kinda embarrassed to ask this:

well i was just reading about having to check oil quite a bit on these cars... so i did today...it was under low

very surprised... i guess im just used to not checking as much... i have only driven it 2000 kms since the last oil change.....
is this really bad?
do i just pour in the oil... sorry im a dork... i usually just take my car to the dealership and let them take care of everything....
10w30 i beleive is right

 

J, you cannot leave the responsibility for this kind of thing to the dealer. You don't see the dealer often enough. This car can burn up to 1 L of oil every 1000 - 1500 KMs and still be considered "normal", depending on how much you VTEC or drive it hard. You must check the oil at least every fuel up till you know how many KMs you can go to use up a known quantity of oil.
Yes, this car takes 10W30 dino oil but the previous owner may have used a synthetic. If in doubt, you should get a L (or two) of 10W30 dino ("normal") oil and top it up to the "full" line. Since you say it's below the "add" mark, put one L in and check it. If it shows, you're good to go for the day. Do a cold check the next morning to be sure of where it is. It can be anywhere between the add and full mark, but aim closer for the full mark.

 

Is it OK to mix viscosities? What if he has 5W30 in there? Would that just give him 6W30??

 

Yes, you can mix viscosities and yes, you would get some weird "averaging" of the viscosity. When I have to add oil as the season changes, I would typically use a 5W30 to top up going into winter if I'm not ready for an oil change and if I already had 5W30 in there after a winter change and spring came, I would top up with 10W30 till my next change.

 

Don't feel bad.....I sort of failed to notice oil levels myself in the summer and fall. I never had a car that I thought you had to check the oil as much before, but I guess like Xviper says about the Vtecing uses up lots of oil and if you do it often you can go through a lot. I felt bad about it as well but know that it's on the radar that it must be checked very often.

 

10w30 gets really thick (like syrup) at about -20

 

Yes, it does, but not knowing what he's got in there right now, it's a safe bet to go with dino oil till he gets an oil change and can choose from that point on. When it gets that cold out where he parks it, he should be plugging the thing in. That'll help the oil flow somewhat although the oil in the pan is not being heated by the block heater.

 

I've been using 10w30 Mobil 1 year-round in both of my s2000's without issue. I do still try to plug it in when the temps are below -20. However, it was sitting outside all day at work a couple of days ago, temps were around -28, and it did indeed start without being plugged in.

 

thanks! now i dont feel as dumb... so do u think i should just go and buy some 10w30 oil or 5w30 since i dont know what they have been using before? how many should i buy? i normally use quaker state oil is that good or bad for s2000's?

 

Get some dino oil - 10W30 and top it up. Get 2 - 1 to top up now and another one on standby to top up as you use the oil up.
You may want to re-think Quaker State. This oil used to be well known for sludging up engines. I'm not sure they are any better today. There was a big law suit some years ago. Go with Castrol if you can. Crappy Tire should be a good place to get your oil.