[dleasman]

No, Advantec is not synthetic. But it is what BMW recommends for the authorized service centers to use. For me, I would rather use synthetic. Though if you are changing oil every year, with < 3000 miles/year, then I am not sure how much advantage there is to synthetic. For me, I ride < 2000 miles/year. On my other bikes, I only change oil every other year, with synthetic.

 

[PadG]

No, Advantec is not synthetic. But it is what BMW recommends for the authorized service centers to use. For me, I would rather use synthetic. Though if you are changing oil every year, with < 3000 miles/year, then I am not sure how much advantage there is to synthetic. For me, I ride < 2000 miles/year. On my other bikes, I only change oil every other year, with synthetic.

I think that you should look and read again! Here's an example: https://www.bobsbmw.com/store/product/bmw-advantec-ultimate-5w-40-engine-oil---one-liter


Quote: Original BMW Engine Oils are based on the new patented PurePlus Technology™, which refines base oils from natural gas instead of crude oil.


It's synthetic!

 

[bandytales]

No, Advantec is not synthetic.

I don't mean to extend a discussion into an argument, but it IS synthetic oil.

 

[dleasman]

I don't mean to extend a discussion into an argument, but it IS synthetic oil.

Sorry for the mis-information. I called the BMW dealer where I purchased my R1200RT and talked to the service center. I asked this specific question, and they told me it was not synthetic oil. I was only repeating what I heard from what I *thought* was a reputable source of information. Again, I apologize.

I did look at the link from above at Bob's BMW, and it makes no mention of the oil being synthetic, which is where my original confusion came from, and why I tried to verify with my service center.

Thank you for clarifying.
-Dana

 

[PadG]

I have seen so many wrong information that had originated from the "experts" from the dealership being quoted in this forum over the years that I had come to expect it. Oh, there are several good ones out there, but there are so many others, and of course, if you are not relatively technical savvy, then you have no choice but to depend on the "experts". At least you now know who NOT to rely on for information!

 

[realshelby]

Well, both might be more or less correct!

In Europe if it says "Synthetic" it MUST be just that. NOT ultra refined from crude stock. I am just guessing...but natural gas may be considered crude stock?

In the US, synthetic only means it meets a certain specification. I think that if is says full synthetic it isn't made from crude stock. But I didn't just go and spend an hour researching that either....

 

[NoelCP]

The whole topic is shrouded in some ambiguity. According to Wiki's take it would appear Advantec qualifies as a synthetic lubricant. In their definition it seems the common denominator is in the processing and refining versus the source of the base material per se. But therein lies the ambiguity since ultimately all lubricants require "processing and refining". How much qualifies? In the end the definition should encompass the finished product's characteristics, explained by differences in chemical composition and the refining processes to get there.

"Synthetic oil is a lubricant consisting of chemical compounds that are artificially made. Synthetic lubricants can be manufactured using chemically modified petroleum components rather than whole crude oil, but can also be synthesized from other raw materials. The base material, however, is still overwhelmingly crude oil that is distilled and then modified physically and chemically." Wikipedia

They go on to state "FULL synthetic" is a marketing term only and is not a "measurable quality". And they mention the various types of synthetics derived from Groups III-V "base stocks". When you get in deeper into each base stock the emphasis goes strongly towards the actual chemistry of the lubricants, how they are produced and what their chemical characteristics are and their associated lubricity.

 

[dleasman]

Since the oil for the RT is so specific, difficult to find, and apparently, the engine will go chernobyl if you don't put the exact, correct oil in (sarcasm)... Does everyone carry a small container of this highly specialized oil on their bike, in case you have low oil, and are not within proximity of a bmw motorcycle service center that is open at the time you need it? What if you were on a long trip, and your oil level became low?

I was thinking... Maybe I could one of those small, lawn mower 2-cycle oil containers and fill it with RT specific oil and carry it with me. Does anyone actually do this?

 

[PatM55]

Since the oil for the RT is so specific, difficult to find, and apparently, the engine will go chernobyl if you don't put the exact, correct oil in (sarcasm)... Does everyone carry a small container of this highly specialized oil on their bike, in case you have low oil, and are not within proximity of a bmw motorcycle service center that is open at the time you need it? What if you were on a long trip, and your oil level became low?

I was thinking... Maybe I could one of those small, lawn mower 2-cycle oil containers and fill it with RT specific oil and carry it with me. Does anyone actually do this?

In my experience, the wetheads don't use oil like the previous air/oil cooled ones. I've never had to on my bike but I had to add oil for the first time in a rented R1250RT that had 15,000 km and hadn't been serviced at 10,000 km. Not my bike, don't ask.
The low oil level icon had just popped-on. It should come on when your engine needs half a litre so if you want to carry some oil, just in case, you would need a container of that same volume. Europeans have it good, half litre of motorcycle oil are available at service areas.

 

[NoelCP]

Since the oil for the RT is so specific, difficult to find, and apparently, the engine will go chernobyl if you don't put the exact, correct oil in (sarcasm)... Does everyone carry a small container of this highly specialized oil on their bike, in case you have low oil, and are not within proximity of a bmw motorcycle service center that is open at the time you need it? What if you were on a long trip, and your oil level became low?

I was thinking... Maybe I could one of those small, lawn mower 2-cycle oil containers and fill it with RT specific oil and carry it with me. Does anyone actually do this?

I carried ~ 0.5L on a 10K mile x-country trip in 2016. When it came time to change our oil we were in Roanoake Valley and we stopped at a BMW shop there. I bought 4L of Advantec Ultimate & filter there first, then asked if we could change oil somewhere on the property with assurances we had drop clothes and would take exquisite care not to spill oil. They declined my request despite the purchase I just made. As I was packed to the gills I had no place to store it until I realized the 4 vents, 2 in front, 2 in back, of my Olympia Motosport jacket created the perfect size pockets to store the oil yahoo! Down the road a few miles a Yamaha dealer welcomed us, gave us rags, and recycled the old oil for us. Of note--riding partner was on his '15 FJR-ES which I'm sure helped!

 

[dleasman]

You would need a container of that same volume. Europeans have it good, half litre of motorcycle oil are available at service areas.

For those backwards countries that are NOT on the metric system (like mine), a half litre is just over 16oz. The little lawn mower oil containers I was referring to are 8oz, so I could just carry 2 of those, but even one might be nice to have on a long road trip. I just need to make a new label for the smaller container (I have a couple) and fill it up. Should take only a half hour to solve, or 30 minutes, for those on the metric system.

I do appreciate the information!

 

[realshelby]

In over 50,000 miles of use, and the last two oil changes had over 7000 mile on each of them, I have never had to add oil to the Wethead. Not even close to needing make-up oil added.

I have had my check oil level alert come on a few times....but it was exactly where it should be......

 

[CWRoady]

I carried and used extra oil on my ‘08 RT. When I purchased my ‘15, I promptly added a qt to one of the panniers. It came out after recognizing it wasn’t needed ... ever. With 45k on the odo, I have never needed to add oil in between changes.

 

[bandytales]

Like the others have said. For most folk, the Wethead uses no oil. The best advice I can give is, monitor your bike. If it uses oil, carry a small bottle with you. If it doesn't, don't worry about it. You have an on-board reminder if the oil level drops a little, so you have plenty time to look for oil.

For me, in an emergency, I would put any reasonable quality oil as a stop gap to get me home, then (personally) I would consider and oil change anyway.

 

[PadG]

For those backwards countries that are NOT on the metric system (like mine), a half litre is just over 16oz. The little lawn mower oil containers I was referring to are 8oz, so I could just carry 2 of those, but even one might be nice to have on a long road trip. I just need to make a new label for the smaller container (I have a couple) and fill it up. Should take only a half hour to solve, or 30 minutes, for those on the metric system.

I do appreciate the information!

Don't overthink it. The chance of you needing that oil while on the road is virtually zero, but if it will ease your mind, go ahead, but I would take the whole bottle. Consider where you will be stashing it, and if it actually makes any difference as to whether you have the small bottle or the bigger liter bottle?

 

[PadG]

Like the others have said. For most folk, the Wethead uses no oil. The best advice I can give is, monitor your bike. If it uses oil, carry a small bottle with you. If it doesn't, don't worry about it. You have an on-board reminder if the oil level drops a little, so you have plenty time to look for oil.

For me, in an emergency, I would put any reasonable quality oil as a stop gap to get me home, then (personally) I would consider and oil change anyway.

. . . . and IMO, the T6 which is readily available in any Walmart or auto supply store (here in the US) would be quite ideal!

 

[taran1900]

This is what many have switched to, and what I've been using for about 3 years now. It is 4 liters, not 4 quarts. So you have a little bit left over after an oil change.

https://www.beemerboneyard.com/lqm5w404l.html

I'm getting pretty much everything from BeemerBoneyard now. Except for tires...

That's a decent price. However, they don't have free shipping. That why I use this:

Motul 104087 100% Synthetic Engine Oil
Standards: API SN, JASO MA2 (same as BMW uber expensive Advantec) Minumum API rating for the 1250s is API SL.

$49.99

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IKCY7L8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[92merc]

That's a decent price. However, they don't have free shipping. That why I use this:

Motul 104087 100% Synthetic Engine Oil
Standards: API SN, JASO MA2 (same as BMW uber expensive Advantec) Minumum API rating for the 1250s is API SL.

$49.99

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IKCY7L8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use BMWST as the discount code on BB, you'll get 10% off. Easily pay for shipping. Container on LM shows API SM and JASO MA2.

 

[redbull]

This is the response I got from ShellHello Gordon,

The Rotella T6 5w-40 still does carry over 1200ppm of zinc but is now tested to the JASO DH-2 spec. It would be suitable for a gasoline engine with out a catalytic converter not in warranty.

Sincerely,
Don Spence
Technical Data Specialist, Shell Tech Center Houston
Lubricant answers on demand at www.LubeChat.com

 

[Hfjeff]

Not to beat this dead horse any more, but the Liqui Moly from BB has API SM rating and the manual calls for API SL. I am not an oil guy and don't know the difference. Does one supersede the other or surpass the other?

I know read the manual. But I am getting conflicting info on the API rating. Bottom line is it OK to use API SM instead of API SL?