Synthetic Oil Change Timeline

Canuck · 09-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Hey all,
Getting ready to do the fall oil change on the bike.

I had synthetic oil in it for the last 10,000 kms and i know that regular oil should be changed up every 5000 kms.
I was told at the shop that i could ride double the length of regular oil..especially in the GZ

Just curious if anyone else has heard the same thing..

thanks ahead!

dhgeyer · 09-09-2009, 02:25 PM

Well, yes and no. Synthetic oil will last a lot longer in terms of breaking down and losing its basic ability to lubricate. So that part is true. I've never heard double the change interval. What I've usually heard or read is 5000 miles if the usual oil change interval is 3000.

The other side of the issue is that acidic products of combustion build up in engine oil. Also, products of engine wear that are fine enough to get through the filter are still in the oil. This is no less true of synthetic oil than it is of petro oil.

So, some of us change the oil at the shorter interval regardless of the oil used. If I run synthetic, or a semi-synthetic blend I'll do it for other reasons.

For my money, frequent oil and filter changes are the single best and easiest thing you can do to keep your engine smiling for as long as possible.

Oh boy! An oil thread. Everyone will have an opinion on this one. Play nice now.

bonehead · 09-09-2009, 03:03 PM

I'm not going to get started on synthetic crap. That's why we live in the U.S.A., you have the freedom to choose.

dhgeyer · 09-09-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonehead

I'm not going to get started on synthetic crap. That's why we live in the U.S.A., you have the freedom to choose.

Um, bonehead, um, er, um, Canuck - you know, like resident of Canada.

Water Warrior 2 · 09-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Well I'm not afraid of oil threads. Always ready and willing to tell folks the best way to spill used oil all over the floor. LOL. First, I am wondering, was this at a bike shop where you got the oil and x2 mileage info ?? And what breed of oil ??

**jonathan180iq** · 09-09-2009, 04:26 PM

Synthetic oils usually can be used for longer periods of time. But, there are so many factors that come into play in the health of an engine and the type and quality of synthetic oil that you use that simply making a statement like "You can use it 2 times longer than regular oil, by God." just doesn't hold much water.

To actually KNOW if you can go longer between oil changes, you need to have a company test your used oil for particulates and metal composition and then follow their recommendations. It's possible that your dino oil isn't even worn out when you change it. You never really KNOW until you get some science behind it.

That's why the old addage that you should change your car oil every 3,000 miles is considered a conservative estimate by most motorheads. The 3,000 mile oil life is on the safe side. The 5,000 mile lifespan is probably more accurate. But, again, no one will ever really KNOW until their individual used motor oil is tested.

To answer your question; YES. Synthetic oils can GENERALLY be considered safe to use for longer periods of time.

burkbuilds · 09-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Hey, it only takes about a quart to change the oil, so why push it? Like dhgeyer said, the oil may not break down as quickly, but it still gets contaminants in it that can damage your engine and why would you want to leave that in there any "extra" time. I would recommend that you still change it at pretty much the regular intervals.

bonehead · 09-10-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhgeyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonehead

I'm not going to get started on synthetic crap. That's why we live in the U.S.A., you have the freedom to choose.

Um, bonehead, um, er, um, Canuck - you know, like resident of Canada.

Blanket statement, everyone in the free world has a right to choose, there, that's better.

**jonathan180iq** · 09-10-2009, 03:32 PM

If you listen to the news long enough, you might take on the belief that "FREEDOM" is only an American thing.

I'd go as far as saying that anyone, anywhere has the right to choose. I lived in a monarchy for 6 months and had freedom of choice everyday that I was there.

bonehead · 09-10-2009, 03:38 PM

Hell, I've lived in a monarchy for the past 20 years. My WIFE lets me know what I can or cannot do......LOL

09-09-2009, 12:50 PM	#1
Canuck Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 159	Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Hey all, Getting ready to do the fall oil change on the bike. I had synthetic oil in it for the last 10,000 kms and i know that regular oil should be changed up every 5000 kms. I was told at the shop that i could ride double the length of regular oil..especially in the GZ Just curious if anyone else has heard the same thing.. thanks ahead! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-09-2009, 02:25 PM	#2
dhgeyer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Merrimack NH USA Posts: 722	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Well, yes and no. Synthetic oil will last a lot longer in terms of breaking down and losing its basic ability to lubricate. So that part is true. I've never heard double the change interval. What I've usually heard or read is 5000 miles if the usual oil change interval is 3000. The other side of the issue is that acidic products of combustion build up in engine oil. Also, products of engine wear that are fine enough to get through the filter are still in the oil. This is no less true of synthetic oil than it is of petro oil. So, some of us change the oil at the shorter interval regardless of the oil used. If I run synthetic, or a semi-synthetic blend I'll do it for other reasons. For my money, frequent oil and filter changes are the single best and easiest thing you can do to keep your engine smiling for as long as possible. Oh boy! An oil thread. Everyone will have an opinion on this one. Play nice now. __________________ 54 HD Hummer,64 Honda150,66 Ducati250,01 Vulcan500,02 Vulcan1500,83 Nighthawk650,91 K75,95 VLX,04 VLX,01 GS500E,01 Ninja250, 02 Rebel,04 Ninja500,06 Concours,96 R850R
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09-09-2009, 03:03 PM	#3
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline I'm not going to get started on synthetic crap. That's why we live in the U.S.A., you have the freedom to choose. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-09-2009, 03:53 PM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Well I'm not afraid of oil threads. Always ready and willing to tell folks the best way to spill used oil all over the floor. LOL. First, I am wondering, was this at a bike shop where you got the oil and x2 mileage info ?? And what breed of oil ?? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

09-09-2009, 04:26 PM	#6
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Synthetic oils usually can be used for longer periods of time. But, there are so many factors that come into play in the health of an engine and the type and quality of synthetic oil that you use that simply making a statement like "You can use it 2 times longer than regular oil, by God." just doesn't hold much water. To actually KNOW if you can go longer between oil changes, you need to have a company test your used oil for particulates and metal composition and then follow their recommendations. It's possible that your dino oil isn't even worn out when you change it. You never really KNOW until you get some science behind it. That's why the old addage that you should change your car oil every 3,000 miles is considered a conservative estimate by most motorheads. The 3,000 mile oil life is on the safe side. The 5,000 mile lifespan is probably more accurate. But, again, no one will ever really KNOW until their individual used motor oil is tested. To answer your question; YES. Synthetic oils can GENERALLY be considered safe to use for longer periods of time.
	0

09-09-2009, 09:52 PM	#7
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Hey, it only takes about a quart to change the oil, so why push it? Like dhgeyer said, the oil may not break down as quickly, but it still gets contaminants in it that can damage your engine and why would you want to leave that in there any "extra" time. I would recommend that you still change it at pretty much the regular intervals.
	0

09-10-2009, 03:32 PM	#9
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline If you listen to the news long enough, you might take on the belief that "FREEDOM" is only an American thing. I'd go as far as saying that anyone, anywhere has the right to choose. I lived in a monarchy for 6 months and had freedom of choice everyday that I was there.
	0

09-10-2009, 03:38 PM	#10
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Synthetic Oil Change Timeline Hell, I've lived in a monarchy for the past 20 years. My WIFE lets me know what I can or cannot do......LOL __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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