I know mercedes engine (MY98+) adjusts the service indicator by measuring the dielectric constant of the oil to determine the oil condition.

Do we have something similar in our S2k?

 

I am about to do an oil analysis at 5000 to determine when it is necessary.

 

This is a little off topic, but it deserves some input.

Indirectly it will - however small the impact.
Both synthetic and mineral oils are processed from crude. Synthetic is produced by braking down processed crude products (and other raw petroleum resources) chemically and recombining them into 'designer molecules'.

If the demand for crude is reduced because of a reduction in the demand of lubrication products - there will be a small impact - even though the amount of crude processed into lubrication products is relatively small compared to the amount processed into fuels.

Nevertheless, EVERY bit helps. Universally using a 10% ethanol gas is another small step. It won't directly reduce the price of gas - but it's a reduction in the use of crude based products from overseas.

Utilizing longer drain intervals is a small step that will add up over time.

Here's a recent example (yesterday) why we need to do everything possible to reduce our dependence on foreign oil:
In Bahrain - arguably one of the friendliest Arab countries to the west - western coalition service members were restricted from going to theaters after a showing of UAL Flight 93 - There were mass applause and cheering (during the terrorist attacks) by a majority of Arabs - at several theaters. The service members present in the theaters at the time showed incredible restraint and left. This is just one of many examples I've seen here that illustrates there is no one in this region that is truly a friend to the west. They tolerate our presence because we make them incredibly rich. Our dependence on foreign oil needs to end.

USE LONGER DRAIN INTERVALS (and sell that damn SUV)

 

People who constantly change their oil every 3000 miles/3 month or less, on an oil burning engine, should be aware that they may be harming the catalytic converter. The level of ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate) in the oil will still be high on a synthetic-base and HDEO (heavy duty engine oil) after 3000 miles/3 month. ZDDP kills cataltytic converters if the engine burns a lot of oil.

 

MY00 w/93k miles.

M1 10w30 every 5000 miles or 6 months.

 

Wow...I'm also amazed by how often people change oil.

Does everyone think they fit the "severe maintenance schedule"??

Very interesting poll.

 

For the people who change oil on longer intervals:

Do you change your oil filter at the same interval?

 

Yes.

 

You left out "After every track event".

 

i'm sorta new to this site, end just jot my S2k last week. I read through the owners manual and it said

'replace every 7,500 miles (12000km) or 1 year.'

does that sound about right? i think i'm gonna follow those instructions.

BTW, its a 2002 with 28K miles, no mods, and vtec maybe 4-5 times a week. Its a DD, mostly highway comute to school and work.
( if my vtec usage seems low, its because i'm still new to manual transmition cars, plus i don't want to break anything by over-reving )

thanks for the info