neuweiler

I asked my dealer about what oil I should refill in case I need to. I'm still breaking in the car (got 400 miles).

He said: Use full synthetic oil, Motorex 0W-40

But everywhere I read that you should use organic oil to help break in:
[I]
During the first 600 miles (the car

Destiny2002

Ask the dealer where they get their information. It's contrary to everything the experts know, and those who hear it straight from Honda.

Synthetic is the same color as regular oil, maybe a little lighter. But it does stay yellowish longer before it looks dirty because it doesn't oxidize.

If you search for previous posts, you will find the best test for synthetic might be the deep freeze test.

WestSideBilly

Ignore the dealer, at least in this case. Use dino oil, 10W30, until ~12000 km (2nd oil change).

StwoK

Honda says synthetics are to slippery to allow for a proper break-in of the engine. They also say that synthetic oil provides excellent protection for the engine but do not use it until after 7,500 miles. Honda stills recommends 10W-30 grade oil for normal operating temperatures and for cold temperature 5W-30.

Honda's latest update !

https://www.s2ki.com/faqs/faqpdf/ServiceUpdate.pdf


Who makes 0W-40 Motorex ? I've never heard of it. Your dealership might push this due to a high profit margin.

If your dealership has Honda motor oil, look at the label, you'll see Mobil's name !

KeithD

There is the TSB out. Original oil has special additive, only dinosaur juice until 7.500, then you use synthetics.

Your dealership is doing something funky. Honda fill is mobil oil.

DarioManfretti

For the life of me, I can't understand how Honda dealerships tell owners something totally different than the owner's manual. If owners follow the dealers recommendations, out goes the owners warranty. Just how stupid can they get???

neuweiler

Now this is really puzzling...
After I wrote an email to my dealer he sent me back a letter (real paper ! ) in which he stated that he double-checked again with Honda Switzerland:
Besides the known fact that the factory oil has some additives for break in which also make it more fluid, he insisted that it really was 0W-40 synthetic. He said that european models would have slightly different specs than american cars (engine, tranny). I wonder why...
One thing that might justify 0W-40 is that it can get really cold here in Switzerland - but usually not below -20 Celsius.

Now I only can hope that I don't have to refill any oil until first change.
Does anybody know what would be the effect if I pour in synthetic oil now and the dealers were wrong ? Will it simply mix or might it cause problems ?

I have 800km and drive her for 3 weeks now but the oil is still as yellow as when I got her...
I think I'll start to call several dealers and cross-check with them.

This is shitty confusing !
But thanks a lot for all your replies !

naishou

I'm beginning to feel like a broken record, but here it goes again:

All Australian delivered S2000s have their first service at 1000km. If you DON'T, then your warranty is VOID. There is nothing in the manual or the service book that says not to use synthetic at this change. The dealers also do not say that synthetic is bad. I changed to synthetic at 5000km and my car does not use a drop of oil. In fact it never did.

This stuff about leaving the original oil in for ages and only using mineral oil comes from AHM (American Honda), NOT from Honda Japan or any of their other worldwide agents. Honda Australia seems to have a quite opposite policy and we are not suffering more engine failures or oil consumption as a result. Verict? Do whatever you like - it's hardly likely to make a difference.