Difference between revisions of "What Motor Oil Should You Use?"

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But how do you decide which motor oil that is?
But how do you decide which motor oil that is?


==Research==
==Research==
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We'll cover the basics of motor oil below.  But this article is only one of many you can and maybe should read if you want to make a fully informed decision.  So, here's a quick list of some good resources available online concerning motor oil in general, and motor oil for motorcycles.
We'll cover the basics of motor oil below.  But this article is only one of many you can and maybe should read if you want to make a fully informed decision.  So, here's a quick list of some good resources available online concerning motor oil in general, and motor oil for motorcycles.


* All about oil: http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html
*[http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html All About Oil] - Mark Lawrence has put together a detailed, yet easy to read, webpage about motor oil.  Its referenced repeatedly below.
* API Grades: http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/API.html
*[http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/API.html API Services and Grades Summary] - another good webpage by Lawrence, this one summarizes the API services and grades.
* More API: http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/index.cfm
*[http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/index.cfm Official API Services and Grades] - the API services and grades, straight from the horse's mouth, as it were.  Surprisingly, Lawence's summary is more informative.
* Synthetic Oil Life Study: http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html
* [http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] - a detailed study of the longevity of synthetic motor oils in an automotive application.
* Oil Testing Lab: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
*[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis, Blackstone's website gives a good explanation of what information you get from motor oil analysis, and how you can use it.
 


==Basic Information==
==Basic Information==
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==Motor Oil Analysis==
==Motor Oil Analysis==
How do you really know if you're changing the motor oil in your motorcycle too often, or not often enough?  How can you tell if the oil you're using is adequate?  You can get valuable information to help answer those questions with used motor oil analysis.
Oil analysis is available from heavy machinery dealerships (such as [ http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar]) or from any number of labs which can be found on-line and to which you can mail a sample.
The company you use should be able to help you interpret the results you get from your analysis.  There are various tests that tell you different things:
*Trace metals - indicates how an engine is internally wearing.  Most helpful when repeated test are done.
*Particulate - indicates how well the oil filter is performing
*Fuel & glycol - can indicate a leaking head gasket or worn rings
*TBN (Total Base Number) - indicates how well the additive package is holding up.  Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer.
*Viscosity - indicates how well the oil is holding up.  Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer.


Oil analysis can be expensive.  Prices range from $30 to over $100 per sample.  Is it worth it?  Yep, that's also up to you.




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