REPLACING MOTOR OIL BASED ON MILEAGE - YES OR NO?
There is still a lot of misconception about the right time of oil change. For most vehicle owners, mileage remains the main indicator of oil replacement.
In fact, the more expensive and advanced the oil, the longer your motorcycle can go along before it needs new oil. For example, a distance of up to 7 to 10 thousand kilometers is the recommended mileage, which is often stated on both the oil and the automotive manufacturer’s specification.
However, there is one more information that is often overlooked and that is the fact that oil change intervals can also be determined by time. In this case, there are two things to pay attention to.
First, is how often you get stuck in traffic jams. Even if your wheels are not rolling, the engine is still working to produce power. Not to mention the heat from the road and the frequent stops at red lights also add to your motorcycle’s hard work.
Second, it is recommended to regularly change the oil in your motorcycle even if it has not been used for a long time. Don’t let your motorcycle sit for months with its oil unchanged, just because it has not reached the mileage recommended by the manufacturer.
READ ALSO: NOTICING DIFFERENT MILKY COLOR IN YOUR OIL?HERE'S WHY
Although modern oil has been formulated with additives that can prevent corrosion and other chemical changes, it should not be left indefinitely in the engine chamber.
It is wrong to assume that motor oil can sit idly and retain its quality; one of the functions of motor oil is to dissolve residue that is produced by engine frictions. If not cleaned, this residue could be a catalyst and reduce an oil’s ability to lubricate.
For this reason, the best way to determine when to change your oil is to check it regularly. All you have to do is open the dipstick in the oil fill hole and wipe a little bit of the oil in a clean piece of paper. If the color has turned black and thick, then an immediate change is in order.
Note that fresh oil can change color very quickly. This can be caused by several things; such as the amount of residue in the oil sump or the engine is overheating.
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