Hey guys,

With Nov coming up, the s2000 needs to get ready for hibernation. I've already spent the past hour or so reading through "winter storage" threads and all things agreed upon will be taken into consideration. Unfortunately, the topics of 'running the car during the winter' and 'when to change the oil' still seem to be debated upon, resulting in no real verdict.

1. Running the car during the winter:
- To my understanding the only real side effects of NOT running the engine at all during the winter is that fluids aren't being circulated? Please correct me of I'm wrong.
- The huge problem with running the car and not letting it get to it's proper running temperature (which is pretty hard to do if it's off insurance/ salt on the ground/ too f'in cold out/ etc.) is that it builds condensation, thus hurting the entire lifespan of the car. Also, cold starts are not exactly good for the engine.

Ultimately, I'm going to have the car off the road from Nov - March, so only 5 months. If I were to start the car, it would only be monthly and I would just let it sit idle while revving it up a bit. I will most likely be unable to actually drive it. So I'm leaning more towards the argument of just letting her sit and taking the battery out and putting it in a warm room. If one of the experts on here sees this to be detrimental, please let me know.


2. Next topic - changing oil:
- I changed the oil (mobil 1) back in May, so roughly 5 months ago. I'll have put 5k on the oil, so I'm pretty sure everyone would agree to change the oil and filter before I put it into storage. The question is though - do I change it again in the Spring? Even if I plan on not starting the car up? If I should change the oil do I need to change the filter too?

Again, I know this topic has already been seen on the forums, but I'm making this thread to sort of get a finalized answer. Thanks in advance!

 

1. Yeah basically the fluids dont get circulated but with you starting it up every month for a warm-up I doubt it would affect the fluid really. The only major one is the oil and that's addressed in the 2nd answer.

I'm planning to run my S2k through the winter (minus snow days) so here's hoping she copes with all the drama


2 - I would of thought that changing the oil after the storage would be appropriate as you know, 6 months is usually the lifespan of the oil. So you could use it for a month (to April). I would doubt that the oil filter would need changing as they are rated for a change every 2 oil changes... but for a couple of $$ it may just be worth swapping it for a freshy up to you

 

If you change it before you put it away, I don't think changing it in the Spring is warranted. I don't think "6 months is the lifespan of oil," either. Many Porsches, etc., have yearly oil change (~10-15k mile) service intervals.

You'll have more wear from one spirited drive than from not changing your oil come Spring (assuming you changed it before storage), IMHO.

 

I'm in agreement with most of the comments made above. I've replaced the oil in my car prior to storing it, and don't intend on starting the car until sometime in March or April depending on weather.

As far as the oil goes, call me paranoid, but I'll spend the extra few bucks to replace the oil and filter in the spring... Not sure if replacing the filter is necessary since the car has essentially not moved since I put oil in but I'll replace it anyway.



Slightly OT, but the other thing to do is make sure your car is properly rodent-proof.. I had a mouse issue in the past so this year I'm taking more precaution than I have in the past.. Mouse traps alone isn't cutting it so I'm putting moth balls in a mesh bag by the intake, under the car and by the exhaust area. Hopefully this will help reduce the chance of rodents.

 

The oil needs to be changed every 7,500 mi or 12 months, so I'd change it in the fall before you store the car, and it will be good until next fall (12 mo if you are only putting 5k on the car each spring/summer/fall). There's no point in putting new oil in the car, letting it sit all winter, and then changing out all that new oil in the spring.

Honestly, a cold start up every month is going to be more damaging to the engine since the engine will be completely dry above the oil pan. I'd just change the oil, disconnect the battery, maybe tend it, and get the tires inflated properly on some cardboard. Maybe hand roll the car back and forward a couple feet if you're concerned about the tires.

 

You do realize you'd be replacing brand new oil, right? Age along won't make the oil go bad if its just in storgage for a few months. You might as well simply drain the oil and refill it in the spring, or not change the oil at all in the fall.

 

Hmmm... I thought oil change was supposed to be 3mon/3k miles


Either way, call me paranoid call me wasteful, I'll spend the extra few bucks to enjoy a fresh oil change and filter before driving down to the Dragon in April..

 

Honda owner's manual states 7,500 miles or 12 months between changes. You can certainly change your oil more frequently, but its not necessary. Its operating costs vs peace of mind.

To change the oil in October, drive 0 miles, and then change it in March, is excessive to me however since the oil isn't going to become contaminated just sitting in the car. If you aren't going to drie the car, just store it, you might as well leave the old oil in or just drain the car and refill it in the spring - it doesn't seem to matter since the car isn't doing anything.

 

I always used to think it was 12 months, but I went on to the castrol site etc and they say 6 months... I agree with the 12 (as stated by Honda manual IIRC)

 

Remember that Castrol sells oil, so it may be biased in its recommendations. If you look at Blackstone used oil analyses performed on used S2000 oil here, you'll see that the trend of 12 month or 7,500 mile changes is completely within spec for healthy oil.