How long can engine oil really last?

[Constructicon]

(Was deciding to post in Hands On or Accessories..etc. Anyway)

 

Hi guys,

 

as topic suggests, how long can engine oil really last?

 

Seems the answer differs from mechanic to mechanic, shop to shop.

Mineral Oil, I was given several answers: anything from 1000km to 3000km max.

Fully Snythetic, anything from 5000km to 8000km and much more.

Anyone wants to add to the numbers? heheh.

 

Reason for the topic stems from the observation that while the running in a new engine, the servicing point are at 1000Km and 3000Km, which mineral oil is generally used. Shouldnt that already mean the mineral oil should last at least 2000km?

So, why do some mechanics say the max it can be used is 1500km.

 

Join in the discussion.

 

Have a pleasant day/ride.

[Demon]

(Was deciding to post in Hands On or Accessories..etc. Anyway)

 

Hi guys,

 

as topic suggests, how long can engine oil really last?

 

Seems the answer differs from mechanic to mechanic, shop to shop.

Mineral Oil, I was given several answers: anything from 1000km to 3000km max.

Fully Snythetic, anything from 5000km to 8000km and much more.

Anyone wants to add to the numbers? heheh.

 

Typically, Jap car is 5000km for mineral oil and 10,000km for synthetic oil.

 

For VW, it's 15,000km, and BMW, it's every 25,000km

 

So from here, you can tell that engine oil can last really long. Naturally the sooner you change your engine oil, the more money they (oil makers, and garages) will make.

 

Ships use hella-lot of engine oil, and cost hella-lot of money so they take a more scientific approach. At regular interval, the engineer will take samples of the engine oil to analyse (all done onboard the ship) to ensure its viscosity is still within specifications. And the oil is oil change when it is almost near the end of its viscosity.

 

If you really want to save money without compromising engine performance, we can also do the same. Previously we use the viscosity measurement device known as Mobil Test Kit. It's a very simple instrument that measures how fast the oil slides on the kit.

 

Reason for the topic stems from the observation that while the running in a new engine, the servicing point are at 1000Km and 3000Km, which mineral oil is generally used. Shouldnt that already mean the mineral oil should last at least 2000km?

So, why do some mechanics say the max it can be used is 1500km.

 

Join in the discussion.

 

Have a pleasant day/ride.

 

For Japs, during run in, the engine uses a very thin oil to break in the engine as the internals still very tight but thin oil doesn't carry heat well which is one of the reasons why during traditional breaking in period, you don't stress the engine. After about 1500km, the thin oil will be replaced with regular grade engine oil.

 

However for VW, and BMW, there is no such thing as breaking in, you can drive these cars normally once out of the show room and return for servicing at their respective service intervals.

 

[JackOHJack]

does it matter how much eo the engine needs?

 

like what constructicon mentioned - 5000km for his bike, which i assume is FZ1, i have frens who ride s4 as well who also say can last 5000km...

 

but as a comparison, my bike only needs 800ml of eo - does that mean the eo cannot last as long as bigger bikes?

[xXxRatedxXx]

does it matter how much eo the engine needs?

 

like what constructicon mentioned - 5000km for his bike, which i assume is FZ1, i have frens who ride s4 as well who also say can last 5000km...

 

but as a comparison, my bike only needs 800ml of eo - does that mean the eo cannot last as long as bigger bikes?

 

Good question... i got friend who says that as long as there is oil in the engine... it'll run. Just need to take care of it drying up.... now that's something permanently damaging....

 

Personally i just change it (for my 2b) every month... bout a thousand clicks or slightly more, i also don't change any fancy synthetic stuff.... just the "normal" ones.. so far so good..

[JackOHJack]

from what i gathered, semi synthetic gotta change every 1000km, fully synthetic can change every 2000km, and they cost abt 2 times more, so in effect no difference in cost except fully synthetic u can feel the smoothness of the engine.

 

im just wondering how come those bigger bikes can change fully synthetic at >5000km - izzit solely coz dez more eo (3litres and above for some)?

 

or is it we have all been carrotted? we as in 2b bike riders.

 

i have a fren who rode his spark for > 2 years, never changed eo! but coz his work place very near to his home, (6km/ day) and he's driving company vehicle as well.. i think his spark ran for 5000km liaoz, never change! :eek:now sold back to the orh diam he bought from. den the orh diam will sell to another fellow... ... ...

[rezz_shaz]

synthetic........3000 to 5000 or 4 months....that my routine

[crazydj]

For me, i change when i dont get the same feeling anymore.

 

Gearshift not smooth, sound of the engine at various temperatures, how easy to start in the morning, etc etc. I dunnno how i know when to change, just "feel" what my bike is telling me. When you ride your bike everyday, you will know what is best for your bike.

[Constructicon]

Reason for the thread stems from the fact as to why when running in, mineral oil was used for 2000km.

But yet the same oil is said to be so poor that it should be changed in 1000km by some.

 

And given the replies thus far, everyone of us have different ideas. haha...

 

I used to change the EO when i was riding my 2B, cos it is cheap and fresh oil always feels much better.

But now per oil change is like 3 bottles. Way too hardcore to change every month!!! haha...

 

Very interested to see what u guys got.

[hachi]

No hard and fast rules, as long as the shifting gears are smooth enough then should be ok. Unlike car, we are actually direct connected to feel of the oil...

[emarkie_82]

for me i change it every 2k or 1month whichever comes first doesnt matter what type of oil im using...

 

just want to share about what i read from articles at the past...

 

EO has the function as a cleaning, cooling, cushioning, and lubrication..

i believe in the user's manual for small bikes recommends EO to be changed every 2k~2.5k KM.

 

but we cant see that only from your odometer as you need to consider when you are trapped in traffic jam, engine warm-up in the morning...

EO has a viscosity and it will be reduced after certain extent..

 

if we seldom use the bike, and the mileage also low, recommended to change maximum 3 months as the EO has a acidic character.

This acid will react with metal and cause corrosion.

[JackOHJack]

but doesn't it affect the engine in the long run?

[zyrofillica]

wah change oil every 1000km?! too much $$$ ah. normal mineral oil shd be able to last anything from 3k-5k. Synthetic oil 5k-10k. You will only need to change oil more often if your bike is leaking oil. Anyway just follow the manufacturer's instructions. i've never seen manufacturer booklet stating 1k oil change before.

[ghost04]

mechanics will tell u fully synthetic change every 5000km...wanto earn ur $$..

i nvr ask much about mineral or semi-syn as i nvr use b4...

if its commuting purpose a semi-syn can use up to 10000km...

some ppl change when no more 'feeling'...

some change at 5000km or 2-4 months..

many views...

i change between 5000-7000km...

[mafitra]

Best if you could refer to your manual for bottom line guide line. Some bikes prefer Mineral , such as BMW.I always change engine oil between 3-5 k as well.

 

Then again, this also depends on bikes model and owner's preference.

[mepkoh]

experience rider will know..when is the right time to change...

beside the km and time method...the third consideration is how the bike's performances?

 

yeah...pick up bad, difficulty in changing gears, engine noises,increasing engine temperature... and high FC will indicate its time for a service..most of the time it doesnt hit 3000km...i need to send it for an eo service..after the service..all the above irritations will be gone at least until the next change

[steel_headz]

5k for synthetic......

 

Sumtimes if u feel the bike don feel 'shiok' went riding, then need to change oredi....

[Demon]

I rest my case

 

http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm

 

[hachi]

I rest my case

 

http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm

 

 

Well Kiasu SGreans.....

What to do....

I just change as long as my shifting sucks.....Simple...

Till today I asked my Mech anyone overhaul their cos not changing to fully syn a not.

Well u guess it....

[WildCard]

I've always believed a good synthetic oil should last pretty long.

Although bike engines are generally more stressful on parts compared to a car's, but the oil for bikes are also formulated with that in mind.

 

As much as I doubt that bikes can match a car's full interval of around 25000km, I do believe 50% of that (around 10K+) is not out of the realm.

 

AMSOil, I believe, carries a warranty for bikes that if an engine were damaged because of their recommended extended service interval of around 12-15K km, they will compensate full repair charges.

Though I'm not sure exactly sure if the warranty is valid here.

[4th_Espada]

for me, its always between 3000km to 5000km..my usual mileage per month is abt 1000km..so usually once every abt 3 mths i will service it.. by right, engine oil can last up to and maybe more than 10,000km...but i just dislike the idea of keeping the oil in my bike for too long...

[zyrofillica]

err. most cars go for oil change every 10000km on synthetics. 25000km a bit stretched.

[testamant]

(Was deciding to post in Hands On or Accessories..etc. Anyway)

 

Hi guys,

 

as topic suggests, how long can engine oil really last?

 

Seems the answer differs from mechanic to mechanic, shop to shop.

Mineral Oil, I was given several answers: anything from 1000km to 3000km max.

Fully Snythetic, anything from 5000km to 8000km and much more.

Anyone wants to add to the numbers? heheh.

 

Reason for the topic stems from the observation that while the running in a new engine, the servicing point are at 1000Km and 3000Km, which mineral oil is generally used. Shouldnt that already mean the mineral oil should last at least 2000km?

So, why do some mechanics say the max it can be used is 1500km.

 

Join in the discussion.

 

Have a pleasant day/ride.

 

Reason is simple,you use mineral to remove the shaving metals from the bike as well as for making sure the rings are well seated in place,but do take note,using fully syn doesn't actually works in removing the particles,do take note even after changing mineral over and over,the shaving will stay to the bottom of the reservoir,some say this some say that.the forumers have stated 5000km semi syn,fully syn 10000km,mineral can go all the way to 3000km , or you could slowly feel ur bike being sluggish or the engine is much more louder than normal,hope it helps adios bro.

[FinG]

maybe it all depend on yourself.my runner has hit 24k km before oil change.

my s4 hit 12k km using motul300v before oil change. so it really depend how u see it.

[Stardust83]

maybe it all depend on yourself.my runner has hit 24k km before oil change.

my s4 hit 12k km using motul300v before oil change. so it really depend how u see it.

 

My S4 hit 12000 using Maxima...

 

NOT recommended though...

[ghost04]

i used to use castrol fully-syn...starts out rough but after ard 6000km it gets smoother...