Oil change question

[CloudchaserSakonige]

Just read yet another article on how changing oil every 3000mi in cars is a myth
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...762858&msite=w

For some time, this is something I've been wondering about concerning my Kymco Grand Vista 250.

Recommended for my 2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250 is every 2000km which translates to 1242mi. I've been changing it every 1000mi because that's easier to remember. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic because it's the only oil that gets a synthetic rating due to being highly refined (the rest get it through adding additives, which is a source of engine sludge). With that and "Oil chemistry and engine technology have evolved tremendously in recent years" in mind, I wonder if I switched to changing my oil every 2000mi (3220km), if it wouldn't make a difference in engine wear. That would have advantages such as cutting time spent changing, $ spen on oil and amount of oil to haul off for recycling in half

[jon_l]

Oil threads are special!

The real advantage to synthetic is that is doesn't break down as quickly. If you change your oil every 1000 km/600 miles, IMO you may be wasting your time and / or money. Curious why Kymco recommends such frequest intervals, unless yours is a racing scooter

Does your Kymco have a wet clutch like most motorcycles? If not, car oil should be fine, save lots of $.

I use Shell Rotella T-6 (HDEO) 5-40, cheap, and is all I have used in the last 7 or 8 bikes with nary an issue. It is JASO-MA rated. Try a jug from Walmart.

In my Subaru Impreza, I have run full synthetic since the first oil change. As soon as the warranty ran out, I extended the intervals from 6,000km to 10,000, which helps offset the cost of Mobil 1, and lets me do just 2 oil changes per year, Spring & Fall.

[Sport]

Unless your rings or valve train (guides) are passing contamination into your crankcase at an injurious rate you're changing oil way too often, especially with full synth oil. Waste of money and good oil. I've used Amsoil for years in CBXs, a Ducati 999, a Triumph 955i RS triple, an SV650 and a Hayabusa. My 82 CBX turned over 102,000, the 79 CBX has over 55,000, the RS triple has over 65,000 and my Hayabusa has over 50,000 miles. All with no internal engine problems. I change oil and filter every 5,000-7,500 miles.

[CloudchaserSakonige]

Originally Posted by jon_l

Oil threads are special!

The real advantage to synthetic is that is doesn't break down as quickly. If you change your oil every 1000 km/600 miles, IMO you may be wasting your time and / or money. Curious why Kymco recommends such frequest intervals, unless yours is a racing scooter

Does your Kymco have a wet clutch like most motorcycles? If not, car oil should be fine, save lots of $.

I use Shell Rotella T-6 (HDEO) 5-40, cheap, and is all I have used in the last 7 or 8 bikes with nary an issue. It is JASO-MA rated. Try a jug from Walmart.

In my Subaru Impreza, I have run full synthetic since the first oil change. As soon as the warranty ran out, I extended the intervals from 6,000km to 10,000, which helps offset the cost of Mobil 1, and lets me do just 2 oil changes per year, Spring & Fall.

Smaller engines often need the oil changed more often. Recommended is every 2000km/1242mi. I've been doing it every 1000 miles (not kilometers)

It's a cvt, so it uses a spinclutch. Don't know if it's wet or not.

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by CloudchaserSakonige

Just read yet another article on how changing oil every 3000mi in cars is a myth
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...762858&msite=w

For some time, this is something I've been wondering about concerning my Kymco Grand Vista 250.

Recommended for my 2009 Kymco Grand Vista 250 is every 2000km which translates to 1242mi. I've been changing it every 1000mi because that's easier to remember. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic because it's the only oil that gets a synthetic rating due to being highly refined (the rest get it through adding additives, which is a source of engine sludge). With that and "Oil chemistry and engine technology have evolved tremendously in recent years" in mind, I wonder if I switched to changing my oil every 2000mi (3220km), if it wouldn't make a difference in engine wear. That would have advantages such as cutting time spent changing, $ spen on oil and amount of oil to haul off for recycling in half

Most all manufacturers recommended oil change intervals using regular dino oil. A good synthetic should be able to go double the normal interval I would think.......I'd do 2000 miles with a motorcyle syn no problem. I've extended my change intervals with synthetic with no problems whatsoever

[cat]

Originally Posted by CloudchaserSakonige

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic because it's the only oil that gets a synthetic rating due to being highly refined (the rest get it through adding additives, which is a source of engine sludge).

That is incorrect.
There is full synthetic and there is mineral-synthetic blends.
All use additive packages according to the requirements of the application - diesel engine, motorcycle engine, car engine, etc. (And various types of those.)
"Due to being highly refined"...i think you mean the synthetics which are derieved mainly from mineral oils. (Although i don't understand how that makes them synthetic.)

[CloudchaserSakonige]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

Most all manufacturers recommended oil change intervals using regular dino oil. A good synthetic should be able to go double the normal interval I would think.......I'd do 2000 miles with a motorcyle syn no problem. I've extended my change intervals with synthetic with no problems whatsoever

Thanx for the advice!

I was starting to lean that way, then someone on another forum I posted the same question to pointed out that since my Kymco has an oil screen instead of a filter and the oil comes out darker than when it went in, I should probably stick with what I've been doing.

Originally Posted by cat

That is incorrect.
There is full synthetic and there is mineral-synthetic blends.
All use additive packages according to the requirements of the application - diesel engine, motorcycle engine, car engine, etc. (And various types of those.)
"Due to being highly refined"...i think you mean the synthetics which are derieved mainly from mineral oils. (Although i don't understand how that makes them synthetic.)

Got that, thanx!

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by CloudchaserSakonige

Thanx for the advice!

I was starting to lean that way, then someone on another forum I posted the same question to pointed out that since my Kymco has an oil screen instead of a filter and the oil comes out darker than when it went in, I should probably stick with what I've been doing.

Got that, thanx!

Oil will always be darker when it comes out, because it is flushing out contaminants. That is a good thing. Oil color isn't indicative of its effectiveness. A little color doesn't hurt anything.

A screen rather than a filter sounds like the reason for the frequent changes. Based on that, I would switch to suitable but less expensive dino oil, and use the manufacturer's intervals.