Sorry for the newb post...I've been searching but got so many different answers that I thought I'd just ask.

I got a brand new 03 and just hit the 3000 mile mark.
Now the service manual says change engine oil every 7500mi/1 yr but I've always changed my oil around every 3000 miles on my prelude when I had it.
I bought 5 quarts of mobil 1 and was thinking about doing the oil change today.

My questions are
Should I do an oil change now or can I wait it out (if so how long before I change the oil)?
And is mobil 1 ok to use this early or should I use something else
Do I need to replace the filter every oil change too?

Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to mess up my baby in any way.
Thanks ahead of time and I love this board.

V/R
Rich

 

hello newcomer, make sure you do this:
-check oil level constantly because the s2000 will burn alot of oil during the break in period and fill it up using castrol gtx.

-i would leave the original oil in until at least 4-5k miles than switch it to castrol gtx.

-anytime after 10k mile you can switch to synthetic but i waited at around 14k to make sure my car was fully broken in.

-change the oil filter at every oil change and make sure honda gives you the right oil filter that is made in japan. to be sure, i would just buy the oil filters from one of the sponsors on this board (handa-accessories)

-also, try changing the differential(mobil 1 gear lube is what i use) and tranny (honda mtf work well), i did and everything feels smooth.

 

AP1ayer is right. You shouldn't switch to synthetic until you have at least 10,000 miles. Since Honda uses a special "break-in" oil, it is desirable to stay with that for a few more thousand miles, but opinions vary. Personally I changed mine out at around 4000 miles. But you want to stay with a non-synthetic motor oil to allow the rings to seat properly. So hang on to your Mobil 1 for a later oil change, and get some conventional motor oil for your next change.

 

I'm waiting until 3750 per the severe schedule in the owner's manual. Then I'm going back to the dealer because it's a freebie and making SURE they use the correct filter and oil viscosity. DO wait until 10k or more to use synthetic as recommended by Honda. After the dealer oil change, I believe I might stick with the Honda OEM lubes and do them myself at 3750 intervals and everything else per the severe schedule in the owner's manual.

 

I did my first change at 3500 and from then on did it every 3000. Went from Mobil 1 at 10k back to Castrol GTX at 25k.

 

i changed mine at 2k miles, the oil came out very dark and dirty. im glad i changed it at 2k miles. my rule is 3750 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first(only for initial oil change interval). i had about 6-7 months on the oil and it is important to know that after some time, oil can break down and won't protect as well. it can also take in moisture which is not a good thing.

cliff notes:
first oil change: 3750 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first
use castrol gtx 10w30, you'll need 5.2 quarts + new oil filter

-stay away from moibl 1 (synthetics) until 10k miles

after the initial oil change, change at 3k miles or 3 months, whichever comes first

 

Welcome to the board. You can find the maintenance schedule in the FAQ note at the top of this forum.

Thank you.