Hey all,

I'm nearing 600 miles on my S2K. About how much oil should be consumed at this point? Also can someone tell me quickly roughly what 1 qt of oil equals to on the dip stick.....3 lines, 4 lines, etc.? A full oil change will take 5 qts, correct?

Thanks,

Archon

 

At 600 miles, you should not have VTEC'd so your oil consumption should be minimal. Once you start the VTEC you'll start using oil (or not). This varies from one car to another. I didn't burn any during this initial break in period but once I started to VTEC, I'd go through maybe 1qt (1L) in the next 1000 km (600 mi.) At about 5000 km, the oil usage tapered off quite a bit and now @ 16000 km, my car is using 1L in about 2000 km, with the most noticable drop after many VTEC's.
1qt would take the level from "add" to "full" (the area within the X's).

 

I agree with Xviper,

During first 600 the oil consumption should be minimal...BUT always check it when you fill up.

I used 1/8 of quart in the first 1200 miles, and now at 2600 miles I'm up to ~7/8 of a quart...hehe...must not be VTEC'ing enough...

note to self...MORE VTEC...

 

In some cars oil consumption will be higher until the car is broken in. 1/2 quart per 1000 miles is not an unusual consumption rate. In other cars, oil consumption will be minimal. As others have mentioned, when driven hard, especially when spending a lot of time in VTEC, oil consumption can rise.

Note that it takes 5.5 quarts of oil to fill the engine when doing a change with filter replacement, not the 5.1 quarts specified in the manual. Because your car comes with special break-in oil, I wouldn't change the oil until at least 3500 miles (some recommend 7500 miles). HTH

 

I know what Honda recomends, but with the gross about of blow-by and fuel that ends up in the oil, I'd recommend a 3000 mile first change with conventional oil, then another at 6k and then synthetic from there on. I don't see what they could do with break-in oil other than use a cheaper oil, or one designed to increase wear. Regardless, I'd want a fresh filter on at 3k and fresh oil to help prevent damage to other components that don't need to "break in."

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Archon
[B]Hey all,

I'm nearing 600 miles on my S2K.

 

Good point, Tanq. When I did my first change and I saw where the drain was, I jacked up the driver's side and drained it that way; have done it ever since. I used to only put 5 quarts in and it would leave the dipstick 1/4 to 1/2 below FULL. Now, running an oversized filter (M1-105), I put 6 quarts in and it's right up to FULL.

 

[QUOTE]

 

Actually "break-in" oil is higher in detergents and Molybdenum. The detergents break down machine oils used when the parts were manufatured. Any iron based steels need to be oiled to prevent corrosion (i.e. iron FE+ water H2O= Ferrous Oxide FEo2=Rust). It is cheaper to use a "preservative oil" during storage of manufactured parts. The Molybdenum on the other hand is a soft metallic element that gets hard with temperature and pressure. The moly fills in the micro machine marks induced during manufacture and increases post break in engine longevity. The brak in period assures that the machine oils are removed and the minor machine marks are filled. If you want to see this effect graphically on your break-in oil I'd suggest you contact www.blackstone-labs.com. Mention you are a member of this board and you'll get a discount on oil analysis. They can also do transmission and LSD oil. Tell 'em Utah sent ya............

 

Again, I quote from the Honda Engineers at Tochigi - try to keep the factory oil in for about 7500-10,000 miles depending on driving conditions...

Burning 1 qt per 1000 miles is not unusual during break-in.