As I posted last week, I'm a new S2000 owner. I was scanning the owners manual and noticed it advises to lower / raise the top with the key in but the engine off. This seemed strange to me. Do you follow this advice? What is the reasoning behind it? Thanks in advance!

 

I've always wondered about this myself...

 

Probably the liability lawyers worrying about somebody driving while putting the top down. I prefer to do it with the engine running. Seems like it would be less stress on the battery.

 

Try to do it. Unless you disconnect it speed + parking brake are a factor.

Who knows why the manual states that.

 

I do the same.
Levi

 

I KILLED my battery putting my top up/down with the engine off by 50k miles. Lesson learned. Now I only do it with the engine running.

 

It's all about the battery. If it's new, you could do it without any problems, but why stress out the battery in the first place?

 

One of the really great things about this car is how fast you can put the top up or down. You can do it at a stop sign. You can drive in rain with the top down as long as you move but if you want, you can put it up and not even really get wet. Do have to use the parking brake quick if connected.

Only time I do it with the engine off is when it is parked and it looks like I won't drive it anymore for the night. (Parked outside someplace)

 

Putting the top down and back up with the car off puts you dangerously close to killing the battery unless its brand new. I only do it with the engine running now

 

Yeah I operate it with the engine on, I operate it wile the car is moving up to 45mph. Any faster then that and I fear it will rip off