Basic fluids
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Basic fluids
So I read a lot of posts here and elsewhere about which fluids to use and not use on these cars. Is there a list somewhere I can add to my manuals that state these? And I'm not really talking brand names but particular oils/weights for particular applications... engine, trans, differential things like that.
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott
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From: St-Redempteur,Qc.
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Scotty, it's all in your owner's manual. 
Page 131 is a good place to start. No need to list things to not use if you only use things you should. Everyone has a favorite brand of bourbon engine oil and it's not yet time to start that weekly discussion.
The only unusual or exotic item needed is SAE 90 GL5 Hypoid Gear oil for the torsion differential -- important enough to put in bold print. Read the label of anything you want to put in there. This is not a conventional limited slip -- Positraction -- differential. Note the current SAE 90 is the lower half of the old SAE 90 -- the spec changed after the S2000 went out of production. Multigrades are available for all lubricants. I'm using full synthetic 75W-110 back there.
Since the 2006+ cars have the Maintenance Minder and you're unlikely to drive this car the needed 6,000 or 8,000 miles a year to trigger any maintenance reminders I recommend you download the 2005 owner's manual as the miles/months schedule is listed there. It's also in the Maintenance Manual which you probably downloaded previously.
Regarding miles/months maintenance I'm convinced that months are meaningless especially regarding full synthetic POL which don't self destruct over 12 months time. Oil is certainly cheap but good oil is good oil. Hydraulics and anti-freeze do age.
I do an annual engine oil analysis -- just like we did on our tank and helicopter engines -- and follow the recommendations. As noted in the air cleaner thread the oil analysis also lists the silicon (dirt) level and the oil's viscosity (and a half dozen other things). I'm fully aware that for the same $35 I spend for the oil analysis I could put 5 quarts of new oil in the engine -- but I'll have no engine wear information without the test. BTW I do an annual soil test of my lawn every spring before dumping random amounts of fertilizer or lime on it.
-- Chuck
Page 131 is a good place to start. No need to list things to not use if you only use things you should. Everyone has a favorite brand of The only unusual or exotic item needed is SAE 90 GL5 Hypoid Gear oil for the torsion differential -- important enough to put in bold print. Read the label of anything you want to put in there. This is not a conventional limited slip -- Positraction -- differential. Note the current SAE 90 is the lower half of the old SAE 90 -- the spec changed after the S2000 went out of production. Multigrades are available for all lubricants. I'm using full synthetic 75W-110 back there.
Since the 2006+ cars have the Maintenance Minder and you're unlikely to drive this car the needed 6,000 or 8,000 miles a year to trigger any maintenance reminders I recommend you download the 2005 owner's manual as the miles/months schedule is listed there. It's also in the Maintenance Manual which you probably downloaded previously.
Regarding miles/months maintenance I'm convinced that months are meaningless especially regarding full synthetic POL which don't self destruct over 12 months time. Oil is certainly cheap but good oil is good oil. Hydraulics and anti-freeze do age.
I do an annual engine oil analysis -- just like we did on our tank and helicopter engines -- and follow the recommendations. As noted in the air cleaner thread the oil analysis also lists the silicon (dirt) level and the oil's viscosity (and a half dozen other things). I'm fully aware that for the same $35 I spend for the oil analysis I could put 5 quarts of new oil in the engine -- but I'll have no engine wear information without the test. BTW I do an annual soil test of my lawn every spring before dumping random amounts of fertilizer or lime on it.
-- Chuck
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Scotty, it's all in your owner's manual. Page 131 is a good place to start. No need to list things to not use if you only use things you should. Everyone has a favorite brand of bourbon engine oil and it's not yet time to start that weekly discussion.
The only unusual or exotic item needed is SAE 90 GL5 Hypoid Gear oil for the torsion differential -- important enough to put in bold print. Read the label of anything you want to put in there. This is not a conventional limited slip -- Positraction -- differential. Note the current SAE 90 is the lower half of the old SAE 90 -- the spec changed after the S2000 went out of production. Multigrades are available for all lubricants. I'm using full synthetic 75W-110 back there.
Since the 2006+ cars have the Maintenance Minder and you're unlikely to drive this car the needed 6,000 or 8,000 miles a year to trigger any maintenance reminders I recommend you download the 2005 owner's manual as the miles/months schedule is listed there. It's also in the Maintenance Manual which you probably downloaded previously.
Regarding miles/months maintenance I'm convinced that months are meaningless especially regarding full synthetic POL which don't self destruct over 12 months time. Oil is certainly cheap but good oil is good oil. Hydraulics and anti-freeze do age.
I do an annual engine oil analysis -- just like we did on our tank and helicopter engines -- and follow the recommendations. As noted in the air cleaner thread the oil analysis also lists the silicon (dirt) level and the oil's viscosity (and a half dozen other things). I'm fully aware that for the same $35 I spend for the oil analysis I could put 5 quarts of new oil in the engine -- but I'll have no engine wear information without the test. BTW I do an annual soil test of my lawn every spring before dumping random amounts of fertilizer or lime on it.
-- Chuck
Page 131 is a good place to start. No need to list things to not use if you only use things you should. Everyone has a favorite brand of The only unusual or exotic item needed is SAE 90 GL5 Hypoid Gear oil for the torsion differential -- important enough to put in bold print. Read the label of anything you want to put in there. This is not a conventional limited slip -- Positraction -- differential. Note the current SAE 90 is the lower half of the old SAE 90 -- the spec changed after the S2000 went out of production. Multigrades are available for all lubricants. I'm using full synthetic 75W-110 back there.
Since the 2006+ cars have the Maintenance Minder and you're unlikely to drive this car the needed 6,000 or 8,000 miles a year to trigger any maintenance reminders I recommend you download the 2005 owner's manual as the miles/months schedule is listed there. It's also in the Maintenance Manual which you probably downloaded previously.
Regarding miles/months maintenance I'm convinced that months are meaningless especially regarding full synthetic POL which don't self destruct over 12 months time. Oil is certainly cheap but good oil is good oil. Hydraulics and anti-freeze do age.
I do an annual engine oil analysis -- just like we did on our tank and helicopter engines -- and follow the recommendations. As noted in the air cleaner thread the oil analysis also lists the silicon (dirt) level and the oil's viscosity (and a half dozen other things). I'm fully aware that for the same $35 I spend for the oil analysis I could put 5 quarts of new oil in the engine -- but I'll have no engine wear information without the test. BTW I do an annual soil test of my lawn every spring before dumping random amounts of fertilizer or lime on it.
-- Chuck
Thanks Chucky (I couldn't resist) you always give me good info!
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From: Foothills East of Sacramento
I might add Mobile 1 75w-90 is also in the sweet spot, it is what I use. A well know S2000 mechanic expert here, Billman, has said he has seen it perform without a problem for the duration.
Some tips: buy another Honda magnetic diff drain plug and use it for the diff fill bolt so you have the same size bolt filling and draining and you get another magnet.
Some tips: buy another Honda magnetic diff drain plug and use it for the diff fill bolt so you have the same size bolt filling and draining and you get another magnet.
Joined: Aug 2012
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I might add Mobile 1 75w-90 is also in the sweet spot, it is what I use. A well know S2000 mechanic expert here, Billman, has said he has seen it perform without a problem for the duration.
Some tips: buy another Honda magnetic diff drain plug and use it for the diff fill bolt so you have the same size bolt filling and draining and you get another magnet.
Some tips: buy another Honda magnetic diff drain plug and use it for the diff fill bolt so you have the same size bolt filling and draining and you get another magnet.
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Engine Oil: 10w-30 or 5w-40. As long as you stay in the -30 or -40 range you could use what ever 0w, 5w, 10w viscosity you want.
Transmission: Hondas MTF or any high quality 75w or 75w-80 GL 4 Manual transmission oil. MTL
Differential: SAE 90 GL5 is what honda calls for, you could use any 75w-90 GL5, 75w-110 GL5or even 75w-140 GL5. Most -140 are on the very thin side, just a little bit thicker as the -110 when you read the data sheets of the manufacturers.
Coolant: Hondas own, but i simply prefer name brand Silkate free(!) coolant wich is reccomend by the coolant manufacter for Honda.
Transmission: Hondas MTF or any high quality 75w or 75w-80 GL 4 Manual transmission oil. MTL
Differential: SAE 90 GL5 is what honda calls for, you could use any 75w-90 GL5, 75w-110 GL5or even 75w-140 GL5. Most -140 are on the very thin side, just a little bit thicker as the -110 when you read the data sheets of the manufacturers.
Coolant: Hondas own, but i simply prefer name brand Silkate free(!) coolant wich is reccomend by the coolant manufacter for Honda.
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FYI... the difference between 70W-90 and 75W-140 differential fluid. It's not the same rating as motor oils.
https://mycarmakesnoise.com/oil/75w-...il-comparison/
https://mycarmakesnoise.com/oil/75w-...il-comparison/
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From: South Carolina
FYI... the difference between 70W-90 and 75W-140 differential fluid. It's not the same rating as motor oils.
https://mycarmakesnoise.com/oil/75w-...il-comparison/
https://mycarmakesnoise.com/oil/75w-...il-comparison/