I have about 650 miles on my S. Should I change the oil and filter at this point or wait until I have 3000 miles?


If I do change the oil now what type should I use? Can I use synthetic? I've read somewhere that using synthetic before 7000 miles doesn't allow the engine to break in properly. Is this true?

I know that these questions have been asked before. I've read some of the answers and are more confused. What should I do?

Thanks.

 

Read your manual. I gives you all the oil related answers. Depending on how you drive, you should change it between 3750 and 7500 miles. Your first couple of changes should be regular oil (10W-30) then you could go with synthetic. Some owners feel differently about all of this; however, I have to go with what Hoda recommends.

 

DO NOT CHANGE THE OIL!

Leave it in there until you have 7500 miles. Your engine will thank you for it.

 

Out of curiosity, why is it so important to leave the factory oil in the engine till at least 3750 miles? In all of my previous vehicles, i've always changed out the factory oil and filter at 1000 miles. Would it be safe to change the oil filter out before 3750 miles? I understand the oil might be able to go 7500 miles, but I can't understand how the filter can possibly go that long without getting clogged up. Since apparantly there is a special additive in the factory fill oil, would it be possible for us to change the old oil out before 3750 miles, and then add this additive into the next batch of oil?


Thanks

 

It is believed by many (myself included) that there is no "special" additive in the factory fill oil. Oil analysis done on the factory oil showed high moly content but this can be attributed to "assembly lube" which all engines are put together with. Once the engine has been fired up for the first time, the assembly lube has done its job. The moly no longer has much use once it has been diluted out. It was this kind of analysis and unsubstantiated rumours that led many to "believe" there was a "special" factory fill. Dealers have admitted to not being able to get this "special" oil and yet when they rebuild a blown up engine, they put "ordinary" oil into those engines. Any bets that an oil analysis of that oil will turn up high moly content too? That's because they used assembly lube to rebuild those engines. (That's my story and I'm sticking with it.)
Some members have changed to synthetic oil very early after delivery and have reported no adverse consequences, however, if you are concientious, you ought to do what the owner's manual says. As I have said in other threads (and has been argued by others), waiting till over 7000 miles for most people doesn't make sense.
In fact, the S2000's of Australia have their first change at 1000 miles, so go figure. If you really must hold off till 7500 miles, at the very least, consider changing out just the filter @3700 and topping up the resultant oil loss (which should be no more than 1/2 qt.).

 

There are so many variables involved it is not a yes or no question.

It depends on your weather conditions
It depends on your driving conditions
Every car is different
Every oil is different

The bottom line is to check your oil frequently like the owner's manual says to. It appears that to most of our S2000 owners, the "break-in" oil will not last 7500 miles. Mine didn't. It lasted about 4,000 miles and I took it to my dealer and they changed it.

Personally, I change (and I've always) changed my oil at 3750 miles on all of my cars, and they have been very happy engines, with no problems. Whether you use synthetic or not is up to you.