9 Myths and Facts About Engine Oils

Our motorcycles need an engine oil to protect its moving parts against corrosion, keep them sludge free and help them operate smoothly with the addition of modern detergent oil additives. But most of us follow some prominent practices regarding the engine oil that are actually myths. Many of us are unaware of the engine problems that can occur by feeding your engine with poor quality oil and following the common misconceptions for engine oil. Our goal is to dispel some of these engine oil misconceptions to help your bike perform better after the next oil change.

1. Myth: You do not need to switch to a higher quality engine oil and spend extra, as your present oil is performing well and you have no complaints till now.

Fact: Inferior quality oils may harm your engine in a long run. A seemingly good performing engine may start corroding after some time because of harmful contaminants that get accumulated in the engine's lubrication system. We always advise you to stick to a high quality, warranty-backed brand for maximum protection.

2. Myth: There is no need to use a quality oil for older vehicles as they've already passed the manufacturer’s warranty period.



Fact: Older engines compulsorily need quality lubricants to protect crucial parts and ensure long-life as they are more prone to wear and tear.

3. Myth: Good quality oil leaks from the seals of older vehicles.

Fact: Good quality oil is industry tested and OEM-approved for its seal performance. So a good quality oil will never leak if the older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks.

4. Myth: Synthetic engine oil is only for new engines.

Fact: Quality synthetic engine oil performs same in both old as well as new vehicles also if conventional oil was used in them previously.

5. Myth: Engine oils can cause sludge.

Fact: Poor quality oils can build up sludge by accumulating dirt, soot, partially burned fuel, oxidized motor oil, leaked coolant and condensed water vapor. While a good quality engine oil keeps these contaminants separate and held in suspension.

6. Myth: Manufacturer recommended oil change intervals are conservative and it is safe to extend the time between oil changes.

Fact: we advise you to strictly follow the OEM motor oil drain interval recommendations as they are the most appropriate one. They are been suggested considering severe driving conditions we follow on the roads.



7. Myth: You can decide if the oil needs to be changed or not, by its look, smell, and color.

Fact: This is true. A good quality oil will turn black and thick if it is doing its job well. It holds the soot, dirt and other combustion contaminants in suspension until it is drained during the oil change.

8. Myth: New or rebuilt engines have to be “broken in” with non-detergent or non-synthetic oil.

Fact: With the modern oil formulation technology and engine design it is recommended to use detergent oils for the break-in period by the manufacturers themselves.

9. Myth: Thicker motor oil is better for the engine and increases its life.

Fact: OEMs recommend thinner or lighter viscosity grades of motor oil to increase the fuel economy. Lower viscosity oil reduces internal engine friction hence, it takes lesser energy to pump it throughout the engine.