Ok I just got a year 2000 s2k. If I want to change oil do I take it to a honda dealer or jiffy lube? What oil/liquids to put in? Sorry if I am asking in the wrong forum.

 

Congratulations on your car purchase.

There are many opinions on this subject, so you may want to do a search to hear what others have said about this. Here's my opinion:

Personally, I wouldn't take it to a Jiffy Lube. They don't torque the drain plug, and I've known them to strip the threads on the oilpan on other cars. Also, they may not have the correct crush washer, so will probably put a conventional washer in place, or reuse the old one. IMO that's not terrible, but compounded with excessive torque on the bolt, the chances of damage are too great. Also, they tend to put the oil filters on way too tight, making it very difficult to remove on the next oil change.

A Honda dealer will be much more apt to do it right. Regardless of where you take it, make sure to tell them to torque the drain plug to the proper specification. If they wont (or can't) do this, take it somewhere else.

And since your car is probably broken in, I'd use synthetic motor oil. But even if you use conventional motor oil, insist that they use a name brand 10W30. The reason I change my own oil is because I've seen too many people get their cars screwed up by so-called professionals that should know what they're doing.

 

Thanks for the advice Slalom

 

Oh, I forgot. The correct torque for the oil drain plug is 33 ft-lbs, as written in the owner's manual, and 29 ft-lbs as written in the Helms manual. IMHO, 29 ft-lbs is probably enough, but 33 is safer. The higher you go, the greater the risk of stripping the threads in the oil pan.

 

Thanks. This brings me to another question. Previous owner have lost the manual - are they available from honda dealer or somewhere else?

 

Call your local dealer and make an appointment for an oil change and ask them about a manual. Never take a car like the S to a quick oil change place.

 

Thanks for knowledgeable answers