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Oil Change HD Advice recieved

  • Kato
    Kato
    4 years ago
    Hi 
    So i have been doing my oil changes on my 03 Fatboy at 4000 Km intervals 
    I now have 81,000 Km on the motor .
    The owners manual stated ( i thought) an oil change was required every 4000 kms ( that was only an inspection service at each 4k interval as it turns out so not an oil change as such ) 
    The HD Workshop manual confirms this too 
    Oh well ..........better over servicing than under servicing i suppoose 

    Anyway it got me thinking so i called a WELL known HD Dealership and asked about oil changes and intervals etc 

    Here's what i gt back 
    - all HD engines are done at 8 k oil change intervals . Each 4k service is essentially a insect and check ( sounds fair to  me) 
    - All engine oil must be changed at least every 12 months regardles of Kms done. This is due to the oil in the engine breaking down over the 12 month period .As soon as the container of oil is opened it commences breaking down so even if youve only done 100Kms in 12 months ..............oil MUST be changed at the 12th month .

    I queried this oil change V's Kms done issue and yep ........as soon as the bottle of oil is opened it starts to "degrade" and must be changed at least every12 months 

    So ..........i have learnt soemthing for today perhaps (Helooowwwwww) 

    Whats everyone else's point of view ??

    Seriously how do dealerships seak this kind of stuff ...........its breathtaking 
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    4 years ago

    8000 is fine, some do it every 2000 but I figure that's just throwing money away.

    If the factory says HD oil, every 8000, that's good enough for me. They warranty these things on that basis.
  • leachy
    leachy
    4 years ago
    My understanding is that the oil will start to degrade due to the heat and fuel, plus atmospheric moisture over that period. if you have a bottle of oil that is opened but then sealed (put the lid back on tight) its still OK to use. 
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Also oil can be hygroscopic - meaning it tends to absorb moisture from the air. This water can accumulate in your engine if not riding for an extended period. 
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting Wideglider on 15 Sep 2020 05:01 AM

    Also oil can be hygroscopic - meaning it tends to absorb moisture from the air. This water can accumulate in your engine if not riding for an extended period. 

    Plus low km generally equates to lots of short trips, which are very hard on any engine, but especially an air cooled one. Not getting hot enough to evaporate all of the shit out of the oil.
  • Fey
    Fey
    4 years ago
    My FLS gets a service every 12 months and typically thats less than 2000km ridden. Both of our cars are also done annually or 15000km as per the handbook by Mitsubishi. I did ask once if they thought it best if I do the vehicles more often and while they said they are happy to take my money with my easy driving and no towing it's really not necessary. Suits me, Been driving Mitsis for years and have really had no problems even when the mileage gets up.
  • daddyracer56
    daddyracer56
    4 years ago
    Harley say 8,000 klms for the syn3 oil and it would be 4,000 klms for mineral type , i would not leave the oil in there for that many klms, esp on a Dyna's that would only carry 2 1/2 ltrs in a sump that is very close to the tarmac esp on a hot summers day , wipe some on your finger if the oil is looking dark change it , if its only 6 mths and 2,500 klm's old just dump the oil , hot and do the sump only ,then do the filter in another 2,500 klms or thereabouts , its only a bit of oil preventive maintenance is the best cure , it also depends on temperature and how you ride or flog her , cheers Bob   
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