Hello everyone. I own an '03 S2K which I picked up on March 11, 2003. I currently have 2,900 miles on the clock and am getting ready to put it up for the winter. My question is, should I change the oil before winter or wait 'til the recommended mileage before changing it. Thanks in advance for your feedback

 

Change it - the question of whether the engine is sufficiently run-in with the factory fill is debatable - the possible damage from acidified oil is not.

 

I would keep the break-in oil with only 2,900 miles. Just make sure you run it once a week for 10 or 15 minutes. At the end of the winter, change the oil.

 

oil can only be good up to 6 months, change it ASAP. i was originally going to change the initial oil at 3750 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. i hit 6 months first and changed it at 2k miles. oil can take in moisture over time and can become acidified as road rage has already mentioned. if you're worried about the special "factory oil", you can add a can of molybdenum additive during the oil change.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HI SPEEDR
Just make sure you run it once a week for 10 or 15 minutes.

 

The worst thing you could do to your car while storing it in the winter is to start it up once a week and not drive it around a while to fully warm up the engine. Please don't do that.

I would change the oil if it were my car before you store it.

 

when it comes to oil, I would take whatever advice Road Rage posts. the guy makes a living out of analyzing the stuff (tribologist-- look it up).

many thanks for joining s2ki Road Rage. your opinions are most welcome.

 

Change it. Don't start it over the winter. Keep the battery charged with a charger. Before startup, put some oil down on the pistons to help lubrication on startup.

IF you do start it periodically you need to run it at operating temp for enough time to burn off any condensation that might collect in the exhaust system.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tritium_pie

 

I don't yet own an S2k, but do own both a Civic and Accord. The strategy I've used on both, and seems to work well:

1. Keep the original oil for 1000 - 1500 miles, then change it with a quality "fossil fuel" oil and change the filter. This time frame is where the most metal will be collected in the filter, or suspended in the oil.

2. Keep the "dinosaur" oil in for 2000 - 2500 miles, or 3500 - 4000 total miles. At this point, I change over to 100% pure synthetic, and change the filter to one with cotton batting instead of pleated paper.

3. Hereafter, I change the oil and filter once a year, or 24k miles, whichever comes first, which is Amsoil's recommendation.

My Civic has slightly over 100k miles, and burns no oil, takes no oil, leaks no oil, etc. The key thing to remember is to allow the piston rings to fully seat/break in before going with synthetic. If you change over to synthetic before this, the rings will never seat properly because the synthetic lubricates too well.
Many years ago, this "break in" would have required about 10k miles, but with today's CNC machining, and the way the cylinder bores are honed and polished, it only requires about a third of the mileage as cars of yesteryear. No, I'm not an Amsoil dealer, and don't exclusively endorse only their products. Probably any good quality, 100% pure (no blends) synthetic will do the same job. Synthetics do a much better job of reducing "cold start" wear, increases mileage slightly due to superior lubrication, and will not break down like dinosaur oil...there are no benzines, parafins, etc. (sp?) When I do purchase an S2k, it will be given the same treatment as my other two Hondas.