I have had my S2000 for just over a week now and have been studying the manual every night as I know I should. Today, I had my oil changed on my '02 RSX Type S for the first time (5,800 miles) and was wondering what the logic is for the S2000 requiring 10W30 grade oil and the RSX requiring 5W30 (as instructed on the engine oil cap). The manual says you can use 10W30 in the RSX only if you don't go below 20 degrees F, but to my mind both these engines are better served with the extra protection offered by 10W30.

My Honda mechanic (work on Acura and Honda exclusively), when asked, said it was completely due to the added marketing pressures/advantages offered with the ever so slight gas mileage enhancement the RSX engine produces when using 5W30. The vast majority don't really concern themselves with gas mileage statistics with the S2000, as they are interested in a true performance sports car. Protectng their engine is more important. He recommended staying with 10W30 as he has with all the Hondas and Acuras he has serviced over the past 15 years. He has numerous customers with over 300,000 miles on their cars and several with over 450,000 miles...all with 10W30. So who am I to argue with those numbers...10W30 it is for both the S and RSX Type S. Just curious what you guys think. Also, if I change my mineral oil and oil filter every 3-4k miles, am I better off doing this or, alternatively, going with synthetic and changing it every 7,500 miles. I'm guessing the former, as two oil filters within 7,500 miles are better than one.

Believe it or not, the '00 2.8 Z3 I had up until last week required oil changes (according to BMW's service lights on the dash) every 13,500 miles with synthetic. Unbelievable, but it was within warranty specs remarkably enough. What about the poor oil filter?!!! Thank God I am rid of that car....the absolute worst car I have ever owned from a reliability and servicing standpoint. The BMW "attitude" and overall lack of customer respect I encountered was abhorrent at best, at every level....including BMW of North America. It's "the ultimate driving machine".....when you have it. Most of the time it is being recalled or waiting for that "special part" to arrive from Germany that needs to be specially programmed to your car's computer. I guess getting them to perform this task in South Carolina, where these gems are built, is too much to ask. Z4....yeah right. I'll just wear a "Kick me" sign on my back. BMW loaner car....what's that??!! Never had one in three years. Always seemed to not have one that day or just missed it as the last one just left. They actually gave me a Suzuki Sidekick, that reaked of smoke, for 28 days while they tried to figure out what was wrong with the ABS and DSC and ordered the part from Germany. Two weeks later it went again!! I can write another 10 paragraphs on the other things that went wrong with the car but I won't bore you. I fought for 6 months to get a pro rata credit of the days lost on my lease as it was not only unacceptable, but an insult. They just don't care as business seems to be good....afterall it's the Ultimate Driving Machine.

I've had three Acuras and now the S2000 and so far the only servicing necessary has been oil changes. No problems with an Integra GSR, TL or RSX Type S. Even my 5 year old Honda liquid cooled tractor has performed flawlessly. As my Honda mechanic said to me today when I described my BMW experience (which took quite some time)............"you strayed." Well, now I'm back... and for good. Keep your German engineering as far as I'm concerned. I may be over generalizing, but that's how I feel, because I was burned repeatedly over the past three years. It's even put me off looking at brands like Audi, Mercedes, and VW. Porsche perhaps the only German make I would consider in the future. I wonder if they charge a $350 disposition fee at lease end and $100-$200 per tire for simplying puting your alotted 36k miles on them....the Ultimate Driving Machine does.

Interested in your thoughts......thanks.

 

Anyone?

I've modified my post, by the way, to include my experiences with my Z3 and BMW.

Thanks

 

I bring in Mobil1 10W-30 for all of my oil changes. The dealer does this for me. I started it around 12k miles and now have 37k miles on the S2000. Looking forward to keeping her in "tip-top" shape for years to come.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cdr
[B]I have had my S2000 for just over a week now and have been studying the manual every night as I know I should.

 

i just got my s2k recently, but in the future i plan on changing the oil every 3 months(not every 3000 miles, i reach 3months much earlier than 3,000 miles) with genuine honda 10w-30 or maybe mobil1. for breakin purposes, im going to keep in the factory oil for 3750 miles and then change it. i never liked synthetic, mineral oils are fine for me.

 

Interestingly enough, my Honda mechanic says that the Honda oil is specially made by Mobil for Honda with some key additives which are designed to assist the lubrication of Vtech engines. Honda oils sounds like a great choice as does Mobil 1.

 

I just stuck with 5W30 in my RSX Type S when I owned it.

Base model RSX's are even worse. They recommend 5w20 which is a total scam.

Do the 10W30 in the RSX Type S. I never did because I simply don't keep my cars long enough to worry about the long-term effects. I've always just done what the manual recommends. Mind you, I do spring for the extra protection of synthetic.

 

We're supposed to change the oil?

 

Nah, its overrated!