Regular cleaning and servicing are important. There is no denying this fact, but remember your bike’s true heart is its engine, and the quality of oil you use to protect it. The right choice of oil demands understanding the engine’s specific needs to ensure high performance and smooth functioning. For understanding its relevance, we are here to help you with how to choose the right engine oil for the bike.
Importance of Choosing the Right Engine Oil for Bike
Before you decide which engine oil is best for bike, you must know why the usage of the appropriate motorcycle engine oil is essential:
- Lubricates the engine: Engine oil serves the basic function of lubrication
- Reduces friction and increases fuel efficiency and engine life: It minimises friction, wear and tear which not only improves fuel efficiency but also ensures longer engine life.
- Prevents damage: Acts to dissipate heat, thus protecting the engine from high heat.
Understanding Different Types of Engine Oil
Answering the question about which engine oil is best for a bike requires understanding the different types of engine oil available.
Based on Engine Type
The Indian two-wheeler market offers bikes with different types of engines. The 2-stroke engines are simple with few moving parts. On the other hand, 4-stroke engines are more complex, with a separate stroke for each engine function (intake, compression, power, and exhaust). Thus, different engine oils are suitable for different engines.
- 2 Stroke Engine Oil: In a 2-stroke bike engine, the engine oil is mixed with the fuel, and this mixture flows throughout the engine. As a result, lubrication is provided by the fuel-oil mixture. A 2 stroke bike engine oil is marked by higher ash content. It can be petroleum, castor, synthetic, or semi-synthetic oil. It can have performance boosting additives like antioxidants, fuel stabilisers, anti-wear agents, or others. For instance, the Divyol range’s Spin Q5 is a great choice for 2 stroke engine oil, capable of providing energy and lubrication to the engine.
Best suited for: Older two-wheelers, scooters, and performance 2-stroke bikes
- 4 Stroke Engine Oil: A 4 stroke engine oil lubricates but does not burn. This oil is suitable for large bikes. It comprises additives that help keep the engine clean and protected. The 4 stroke engine oil is available as synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oil. For instance, Divyol’s Spin 4T range presents various choices for 4-stroke engines.
Best suited for: Modern motorcycles, commuters, cruisers, and sport bikes
Based on Base Composition
Engine oil is primarily composed of base oil, which can be mineral, synthetic, or semi-synthetic, with additives making up the rest. Here’s how the three are different:
- Mineral oil: It is directly derived from refined crude petroleum. It’s often recommended for bikes with engines of 80cc to 125cc or older models, where it can provide adequate protection and lubrication. Considering the fact that it doesn’t contain any special additives, it is a cost-effective choice.
Best suited for: Entry-level bikes, older engines, and low-stress usage such as short daily commutes.
- Semi-synthetic oil: It is a blend of mineral and synthetic oils. It offers a balance between performance and cost and is suitable for mid-range usage. It provides improved protection against wear and tear, better low-temperature performance, and enhanced engine lubrication. Moreover, semi-synthetic oil resists oxidation and heat breakdown better than mineral oil, allowing for longer oil change intervals compared to mineral oil.
Best suited for: Mid-range motorcycles used for both city and occasional highway rides.
- Synthetic oil: It is chemically produced oil that offers high-performance, suitability in extreme weather conditions, and superior engine protection. It has extended drain intervals, fewer emissions, and improved fuel economy. Synthetic oil typically comes with a lower frequency of oil changes.
Best suited for: All types of bikes whose engines support synthetic oil.
Among the synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oils, the choice depends on the bike’s condition, age, usage, your budget, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Based on Viscosity Grade (SAE Rating)
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) scale measures viscosity and grades oil according to operational suitability for specific weather conditions.
Some common oil grades are 0W-30, 5W-40, 10W-40, and others. The grading includes a combination of single letters and numbers. It goes as: ‘XW-XX’ where the number replaces X and W refers to Winter.
- The first number, followed by a “W” (which stands for Winter), refers to the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures. A lower “W” number means the oil flows more easily in cold conditions. It indicates better cold start performance and reduced engine wear in winter.
- The second number (typically higher) represents the oil’s viscosity at high temperatures, specifically at 100°C, which simulates normal engine operating conditions. A higher number here means the oil is thicker at high temperatures. Thus, it will offer better protection under heat and load. If it were 5w40, high temperature viscosity would be 40 at 100 degrees.
Focusing on the oil grade is necessary to ensure proper lubrication of the engine at both high and low temperatures.
- Higher numbers after W = better for hot climates
- Lower numbers before W = better for cold starts
Understanding Which Engine Oil is Best For Bikes
Now that you know the types of motorcycle engine oil, let’s dive into the tips that help you decide which engine oil is best for your bike:
Tip 1: Read the Owner’s Manual
The choice of motorcycle engine oil must mainly be derived from the manufacturer’s instructions. The bike designers know the best fit grade of the engine oil based on the engine design, its optimum functionality and other aspects. Adhering to their recommendations will ensure better engine health and longevity.
Tip 2: Understand the Motorcycle’s Requirements
Motorcycles vary in engine capacity, design, and intended use. A high-performance sports bike has very different lubrication needs compared to a daily commuter or a touring bike. Hence, the bike’s requirements also vary, including the suitable oil type, frequency of oil change, cleanliness, and other maintenance processes. Thus, understanding your bike’s specifications, usage patterns, and operating environment will help you select engine oil that delivers optimal protection and performance.
Conclusion
Choosing the appropriate engine oil can be challenging, owing to the variety of options available. But the decision on which engine oil is best for bike can be simplified by understanding the available choices. Also, relying on the product manual is the best way to make an accurate choice about how to choose the right engine oil. If you’ve missed the owner’s manual, visit the bike’s brand website or Google it to find the one specific to you.