I know there have been many posts in the past regarding the S2000 Oil changes and such. Somehow, I can't seem to find a simple answer. I'd like to know when is the "best" time to get that first oil change. I know that the manual says 7500 miles, and I'm sure Honda has a very good reason for that. However, from reading old posts, dozens of people got their first oil change at 3000 miles or some other mileage other than the recommended 7500. What is their reason for doing this?

Second issue is, if and when my s2000 starts to burn oil (less than 900 miles right now), what kind of oil should I put in there (what brand?).

Finally, the dipstick is hard to read, especially those little "x's". I've pulled it out several times and there is always a little oil on the top couple of x's, I can't tell if that's where the oil level is or whether it oil that touched it while I was pulling the stick out..Ughh.

 

7,500 miles but 3,750 for hard service conditions. 3,750 for me or sooner ... At least every six months ...

"Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions '00 S2000
Use this schedule if the vehicle is driven maily in any of these severe conditions:
Less than 5 miles per trip or, in freezing temeperatures, less than 10 miles per trip.
In extremely hot weather (over 90 deg F).
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
Driving in mountainous conditions.
On muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

3,750 miles: replace engine oil and filter ..."

https://www.s2ki.com/faqs/images/Mainsched22.pdf

Any good mineral (non-synthetic) 10W-30 oil with the "starburst" symbol. For me, it will be my dealer's oil-du-jour. I may try Mobil-1 after the first 5,000 or 7,500 miles.

Try reading the dipstick when the car is cold. The oil is a bit thicker then so the film on the stick is a bit easier to read.

Check the dipstick frequently, AT LEAST every time you buy gasoline. Read the fine manual. It actually says that. During the first 2,000 miles I'm checking at least weekly alhough I only buy gas every few weeks.

 

For old timers like me, it's hard to accept change sometimes. However, with today's engine design and cleaner fuels it's clear that engines can go much longer between changes without damage and wear. Personally, I like the number 3,000. It's easy to remember. I plan to change mine every 3,000 miles and I will always change the filter too. I've done this on every car I own and it gives me piece of mind; since I've never had engine problems. Several have gone past the 120k mark without fan fare.

Many of my car's have been 4-cylinder machines and British, so I grown to use Castrol with confidence. I'm sure Mobil 1 is a good choice if you are thinking synthetic.

Hope this helps.

 

Barry hi the nail on the head. As for reading the stick, try wiping it off once then reinsert and read the level. This should give you a clear reading.

 

I found I have to wipe the stick to get a good reading. Never did that before on other Hondas and had good luck. Tried the same thing with the S2K and found the oil to always be full - until I wiped it clean. Then I found I was 3/4 quart low. From now on, I will always wipe the stick before reading.

As for changing oil, I'm in the middle of a vacation that will take me over 4K miles on the original oil plus one quart of Castrol GTX to replace used oil. I will let the dealer do the first change when I get back and will then change to Mobil 1 at 6-7K miles. It's worked like a charm in the past on a wide variety of cars and will do so on this unless something indicates a change...

 

I am not sure whether this is right or wrong, just sharing my experience. When I was a kid and my mom brought me to the gas station to fill up her car, the attendant there always wipe of the dipstick and then reinsert and reread the level while the gas is filling up.(Where I come from, you don't pump your own gas)

 

Well, I've tried wiping it and reading it, but I've noticed that I get different readings on both sides of the dipstick. Which one is correct?

 

I'm with you diq04, change the oil and filter every 3000 miles. I have a 93 Acura Legend coupe 6 speed which I've had since new. Changed the oil every 3000 miles with Mobil 1 5W30. Engine runs like new at 126,000 miles. (car runs like new altogether, just replaced my axles and Brembo cross drilled rotors with Brembo cross drilled/slotted rotors and Porterfield RS4 pads. Next week HondaClutch's new high performance Acura clutch and upper shift linkage bushings go in). My secretary has an 89 Legend coupe with 260,000 miles. Runs fine. Figure if she changes the oil every 3000 miles, her engine should be good for 400,000 miles.

3000 miles, a nice round number easy to remember. Good for the car.

2x6spds