Motorcycle Oil

Opposed to traditional vehicles, you need to change your motorcycle oil more often. Most motorcycles require you to replace the motorcycle oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but this may vary depending on the type of motorcycle and the manufacturer. To learn how often you should change the oil, read your owner's manual, request help from an Advance Auto Parts employee, or use our filter on our website to find the oil suited for your motorcycle.

No, you can’t. Car oil isn’t as viscous as motorcycle oil, and it doesn’t have additives that can help lubricate other aspects of a motorcycle, such as the gearbox and clutch. Motorcycle oil also works harder than traditional car oil, as motorcycles have a smaller oil bay, and the engine works harder due to higher speeds. Using car oil could cause increased friction in your engine, eventually leading to engine failure in your motorcycle.

Motorcycle oils are available in conventional, synthetic, and semi-synthetic formulations. Conventional oil is often cheaper but isn’t as fuel-efficient, and you’ll have to replace it more often than synthetic oil. Synthetic oils also provide the highest quality lubrication and may be cheaper in the long run since you won’t have to replace it as often.

You should replace your motorcycle at regular intervals — every 3,000 to 5,000 miles — but you should also replace it if you notice that your oil is dark or oil, or if your engine isn’t as powerful or causes more noise than usual. You can also check the oil level regularly to evaluate the level and its quality to see if it needs to be changed earlier than 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

We recommend always letting the engine warm up for a couple of minutes whenever you start your motorcycle before riding it. This allows the motorcycle oil, especially lower-viscosity oils, to coat the engine to prevent excessive wear. This is especially important in colder weather, when colder temperatures may cause the oil to thicken up and not properly coat the engine in time.

Yes, using the wrong oil type or viscosity can lead to inadequate lubrication, increased wear, and potential engine damage. Always use the oil specified by your motorcycle manufacturer.

Changing your motorcycle oil yourself is often cheaper than servicing it elsewhere. To do so, turn on the engine and let it stay idle for ten minutes to warm it up thoroughly. This step makes the oil easier to remove. Then, drain the oil by placing a drain pan underneath the drain bolt and unscrewing the drain bolt. You should also replace the filter and drain plug after fully draining the oil. Afterward, screw the bolt back on, add more motorcycle oil, and check your oil level afterward to see if it’s filled all the way.

Synthetic oil is often the best choice for high-performance motorcycles due to its superior protection, thermal stability, and ability to maintain viscosity under extreme conditions. Always check your manufacturer's recommendations.

You can buy motorcycle oil at Advance Auto Parts! We carry various brands and can answer any questions you have at a location near you. You can also buy oil online if you prefer the convenience of a home delivery.