Looking for advice on my dilemma. I bought my 2002 S2K in July of last year brand new. I only had the opportunity to put about 1,500 miles on her before I had to put her away for winter storage. Per advice on this forum, I have not started her all winter. We all know Honda says to keep the "mystery" break-in oil for a minimum of 3,750 miles, more likely 7,500. But the prospect of driving her around with oil that sat idle since November is wearing on me. What would you do? Change it or keep it?

 

Here's what I would do:
Since you have 1500 miles on 'er, dump out about 2 to 2.5 qts (about 1/2 of your car's oil load), include the 1/2 qt or so in the filter change and top up with new dino oil of the same wt. Now you have the best of both worlds and when you get to your desired mileage, do the proper change to dino again. Now, if you don't put enough mileage on the car this year, then I'd suggest not worrying about keeping any of the factory oil in it and just go with the complete change next year. For your pre-storage oil maintenance, put in the cheapest oil you can find, leave the filter as is since the cheap oil will dilute what's in the filter anyway, run the car for a short drive (up to operating temp) before storage and then change it all to the good stuff in the following spring.

 

I think your fine. I won't give it a second thought. I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to start it occassionally? I try to run mine for maybe 20 minutes or so once a month while in storage.

 

Change the oil - oil absorbs water over time.

I don't start mine during the winter either.

 

Are you sure you aren't confusing oil with brake fluid? Remember, oil and water don't mix.

 

always a good idea

 

I would think the advantage of the molybdenum's attributes would outweigh any storage detriments.

Additionally, given how much oil consumption typically occurs during the break-in period, you'll be topping it off so frequently there's little reason to change now.

Just my theory,

Randy

 

What's "winter" ?

 

okay, here is another question.

I changed my oil just before storing the car, so probably around 100km on the oil...do I change it in the next few weeks when it comes out or not? To answer my own question, I think the answer is yes, BUT how do I know what the age of the oil on the shelf is? So what would be the difference between the 100 km, 6 month old oil in the car and the 0 km/ who knows how old oil on the store shelf????

 

IMO it does more harm for an engine to sit idle than to be started up. I believe in running it long enough to be sure everthing is at full operating temperature. Starting it up lubs the seals, etc. and ensures the fluids are circulated. In fact I did so just today. The time before it was 01/30/03, as I keep a log. It was 45 degrees today and I let the car run for almost 1/2 hour. There was way to much salt water on the road to actually take it out for a spin -- so this was the next best thing. Sorry, oil doesn't absorb water.