for our cars. Do they really work?
A: No. Don't waste your money.

Im sure that the ebay ground wire kits do suck, but a proper one will make more power for very cheap. I was a believer after reading this article.

http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0401cae_hyper/

[dp]

Q: I disconnected my battery and now my radio doesn't work! It says to enter the 'Radio Code", but I don't have it. Do I need to replace the entire headunit?

Q: I noticed a small indicator on the dash that seems to work with some sort of an alarm, but I don't have any alarm. What is this?
A: It's the JPM Security Indicator light, foo...

Q: Welery (Walter) has some sweet ass LED taillights. Where can I purchase that?

Q: Can I upgrade the HID bulbs to a higher Kelvin for the low beam? If so, what bulbs do I use?
A: Yes- 5000,6000,8000k,10,000k. You use d2s bulbs for the low beam and H1 for the high beam.

[dp]

Q: When I ride top down during the day time, it's sometimes hard to see the dash due to light reflections. Is there a fix?

Q: I'm tired of having to completely come to a halt before moving my top down/up. Is there a way to control the top while I'm moving?

Q: Can I put 20"s on my s2000?
Q: Can I put 19"s then?
Q: How about 18"s or 17"s?

Q: I'd like a big fat lip like a true JDM ridah...can I get like a 3"+ lip on the rears?

Q: Would a strut bar do anything performance wise? What about sway bars?

[dp]

Q: I don't have any engine/exhaust modifications yet my car screams above 6200 rpm. Is this normal?

Q: I accidentally revved over 9,000 rpm and the rpm kicked back really fast to 6-7000...did I break something?

Q: My car handled like it was on rails when I had factory B-Stone S02 tires, but when I changed them to Michelin's All Season tires for $50 a pop, it handled worse than my granma's Buick. What tires do you guys recommend for the 16" and 17" oem factory wheels that would save me some $ yet keep up with the performance?

Q: It seems like there's an uneven wear on my tires, esp. front. I got an alignment 5,000 miles ago and the problem continues. Is this normal?

Q: I sometimes skip gears. For instance, 1-3, 3-5, 4-6 or in some other form from having to keep the revs down. Is this okay?

[dp]

Q: I'm thinking about lowering my car. Should I get springs or coilovers?
A: Get full coilovers and dump that bitch.

Q: My car is extremely dirty, but still looks good. Is this normal?
A: It's normal.

Q: I can't hear a thing what the radio is playing with or without top down. Is this normal?
A: Factory radio sucks balls. Save a few hundred for an aftermarket headunit and speakers.

[Cyclon36]

I'll add a few. thanks.

[Welery]

Q: Welery (Walter) has some sweet ass LED taillights. Where can I purchase that?

Thanks Danny... I'm actually having a little trouble with them right now!

[Cyclon36]

Added tire/wheel/suspension section and added a few to it.

[dp]

Q: I accidentally revved over 9,000 rpm and the rpm kicked back really fast to 6-7000...did I break something?
A: No, It's a rev limiter keeping you from blowing up the shit out of your f20c

Q:What's f20c?
A:It's your lil' 2.0 4 banging engine...

Q: Is f22c a 2.2 engine then?
A: You got it.

Q: I sometimes skip gears. For instance, 1-3, 3-5, 4-6 or in some other form from having to keep the revs down. Is this okay?
A: No, You'll mess up your synchros.

You might want to add these as well. These get asked frequently on s2ki...

[Cyclon36]

You might want to add these as well. These get asked frequently on s2ki...

Well, if you read the FAQ, you'll notice that they've been there

[xx_treva_xx]

thanks for the post on the frenq questions i am gald i read this thread before i asked the questions.