Advice for a New Owner
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Advice for a New Owner
I just purchased a new Silverstone/Black S2000. I'm still in the break in period, so i don't have a lot of experience yet.
I've been reading the faqs, etc. and appreciate all the great advice. I'm looking for more of the same.
Does anyone have specific guidance for a new owner? Any mistakes you wished you avoided when you first had the car? Any things you're happy you did right?
I'm also still coming to terms with backing up the car with the top up. Any tricks or techniques? I appreciate that sounds kind of lame. Think of it as a wanting to get experience without screwing up!
Cheers,
a n
I've been reading the faqs, etc. and appreciate all the great advice. I'm looking for more of the same.
Does anyone have specific guidance for a new owner? Any mistakes you wished you avoided when you first had the car? Any things you're happy you did right?
I'm also still coming to terms with backing up the car with the top up. Any tricks or techniques? I appreciate that sounds kind of lame. Think of it as a wanting to get experience without screwing up!
Cheers,
a n
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,536
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From: Davis, CA
Your front lip won't clear any curb so make sure when you pull into any spot that you stop short 2 feet (you're sitting in the backseat of most cars relative to the front lip)
Big blindspots on both sides with the top up, put your mirrors out as far as possible. Get a convex mirror for the drivers side. If you can see the headlights in the sides, they are in your blindspot with convex.
Topdown as much as possible =), that's the nice thing this car has on 99% of anything else on the road. Heater works great!
Paint scratches very easily, make it a rule never to have any jewelry, keys (passenger especially) dangling on their wrists.
Get a clear bra as soon as possible since your finish is relatively perfect still.
keep suncreen in the cockpit. get a tight fitting baseball cap, get a nice pair of wrap around sunglasses with removable lenses.
check your tire pressure monthly. low profile tires seem to loose their pressure more easily.
WELCOME to the club!!
Big blindspots on both sides with the top up, put your mirrors out as far as possible. Get a convex mirror for the drivers side. If you can see the headlights in the sides, they are in your blindspot with convex.
Topdown as much as possible =), that's the nice thing this car has on 99% of anything else on the road. Heater works great!
Paint scratches very easily, make it a rule never to have any jewelry, keys (passenger especially) dangling on their wrists.
Get a clear bra as soon as possible since your finish is relatively perfect still.
keep suncreen in the cockpit. get a tight fitting baseball cap, get a nice pair of wrap around sunglasses with removable lenses.
check your tire pressure monthly. low profile tires seem to loose their pressure more easily.
WELCOME to the club!!
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,167
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Learn how to control it by joining some autocross practices. Your profile doesn't say where you live.
Check http://www.scca.com to find out where you can find some practices in your area. The car is a bit tricky in the corners for those that aren't familiar with RWD, or haven't pushed the car to the edge in a safe environment (e.g. autocross). And don't lift off the gas in the corners!
Most of all...have fun with the car! It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it.
Check http://www.scca.com to find out where you can find some practices in your area. The car is a bit tricky in the corners for those that aren't familiar with RWD, or haven't pushed the car to the edge in a safe environment (e.g. autocross). And don't lift off the gas in the corners!
Most of all...have fun with the car! It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it.
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From: NY
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Get a radar detector ASAP if it saves you once it paid for itself. You will look down and be doing 90 plus easily thru the curves and over the hills.
Your car has great brakes and other people don't so beware of tailgaters you will out brake them and they will rear end you, especially SUV's.
Find an empty parking in the rain and practice learning exactly where the limit is. When and how to make the rear come around and how to pull it back. Also ABS brakes and that pulsing can be quite different. The rain will save your tires from too much wear when you do this and lower the speed needed.
Down shifting into corners takes practice not to over rev and not to spin it but can be very rewarding as you hit VTEC just after the apex.
The launch in an S takes some practice to keep the rev's up but done right is impressive.
Your car has great brakes and other people don't so beware of tailgaters you will out brake them and they will rear end you, especially SUV's.
Find an empty parking in the rain and practice learning exactly where the limit is. When and how to make the rear come around and how to pull it back. Also ABS brakes and that pulsing can be quite different. The rain will save your tires from too much wear when you do this and lower the speed needed.
Down shifting into corners takes practice not to over rev and not to spin it but can be very rewarding as you hit VTEC just after the apex.
The launch in an S takes some practice to keep the rev's up but done right is impressive.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 238
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From: Sebring Silver Spring, MD
1. if you are used to "5 speed" , it's little easy to mis-shift. don't grab, use your palm..
2. change your diff. fluid everytime you change your engine oil.
...read manual, read S2ki forum...etc.
2. change your diff. fluid everytime you change your engine oil.
...read manual, read S2ki forum...etc.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 14
wait till after break in to hit Vtec (or atleast don't hit it more than once).
Definitely read up on wash and wax.
Clear bra is excellent. Saved me tons of chips on mine and was worth every penny.
1st add on I got was a Valentine 1 radar detector. Definitely one of the best and a plus with our car. Cops like to pick on our type.
Try a nitrogen fill on the tire. It doesn't deflate as fast as regular air and you almost never have to worry about tire pressure.
Remember to wait until your break in period is completely over to change the oil. Honda uses a special break in oil to help properly seat parts. After that, decide whether you want to use synthetic or non and stick to it.
Try not to keep the engine in the same rpm range for extended periods of time during break in (highway driving). Try to mix it up as much as possible.
That's as much as I can think of off the top of my head without writing a book. Good luck with everything and remember to check S2KI for opinions before you mod anything. Chances are if there is anything that could go wrong with something, someone on here knows about it. Also, try to join a local chapter. Drives and events are more fun when you're part of a club and it really enhances the ownership perks.
Definitely read up on wash and wax.
Clear bra is excellent. Saved me tons of chips on mine and was worth every penny.
1st add on I got was a Valentine 1 radar detector. Definitely one of the best and a plus with our car. Cops like to pick on our type.
Try a nitrogen fill on the tire. It doesn't deflate as fast as regular air and you almost never have to worry about tire pressure.
Remember to wait until your break in period is completely over to change the oil. Honda uses a special break in oil to help properly seat parts. After that, decide whether you want to use synthetic or non and stick to it.
Try not to keep the engine in the same rpm range for extended periods of time during break in (highway driving). Try to mix it up as much as possible.
That's as much as I can think of off the top of my head without writing a book. Good luck with everything and remember to check S2KI for opinions before you mod anything. Chances are if there is anything that could go wrong with something, someone on here knows about it. Also, try to join a local chapter. Drives and events are more fun when you're part of a club and it really enhances the ownership perks.
