Learn how to choose the right engine oil for your motorcycle
Check out Our Engine oil Recommendation
how to choose the right engine oil for your motorcycle
Note: It's essential to check the oil level frequently. Every motorcycle consumes oil, and oil burn may become more noticeable after 1000km or on high-mileage motorcycles. Therefore, be sure to check the oil level regularly to maintain optimal engine performance.
Learn how to choose the right type of engine oil for your motorcycle. Follow these steps.
1: Owners manual: To find the specifications for choosing the right engine oil for your motorcycle, please refer to the engine oil page in your owner's manual.
2: Recommended API Standard ,JASO MA & MA2:Look for the recommended API Standard, JASO MA Rating, and SAE viscosity chart in your owner's manual. In this case, the recommended API standard is API-SF/CC. This means that you can use engine oil that meets or exceeds API-SF standards. While API-SF is now obsolete and not available, you can opt for later or current standard API engine oils as suitable alternatives.
API Service
Classifications
Year
MA
Note: As indicated on the API Service classification chart, API-SF is obsolete and not available in Pakistan. However, API-SG standard engine oils are still accessible and manufactured by several renowned companies such as AtlasHonda, Suzuki, Caltex, Shell, etc. It's important to note that despite being an old standard, API-SG is superior to API-SF, which was originally recommended by the manufacturer for this specific motorcycle. API-SG oil will meet and exceed the API-SF standard, making it suitable for use in your motorcycle where API-SF is recommended.
API Standard The first step in choosing an engine oil is to check the API standard recommended by the manufacturer of your motorcycle. Any API standard that comes later will typically meet and exceed the previous API standards. However, there are limits to this compatibility. Some newer API standards are not backwards compatible, and you cannot use old API standard engine oil where the manufacturer recommends the new API standard.
For example, you cannot use API SG standard engine oil in a motorcycle where API SL standard engine oil is recommended by the manufacturer. Doing so can cause engine damage because the engine oil won't meet the API standard that the motorcycle engine was designed for.
Over the time a
Advancements in engine oil technology have resulted in better flow, reduced sludge buildup, and decreased valve deposits. In modern catalytic converter-equipped bikes, the latest engine oil produces fewer emissions. These emissions can occur when engine oil occasionally passes through piston rings and into the combustion chamber. This oil bypass can generate thick gases that may clog the catalytic converter faster, thereby reducing its lifespan.
Therefore, the latest technology in engine oil helps reduce catalytic converter clogging and minimizes valve deposits, leading to improved engine oil characteristics.
3: Recommended vehicle: It's crucial to ensure that the engine oil you use in your motorcycle is specifically designed for motorcycles to prevent clutch slippage. Motorcycle engine oils are formulated with friction modifiers that prevent this issue. One way to identify motorcycle-specific oils is by checking for the "MA" or "MA2" tag printed on the bottle. This tag indicates that the engine oil is made for motorcycles and contains the necessary additives to prevent clutch slippage.
4: S.A.E Grade:
Under normal conditions, it's advisable to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendation, which in this case is SAE 20W-40. However, if you reside in an extremely hot or cold environment, you might want to consider selecting a different viscosity oil based on your ambient temperature. This can help safeguard your motorcycle engine against wear and tear.
For air-cooled motorcycles, atmospheric temperature significantly impacts engine oil performance.
Liquid-cooled engines maintain a relatively stable temperature range with liquid coolant, typically between 85-105°C. In contrast, air-cooled bike engines rely on ambient air for cooling, which can result in higher operating temperatures ranging between 115-137°C and beyond. During hot weather and in stop-and-go traffic, air-cooled engines are prone to overheating due to reduced cooling efficiency.
According to the provided chart, if the atmospheric temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius, using 10W-30 engine oil should suffice. However, in hotter conditions, such as temperatures exceeding 30°C in summer, opting for a thicker oil is recommended to withstand the heat and prevent excessive thinning of the engine oil.
Multigrade engine oil is characterized by two viscosity grades, denoted before and after the letter "w" in the specification. For instance, in 10W-30 or 10W-40, the "10W" indicates that during cold starts, the oil behaves like a grade 10 oil, but upon reaching operating temperature, it functions as a grade 30 or 40 oil.
Referring to the viscosity chart, it's acceptable to use 10W-30 engine oil for this specific motorcycle in environments ranging from -10 degrees Celsius to approximately 30 degrees Celsius. However, beyond 35 degrees Celsius, a higher viscosity grade engine oil such as 10W-40 or 20W-50 is necessary.
This distinction is crucial because using a lower viscosity engine oil at higher temperatures may result in inadequate lubrication once the oil reaches operating temperature, leading to engine wear.
Conversely, employing a higher grade engine oil with a larger numerical value before the "w," such as 20W in 20W-40 or 20W-50, will result in thicker oil at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. Consequently, vital engine components like the CAM and Rockers may not receive adequate lubrication promptly, potentially causing engine wear.
5: Capacity: The amount of engine oil required for your motorcycle is typically specified in the owner's manual on the engine oil page. Overfilling the engine with oil can lead to foaming, where air bubbles mix with the oil. This foaming can result in the oil pump drawing foam into the engine's head, leading to inadequate lubrication of critical components. Therefore, it's essential to adhere to the recommended oil quantity to ensure proper engine lubrication and performance.
