twohoos

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tim S2K
[B]I had Mobil 1 put in my car in mid-November when it was then garaged for the winter.

Barry in Wyoming

GREAT POSTS, Utah. I better read that motor oil book I bought.

A few weeks ago, I asked my 22 year old son (in front of the 8 teenagers he had been leading backpacking for a month) what was the worst thing I ever did as a parent. He said it was when I told him to do something, "because I told you to." He was happy to do sensible things, but he expected sensible explanations.

Oil changes aren't quite that way unless you've exceeded your warranty in months or miles.

AHM says to change the oil AT LEAST EVERY YEAR no matter how few miles you've driven during that year. Of course, they don't ask dealers to do that if the car has sat on the lot a year.

Anyway, the one year recommendation is AHM gospel. Check it out:
https://www.s2ki.com/faqs/showfaq.php?threadid=17413

Bill L

The general rule has to be that too many oil changes is not a problem. But, if Honda uses a special magical break-in oil, you may not want to change it too early. In most cars that I broke-in previously, one would do the intial change at 500 to 1000 miles to eliminate metal particles that would wear off in the first few miles. Good Call!

Now engines are mfd to greater tolerances with better results. You don't need the break-in early oil change, or the engine is already broken-in.

So, back to my originaly question, should we not change the break-in oil too early?

Tim S2K

Thanks for posting twohoos,

I feel a little better at least knowing that Mobil 1 can get very dirty after letting the car sit a while. I did use a Honda oil filter and I am sure no harm was done. I just didn't know if the dealer put Mobil 1 in before I stored it. They probably did.

Bill L

Yesterday I said that too many oil changes is not a problem. But after reading other threads, I've learned that we do not want the first oil change too early, because Honda uses a special break-in oil to allow the rings to seat. And, we can expect the S2000 to use up some oil early.

Thus, is it true to say, don't change the oil for the first 5k miles, and check it frequently during the break-in period?

Can we get the same oil Honda uses during this break-in period rather than use 10W30 that the manual calls for?

Barry in Wyoming

Nope. At least that was true in January when Honda replaced the short block on my 650 mile old, two month old S2000. As part of the rebuild procedure, the dealer adds 5.5 quarts of their standard shop oil.

Woodwork, a Honda engineer and a contributor to this board, assured me that this doesn't make a significant difference. Perhaps there is enough molybedum on the surfaces of the delivered replacement short block to make the dealer's oil into magical break-in oil.

In any case, add "SJ" quality 10W-30 mineral oil if you need to add oil.

Bill L

SJ 10W30? Tell me more. What is "SJ?"

Barry in Wyoming

SJ is a quality rating for gasoline engine motor oil. "S" means it is the gasoline rating system (as opposed to "C" for diesel engines) and "J" is the quality rating. "J" is currently the top rating but "L" will be introduced later this year.

Anyway, that is far more information than you need. If you look at "regular" petroleum based motor oil, it will have the "API" (American Petroleum Institute" "Starburst" symbol and it will say "SJ."

10W-30 is the viscosity our engines like unless they will be run at zero deg F or below. If you are running the vehicle at below zero deg F, you need 5W-30 or maybe it is 5W-40. I forget.

Bill L

SJ, yeah I understand. The last time I looked it wasn't SJ something lower and that confused me.

As for the viscosity, 10W30 vs 5W40 is a question of the temperature of the engine when you will start it. Mine is in a heated garage at 60F. Even if the outside temp is very low (I'm in Chgo), the starting temp can probably handle the 10W30. Right?

Barry in Wyoming

My understanding is the same as yours, Bill.

I leave 10W-30 in my S2000 all winter and avoid driving it below zero F.

My Prelude will get 5W-40 for the winter but not my S2000.