New owner - halp please

Stephen G · 06-07-2007, 02:34 AM

Hi.........I'm about to get a new S2000, and have read on this site that a new engine should be run in using mineral, and not synthetic oil. Can anyone please explain why? I ran a Prelude for 113,000 miles using Mobil 1 synthetic, including running in, with no signs of wear.

Any advice much appreciated.

S2000dude · 06-07-2007, 06:22 AM

Hello Steve, and welcome. Congrats on your new ride!

Honda doesn't forbid the use of a synthetic it simply recommends that you wait till 10k before you switch to a synthetic.

They also tell you not to change the "break-in" oil till 7k. I know that goes against what many of us grew up with, that is the advice to change oil every 3k. I switched to Red Line @ 10k and just changed over to Castrol Synthetic.
I'll probably get in a routine of changing every 5k.

Ride your new S in good health !

Java Junky · 06-07-2007, 09:15 AM

Aaay Steve, welcome aboard.
As for regular ol' fossil oil as the initial break-in oil, it's because it allows the whirrin' parts to mate better than the synthetic does.
You'll not be fined any points for switchin' over to synthetic after 10k to 15k which is, I believe, what's normally recommended.
Bottom line is that with either oil you're not gonna hurt nothin'. It's jus' recommended that the best way to mate the movin' parts up is to allow them some time with your normal ol' fossil oils.
Be well.
Java

gomarlins3 · 06-07-2007, 09:48 AM

I agree with what has already been stated.

Stephen G · 06-07-2007, 01:55 PM

Thanks very much for the info............now, what's the best mineral "running in" oil?

S2000dude · 06-07-2007, 04:47 PM

Well Toby, the oil that's in a new S shouldn't be changed till 7k. I know that sounds like too long a time but that's what Honda recommends. After the break in oil has surved it's purpose you're free to put in any oil you want.
I would just put in a good Dino (10W30) and then when you hit 9/10k switch over to a Syn.

One important bit of advice - Keep tabs on the oil level while you're breaking her in !

Java Junky · 06-07-2007, 07:48 PM

I know we tend to go on about what an exclusive ride we all got, but the bottom line is that it's still a @*#&in' Honda. It's not so pinky-in-the-air as to be all that fussy about what kind'a oil you use. The weight of the oil is important, but any of the known brands'll do.
But Dude's suggestion about keepin' an eye on your oil is a good one and I'd go it one further to make it a regular habit no matter how long you have the car. Yeah, it may be overkill, all it takes is once for it to pay for itself, right?
Be well.
Java

Stephen G · 06-08-2007, 03:23 AM

Might seem like a bit of fuss about just oil, but for such a beautiful engine, it's worth it. You get your money's worth in the second 100k mikes!!

Thanks for all the inputs..............will keep you posted.

06-07-2007, 02:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stephen G Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	New owner - halp please Hi.........I'm about to get a new S2000, and have read on this site that a new engine should be run in using mineral, and not synthetic oil. Can anyone please explain why? I ran a Prelude for 113,000 miles using Mobil 1 synthetic, including running in, with no signs of wear. Any advice much appreciated.

06-07-2007, 06:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
S2000dude Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Lake Hts, NJ Posts: 241	Hello Steve, and welcome. Congrats on your new ride! Honda doesn't forbid the use of a synthetic it simply recommends that you wait till 10k before you switch to a synthetic. They also tell you not to change the "break-in" oil till 7k. I know that goes against what many of us grew up with, that is the advice to change oil every 3k. I switched to Red Line @ 10k and just changed over to Castrol Synthetic. I'll probably get in a routine of changing every 5k. Ride your new S in good health ! __________________ you've just entered a dimension of sight & sound and high Revs. You've entered the V-Tec Zone ! 2005 NFR - good bye ol' friend 2008 Laguna Blue - welcome to my garage ! My first car - 1956 Studebaker Hawk !

06-07-2007, 09:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,436	Aaay Steve, welcome aboard. As for regular ol' fossil oil as the initial break-in oil, it's because it allows the whirrin' parts to mate better than the synthetic does. You'll not be fined any points for switchin' over to synthetic after 10k to 15k which is, I believe, what's normally recommended. Bottom line is that with either oil you're not gonna hurt nothin'. It's jus' recommended that the best way to mate the movin' parts up is to allow them some time with your normal ol' fossil oils. Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

06-07-2007, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 2,814	I agree with what has already been stated. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

06-07-2007, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
S2000dude Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Lake Hts, NJ Posts: 241	Well Toby, the oil that's in a new S shouldn't be changed till 7k. I know that sounds like too long a time but that's what Honda recommends. After the break in oil has surved it's purpose you're free to put in any oil you want. I would just put in a good Dino (10W30) and then when you hit 9/10k switch over to a Syn. One important bit of advice - Keep tabs on the oil level while you're breaking her in ! __________________ you've just entered a dimension of sight & sound and high Revs. You've entered the V-Tec Zone ! 2005 NFR - good bye ol' friend 2008 Laguna Blue - welcome to my garage ! My first car - 1956 Studebaker Hawk !

06-07-2007, 01:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stephen G Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks very much for the info............now, what's the best mineral "running in" oil?

06-07-2007, 07:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,436	I know we tend to go on about what an exclusive ride we all got, but the bottom line is that it's still a @*#&in' Honda. It's not so pinky-in-the-air as to be all that fussy about what kind'a oil you use. The weight of the oil is important, but any of the known brands'll do. But Dude's suggestion about keepin' an eye on your oil is a good one and I'd go it one further to make it a regular habit no matter how long you have the car. Yeah, it may be overkill, all it takes is once for it to pay for itself, right? Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

06-08-2007, 03:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
Stephen G Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks Might seem like a bit of fuss about just oil, but for such a beautiful engine, it's worth it. You get your money's worth in the second 100k mikes!! Thanks for all the inputs..............will keep you posted.

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