How to change motorcycle oil at home and when to change it regularly

Motorcycle oil is a mixture of base oil and additives used to lubricate motorcycle engines. Vehicle manufacturers recommend changing motorcycle oil periodically for stable engine operation.

1. What is the effect of changing motorcycle oil?

After a period of use, users need to change the oil for the vehicle. Changing the engine oil has the following effects:

• Helps the engine run smoothly:During operation, the engine oil inside will condense, gradually forming a layer of sludge that creates friction and damages the engine. If the engine oil is not changed for a long time, the motorbike will make a frictional sound that causes discomfort when moving. At this time, changing the motorcycle oil will help remove residue and debris inside, helping the engine run smoothly.
• Prolong engine life: Accumulated dirt is one of the main causes of wear and rust on parts such as camshafts, gears, etc. Therefore, changing the motorcycle oil periodically has the effect of lubricating, preventing dirt from sticking and increasing the life of the engine.
• Helps protect other parts of the engine: In addition to lubrication, engine oil also protects the internal parts of the motorcycle engine. When a part fails, it can seriously affect other parts of the engine, causing the vehicle to consume more fuel and move slowly.
• Helps save more fuel: Not changing the oil regularly will affect the vehicle’s performance, causing a lot of fuel consumption.
• Contributes to environmental protection: Not only protecting and increasing engine performance, changing motorcycle oil also helps protect the environment because old engine oil produces more emissions.

2. How often should you change your motorcycle oil?

To ensure smooth engine operation, users should change the oil regularly. Depending on weather conditions, usage intensity and oil quality, car manufacturers will have their own recommendations on the time to change and maintain the oil regularly. Normally, after running the first 1,000km, users need to change the motorcycle oil. Next, the appropriate time to change the oil is after the vehicle has run 2,000km for new motorcycles and from 1,000 – 1,500km for old motorcycles.

If you are not sure about your vehicle, take it to a reputable repair center for a detailed inspection by a technician.

3. Instructions for properly changing motorcycle oil at home

Here are the steps to prepare and perform properly changing motorcycle oil at home:

3.1. Prepare tools

• Tool to hold old oil.
• Funnel to fill new oil.
• Towel to wipe oil and drain screw.
• Pliers to open, unscrew the oil cap and cover the oil filling hole on the machine.
• Oil dipstick.
• Automatic lever and 12mm, 14mm or 17mm connector to open the drain screw.
• New oil box suitable for the type of motorbike that needs to be replaced.

3.2. Implementation steps

After preparing all the tools, the user needs to proceed with the steps to change the motorbike’s engine oil when the engine is not completely cooled, because at this time the old oil has not condensed, so the change process will be easier and faster. The performer can refer to the following steps to change the motorcycle oil:

Step 1: Drain the old oil

• Put the vehicle on the center stand on a flat surface, determine the correct position of the oil screw and use the appropriate screwdriver to open it.
• Use force to unscrew the screw and use a tool to collect the old oil.
• Use pliers to open the oil filler cap and dipstick to drain all the old solution.
• Use a clean cloth to wipe the sand and dust on the screw and tighten the drain screw with enough force to avoid deforming the gasket (washer) or loosening the teeth.

Step 2: Change the new oil

• Use a funnel to add new oil to the engine.
• Check the oil level using a specialized dipstick. This stick will There are two minimum and maximum levels for users to determine. Normally, the oil level in the tank is close to or equal to the maximum level, which is reasonable.
• Lock the oil filler cap and can use old oil to refill the hinge.

Note: For old oil, users can store it and then sell it to waste oil collection points, do not pour oil down the drain, causing environmental pollution.

4. How much does it cost to change motorcycle oil?

In fact, the cost of changing motorcycle oil depends on the vehicle model and the type of oil base (mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic). Specifically:

• Scooters or large-displacement motorbikes: Specialized oil ranges in price from 100,000 – 500,000 VND.
• Manual motorbikes: Specialized oil for manual motorbikes ranges in price from 100,000 – 200,000 VND.

5. Some notes when changing motorcycle oil

To ensure effective motorcycle oil change at home, users should note:

• Oil change time: Changing motorcycle oil can depend on many factors such as: time the vehicle has been in operation, distance traveled, weather conditions and oil quality. If the user checks and sees that the oil drops are dark gray and thin, they need to quickly change the oil.
• Choose genuine, quality-assured engine oil:Users should carefully read the information printed on the engine oil packaging such as capacity, expiration date, seal, etc. and buy the product at reputable addresses.
• Change the oil to the correct vehicle capacity:If you add too much oil, the solution will overflow, causing waste and dirt will easily stick to it. On the contrary, if you add too little, it will affect the engine’s operation. Therefore, users need to choose the right type of engine oil for the vehicle’s oil tank to avoid excess or lack of oil.
• Ensure the oil flows evenly in the engine:After adding oil, to ensure the solution flows evenly in the engine, the user needs to tilt the vehicle to both sides and hold it still for a few seconds. Next, the user pedals the engine several times to pump the oil to the machine parts more effectively.
• Drain the old oil: Before changing the oil, the operator needs to completely remove the old oil layer. If this process is not done carefully, the old and new oil will mix together, affecting the quality of the oil.

Changing motorcycle oil is a job that needs to be done periodically to ensure the engine operates stably and smoothly. Therefore, vehicle users should regularly check and replace the vehicle’s oil to maintain vehicle performance.