So True. In all fairness to Vulch, I'm not sure we've had an oil thread since he joined the forum.AntRT said:No such thing as a quick oil question.![]()
++++1hallzee said:Here's what you need to know:
Old & dirty oil, Bad!![]()
New & clean oil, Good!![]()
Pretty slick answer.... What's better is, it's the right answer.hallzee said:Here's what you need to know:
Old & dirty oil, Bad!![]()
New & clean oil, Good!![]()
Any oil is better then none.hallzee said:Here's what you need to know:
Old & dirty oil, Bad!![]()
New & clean oil, Good!![]()
I agree. I use 10w-40. Thicker oil doesn't necessarily give better protection. It certainly will add friction and reduce mileage, if only by a smidgeon.TWheels said:OK but seriously ... Why do you use 20W50 on 2010 and later RTs when its not a recommended grade in the owners manual ??? Just couldn't help myself..... It's an oil question!
I don't think BMW is recommending against using synthetic oil for camheads in the first 6000 miles. At least my 2012 manual doesn't have any prohibition against syn oil at any mileage.JayJay said:for hexheads ... They give recommendations for viscosity and require SAE SF or better, and recommend against synthetic for the first 10,000 km (6,000 miles). Interesting that the camhead manual does recommend Castrol GPS which is a synthetic but at the same time they recommend against synthetic in new engines.
JayJay
+1... I ran the Mobile 1 V-Twin 20-50 for over 50k miles on the LT and changed it every 6000 miles... I plan on doing the same thing on the RT. The 20-50 works well in the very hot desert on Las Vegas.12R12RT said:I think the days of 3000 mile oil changes are pretty much passe.
Engines are tighter and run cleaner, oil and filtration have both improved.
I have no problem going with the 6000 mile change interval, as the oil is visibly clean. That's not to say the additive package is fully intact, but visibly clean is a pretty good indication of contaminant level.
Use a quality oil that meets the required specification in terms of weight and rating, change it at the recommended interval and spend time riding rather than fussing over oil.
That said, oil is cheap. Filters are cheap. Clean oil is good. If you feel good changing it every 3000 miles, do so. It certainly will not hurt anything.
Tom