S2000 - Very low mileage and low kms yearly

[Thugzy]

My 2001 S2000 has only 42,000kms, I have had it since new never winter driven and only out on the sunny days. For the past 5 years I have been only using it a few thousand kms annually.

I have always used the S2000 OEM filter previously with
Valvoline Max Life Synthetic 10W30
and this season I used a mix of Valvoline Max Life Synthetic 10W30 & GC 0W30
(I mixed to deplete my Max Life stock)

This season again I have only put 2000kms on the car

Typically when i put the car in storage in October I change the oil and filter.
I store the car with whatever dino oil that is on sale. I dont start the car while it is in storage. When the spring comes I keep the same filter on and change the oil to synthetic. The old oil i used for storage, i reuse and put it in my other car.

My question is with such low annual mileage use am I actually benefiting myself by changing the oil at this interval? Mind you i want to use synthetic as my engine has been very happy with it since new and has never had any oil consumption issues. It see's 9000rpms every time i drive it.

Im curious to hear what others do with their nice cars that are only driven on a seasonal basis.. - thanks

 

[redhat]

I'd change out the oil and filter every October. The oil/filter sitting for a few months in storage won't hurt anything.

 

[dparm]

It would be better to change the oil and filter AFTER the winter. That would let you drain out any water and acids that have built up.

 

[gofast182]

I drive my S2000 about 4,000mi (6,000km) per year, put it away in November without changing oil, and don't start it all winter. In spring I change the oil as I'm running through the full tank of gas I keep in it. Note, I change my oil twice a year as the car sees track time.

You could probably do with one OC per year given the low annual mileage. However you're certainly not hurting the car by doing it that way and it sounds like you're not wasting any money as you reuse that oil. I probably wouldn't mix dino and syn, not that it's really a big deal but you'll never get all of the dino out when you change.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Absolutely Change the oil with a quality synthetic in the winter - sitting over winter will do NOTHING to deplete the oil. Run the car with the winter oil through the mild season.

 

[Thugzy]

thanks to everyone with the replies....I will skip using the dino oil as storage and just do a synthetic change every time before storage

 

[bigt61]

2000km a year? Stick with synthetic and change it every 3 years. If you're paranoid, make it 2 years. Oil doesn't go bad in a garage over the winter, even in a sump. You're throwing away good oil. And good money.

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: Thugzy
thanks to everyone with the replies....I will skip using the dino oil as storage and just do a synthetic change every time before storage

If the car's not seeing any track time and you're locked in around that mileage, just change it once a year.

 

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
2000km a year? Stick with synthetic and change it every 3 years. If you're paranoid, make it 2 years. Oil doesn't go bad in a garage over the winter, even in a sump. You're throwing away good oil. And good money.


That's pretty much the treatment my S2000 gets. It's an '01 that just ticked over 40k this summer. I run Mobil1 0w-40 and change it at mileage intervals.

 

[Thugzy]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
2000km a year? Stick with synthetic and change it every 3 years. If you're paranoid, make it 2 years. Oil doesn't go bad in a garage over the winter, even in a sump. You're throwing away good oil. And good money.


Ok this is where clarity is needed....conflicting information, either used oil becomes acidic during storage or its ok during storage....which is it?

 

[ledslinger]

Even if you ran Super Tech 5W30 and changed every three years, you'll never wear out that engine. Do what makes you feel good. I kind of like the dino flush for storage routine.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Thugzy
Originally Posted By: bigt61
2000km a year? Stick with synthetic and change it every 3 years. If you're paranoid, make it 2 years. Oil doesn't go bad in a garage over the winter, even in a sump. You're throwing away good oil. And good money.


Ok this is where clarity is needed....conflicting information, either used oil becomes acidic during storage or its ok during storage....which is it?



Moisture and acids will build up in the crankcase, hence my suggestion to change it before you take it out of storage.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The DP will neutralise any acids and they wont "build up" during inactivity. A good run will boil off any moisture. I dont see an issue - nothing is "happening" sitting there not running.
By not starting it across winter for reasons of moving or circulating lube will = no moisture builup - if she was put away dry.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: dparm
It would be better to change the oil and filter AFTER the winter. That would let you drain out any water and acids that have built up.


On a fresh change and hot run just prior to storage there won't be any acid or moisture... The crankcase ventilation system is basically closed to the atmosphere so the worry of moisture is a non issue(assumes the oil filler cap is in place)...

On my low runners(usually less than a Kmi per year), I change every couple years and never had a issue...

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The DP will neutralise any acids and they wont "build up" during inactivity. A good run will boil off any moisture. I dont see an issue - nothing is "happening" sitting there not running.
By not starting it across winter for reasons of moving or circulating lube will = no moisture builup - if she was put away dry.

Exactly.

The key is to always bring the oil up to temperature every time you start the engine. This way there is no moisture or fuel remaining in the oil which is what degrades it. If you make a habit of doing that the oil will stay in good condition and you can change the oil based on mileage alone; time is not a factor.
At 2,000 kms/year, the oil would likely still be good after five years.

Regarding you oil grade choice. I know 10W-30 was specified for the S2000 but that was for mineral oil.
Since your using synthetic oil any 5W-30 will be more than heavy enough for spirited street use.

 

[Thugzy]

Exactly the information I am looking for. Thanks!

As for the grade, She has always had 10W30 in the sump during the seasons when it saw some track duty, only up until this season i went different.
Most of the years she had MaxLife Synthetic 10W30 on the street and track.
This season 1L Maxlife Synthetic 5W30 and 4L GC 0W30, street use only...as i said I was depleting my Maxlife Stock. I plan on running GC as I have been stocking up everytime it goes on sale in my area.


Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The DP will neutralise any acids and they wont "build up" during inactivity. A good run will boil off any moisture. I dont see an issue - nothing is "happening" sitting there not running.
By not starting it across winter for reasons of moving or circulating lube will = no moisture builup - if she was put away dry.

Exactly.

The key is to always bring the oil up to temperature every time you start the engine. This way there is no moisture or fuel remaining in the oil which is what degrades it. If you make a habit of doing that the oil will stay in good condition and you can change the oil based on mileage alone; time is not a factor.
At 2,000 kms/year, the oil would likely still be good after five years.

Regarding you oil grade choice. I know 10W-30 was specified for the S2000 but that was for mineral oil.
Since your using synthetic oil any 5W-30 will be more than heavy enough for spirited street use.

 

[CATERHAM]

Thugzy, you're welcome.

If you track your car you should install an oil pressure gauge or better still a combination OP/Oil temp's gauges.
I think you'll find GC which is almost a 40wt oil is heavier than necessary as your oil temp's just don't get high enough even after a lengthy track session to benefit from the higher viscosity.