New owner with question
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From: Riverside
New owner with question
Hi everyone
I am a new owner (2003 Sebring Silver / Red). I work for the printer that did the brochure for the 2000 model year introduction and have been salivating over this car ever since. I have been thrilled with my new car since buying it last week but have a question about the trans. I have read about the 2nd gear grind problems and understand that they may or may not have been fixed last year. My problem is not with 2nd gear but with 3rd. When making low RPM shifts, while driving around town, the shift from 2nd into 3rd is a little notchy. The condition is very minor and goes away completely if I shift above 6000 RPM. Is this normal, will it smooth out over time?
Emilio
I am a new owner (2003 Sebring Silver / Red). I work for the printer that did the brochure for the 2000 model year introduction and have been salivating over this car ever since. I have been thrilled with my new car since buying it last week but have a question about the trans. I have read about the 2nd gear grind problems and understand that they may or may not have been fixed last year. My problem is not with 2nd gear but with 3rd. When making low RPM shifts, while driving around town, the shift from 2nd into 3rd is a little notchy. The condition is very minor and goes away completely if I shift above 6000 RPM. Is this normal, will it smooth out over time?
Emilio
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
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From: Central Massachusetts
Greetings, Emilio. Welcome aboard!
I don't know the answer to your question, but you might find something in the search tab if you poke around.
Don't know how long you've had your S, but Honda recommends not to go into VTEC unless you've exceeded 600 miles.
Also, they recommend natural oil (rather than synthetic) until the engine is fully broken in (around 7500 miles or so, when it may stop burning oil).
Best wishes from New England!
p.s./ Oh, if you want, you can punch your VIN into your s2ki profile and turn yourself from guest into owner.
I don't know the answer to your question, but you might find something in the search tab if you poke around.
Don't know how long you've had your S, but Honda recommends not to go into VTEC unless you've exceeded 600 miles.
Also, they recommend natural oil (rather than synthetic) until the engine is fully broken in (around 7500 miles or so, when it may stop burning oil).
Best wishes from New England!
p.s./ Oh, if you want, you can punch your VIN into your s2ki profile and turn yourself from guest into owner.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Milford
Emillo,
I got my car a few weeks ago. The shifter is notchy, especially like yours between 2nd to 3rd. I have tried pausing while shifting to allow the actuators to catch up, but I still feel it is notchy here. My car was manufactured on 2/27/2003.
As I only have a couple hundred miles on the car I have done low RPM shifts only, and have tried to limit RPMs to 5K or less.
I hope as I breakin the shifter and transmission this goes away.
I got my car a few weeks ago. The shifter is notchy, especially like yours between 2nd to 3rd. I have tried pausing while shifting to allow the actuators to catch up, but I still feel it is notchy here. My car was manufactured on 2/27/2003.
As I only have a couple hundred miles on the car I have done low RPM shifts only, and have tried to limit RPMs to 5K or less.
I hope as I breakin the shifter and transmission this goes away.
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From: Lyndhurst
When I'm just doing city driving, I go from first to second to fourth. I've been doing this for years when I had my '87 and '94 Integras. Basically, I only use third when I'm getting on a freeway or when I down shift. I really have had no problems with third.
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From: Riverside
Thanks for the replies guys. Chazmo, I have done all my shifting at or below 4500 RPM until today, I just broke 600mi. Even today I only ran it up into VTEC a few times and nowhere near redline (still quite a thrill). The trans shift smooth as silk above 6000 RPM so I don't think I'll worry about it now. Ralper, I have read about checking the oil a lot during breakin. I show no measurable oil usage in the first 600mi, is this unusual?
Emilio
Emilio
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
Likes: 45
From: Central Massachusetts
That's good, Emilio.
I had no oil consumption either until I started driving harder after the 600mi. It only recently sealed up after 7500 miles or so.
Just check it at every fill up (both sides of the dipstick) and if you see it dropping, add a little bit at a time. Your engine won't seal up completely right away. However, not all engines show oil use. Better safe than sorry, Emilio.
Best wishes.
I had no oil consumption either until I started driving harder after the 600mi. It only recently sealed up after 7500 miles or so.
Just check it at every fill up (both sides of the dipstick) and if you see it dropping, add a little bit at a time. Your engine won't seal up completely right away. However, not all engines show oil use. Better safe than sorry, Emilio.
Best wishes.
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From: Randolph, NJ
Emilio
Some S2000s use oil, some don't. Mine didn't until about 750 miles then started to consume some. At about 3500 miles the consumption seems to have stopped. Still, it is a good idea to check your oil regularly on a car like ours that loves to be driven. Also, part of the fun of owning a sportscar is being involved with it and getting your hands dirty.
If your car does consume some oil, it is nothing to worry about, it is expected. Keep checking and top up with dino. No synthetic until 10,000 miles.
Some S2000s use oil, some don't. Mine didn't until about 750 miles then started to consume some. At about 3500 miles the consumption seems to have stopped. Still, it is a good idea to check your oil regularly on a car like ours that loves to be driven. Also, part of the fun of owning a sportscar is being involved with it and getting your hands dirty.
If your car does consume some oil, it is nothing to worry about, it is expected. Keep checking and top up with dino. No synthetic until 10,000 miles.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: columbia
Ok, I've read on this board several times to use dino oil instead of synthetic to top off the oil during break-in. But I've never actually seen an explanation of what dino oil is exactly. Does dino oil simply mean non-synthetic, regular oil... or is it something specific I need to be on the lookout for? I realize this may seem like common knowledge, so i feel a bit foolish asking... but I definitely want to follow the recommended procedures. Thanks.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
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From: Central Massachusetts
D.J.,
Dino oil is non-synthetic. It's derived from crude oil. Synthetic oil has a smaller chemical makeup. Dino oil doesn't handle high temperatures as well as synthetic, and you get something called "viscosity breakdown" with dino oil over time... That's why you need to change it more often.
Synthetic oils will either say "synthetic" or "blend" on the packaging, so that's what you should look out for. Wal-Mart has several different oils. Also, most manufacturers have all types of oils, so just read what it says. FWIW, I've been using Quaker State. I plan to switch to Mobil 1 (synthetic) at my next change. Neb just crossed 10K miles today!
Dino oil is non-synthetic. It's derived from crude oil. Synthetic oil has a smaller chemical makeup. Dino oil doesn't handle high temperatures as well as synthetic, and you get something called "viscosity breakdown" with dino oil over time... That's why you need to change it more often.
Synthetic oils will either say "synthetic" or "blend" on the packaging, so that's what you should look out for. Wal-Mart has several different oils. Also, most manufacturers have all types of oils, so just read what it says. FWIW, I've been using Quaker State. I plan to switch to Mobil 1 (synthetic) at my next change. Neb just crossed 10K miles today!