On page 72 of the owners manual (for those of you who have read it ) it says "Do not lower or raise the top while the engine is running." Now I can understand not driving, but why would it matter if the car was running or not? Just honda being safety/liability over concious?

 

I am curious as to whether or not it has to do with the two electric motors that are used to lower/raise the top. There is more voltage applied when the car is running, maybe it has something to do with that? Any electricians out there? If not, perhaps it is a liability issue, although, since the parking brake has to be engaged, I don't know why it would be a liability issue, unless someone decided to go cruising down the highway, engage the parking brake and then let the top rip off

 

They put that in there so when you return your S2000 to have the driver side window fixed the dealership can say "Well did you put the top down with the engine running?"

 

amazing what you find when you read the instructions!! the few times i have put the top up or down, the engine has always been running. my car and i are both fine thank-you... interesting question. must be one of those "safety issues", but since the top does not operate with the brake off that doesnt make sense either... i give up!

 

Hmm, I never noticed that before...I doubt it really has an negative effect on the car, but I could be wrong. If so, I better stop doing that.

 

Yes it is definitly one of those things that make you say "hmmmmm".

 

you'd think it would be better to have the car running, as its less of a drain on the electrical system...

I mean at some point, come on... if you are driving and it begins to rain, must you pull over, turn off the car, then turn the key back to the ON position, close the top, and then press START again?

seems silly.

 

90% of the time, I drop and raise the top with the engine running. I'm really interested to find out the logic behind doing it the engine off...Hmmmm...

 

Interesting. Is that the exact quote from the manual? It doesn't state that in the '00 manual (or at least my copy). Maybe someone tried to set the parking brake at highway speed to lower the top in a sudden rain storm and it smoked the brakes. My manual doesn't say that the car has to be standing still, just that the parking brake has to be set.

 

I have seen that in my 00 manual as well but havn't heeded to it.

My sisters Bimmer will only raise-lower if the engine is running anyways.

I wonder why it is there. I would understand not doing it when you are moving, but why the engine running????