3,000 mile oil change question

[MikeT]

How many people are really waiting to the 3,000 mile mark to do the first oil change on the 1330 motor? My Harley's required that the breaking service be done @1,000 miles. I had the first oil change on my GL1800 @2,000 miles. I was giving serious thought to having my first oil change around 1200-1500 miles. Thoughts??????
I've read here that Amsoil is the way to go. Will BRP dealers put that in, or will they only use the XPS oil? Is their full synthetic oil better than the blended oil???
Thanks for helping a newB out
Mike

[Chupaca]

All choices. BRP recommends at 3,000 miles and thats fine. The next one at 9,300 miles is the one I would change to something more like 4 or 5,000 miles. XPS blend is what I use and it is a good oil. The full synthetic is probably better but not for where and how I ryde. Amsoil is a good oill and sold here as well as filters and used by many. Most dealers will put the oil of your choice if it meets specs. You can set up your own oil change program as long as you don't go over the 9,000 + miles between them....doubt anyone will...

[DrewNJ]

Personally, I'm not comfortable with a 9k+ oci on ANY vehicle, especially one that shares the motor oil with the trans. Most oil shear is due to trans gears. The trans is hard on oil.

If it were me I'd do like we do on the wife's mini where the oci is 8k and maintenance is paid for/included. We let mini do the 8k oci and I personally do a change half way. This way the car sees 4k oci and mini is happy seeing it every 8k as to not cause possible warranty concerns.
Ive never understood skimping or extending services to save money. Oil changes are cheap in comparison to what you spent on the machine.

[Bob Denman]

The book says 3,000 miles; I figure that the guy who wrote it, wasn't trying to bust a bunch of engines with bad advice...

[Tango]

The book says 3,000 miles; I figure that the guy who wrote it, wasn't trying to bust a bunch of engines with bad advice...

I agree with Bob. I can't believe all the "automotive engineers" on this site that believe the book is wrong. And that BRP would tell you to deliberately ruin your engine and tranny. My wing called for 8,000 mile changes. On dino oil. They, all of them, also add once a year. You can bet that BRP tested their theory well beyond the 9300 mile mark. Air cooled engines are way different. The oil is subjected to way higher temps than water cooled ones. Tom

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Personally, I'm not comfortable with a 9k+ oci on ANY vehicle, especially one that shares the motor oil with the trans. Most oil shear is due to trans gears. The trans is hard on oil.

For comparison, acknowledging that the oil doesn't go through the trans, a 1990 Acura I had at one time had a factory recommended oci of 15k miles. This was before synthetics were an every day product.

Industrial engines, and most OTR trucks, change oil based on analysis. That means in some cases the oil may not get changed for 20, 30, maybe even 50k miles.

[Highwayman2013]

For comparison, acknowledging that the oil doesn't go through the trans, a 1990 Acura I had at one time had a factory recommended oci of 15k miles. This was before synthetics were an every day product.

Industrial engines, and most OTR trucks, change oil based on analysis. That means in some cases the oil may not get changed for 20, 30, maybe even 50k miles.

Some of the OTR trucks with bypass filtration go 400,000 or more with just filter changes.http://www.ops-1.com/
I think you should change your oil when you feel comfortable. I change my Kawasaki with recommended 7,500 intervals at 3,000. The 2012 RT goes 4,000 on BRP oil and filters.

[DrewNJ]

For comparison, acknowledging that the oil doesn't go through the trans, a 1990 Acura I had at one time had a factory recommended oci of 15k miles. This was before synthetics were an every day product.

Industrial engines, and most OTR trucks, change oil based on analysis. That means in some cases the oil may not get changed for 20, 30, maybe even 50k miles.

True. It all comes down to personal preference really. I'd never argue anyone's decision to maintain their own machines the way they choose to.
I remember a mechanic friend years ago talking about Hondas that came into his shop. He used to say they were the worst best cars on the road, in regards to their owners and how they were maintained.....I alway thought that was an interesting view.

[DrewNJ]

My question would be.....How do you filter fuel dilution? Other than breakdown, fuel dilution is my primary concern with long oci's.
I'm still, and likely always will be in the camp of run whatever oil/filter combo puts a smile on your face, but change it once in awhile.

[ARtraveler]

I had to wait a week past my 3000 miles to get it into the dealer. The first oil change was at 4500 miles. The second oil change at the beginning of this season--around 10500 miles on the odometer. We will see if I need another change this season or not. 9300 miles or once a year--per the manual.

[donkes]

I'm already at 3000+ and need to get it in, but hey, need to go riding right now.

[Bob Denman]

By the way; BRP says 9300 miles, OR ONE YEAR; whichever comes first.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BRP is very, very sure with their mileage requirements for oil / filter changes etc....that no matter how badly your engine / trans is being damaged by this service interval.......It will absolutely last until " AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES "........Then when the engine / trans goes SOUTH.... BRP will sell you a NEW ONE.........Now some of you out there may think this is far fetched , but in 2012 if you were asked if it were possible BRP would sell 2013 RT fire starters you would have laughed.........But No one is laughing NOW.........just sayin........Mike PS, I change My Full Syn oil at 5000 miles.......

[DrewNJ]

Those long service intervals look good for all vehicle manufacturers. Makes it look like the cost of ownership is less.

[Roadster Renovations]

I think the key is what your oil is actually doing. Oil analysis. For under $20 you can get a kit and have your oil tested. I will probably go 5k on mine on this change, but the lab gave me a caution at 4400 last year due to the oil dropping to 20wt after that long. That was BRP 5-40 semi-dino oil. And I do all my own changes.

[ARtraveler]

Just a further verification. The chart that is posted quite often leaves a question about the 9300 mile interval.

For the 1330 ACE engine:

I asked Steve at BRP care the following question several months ago. I posted the results.

A reiteration seems justified here:

The FIRST oil change is recommended at 3000 miles (the break in service).

The second oil change is recommended 9300 miles LATER, (12,300 miles or so).

Subsequent oil changes are then every 9300 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

I am now into a pattern of oil change at the beginning of the year--regardless of mileage. This year I changed the oil at 10,500 or so on the odometer. A couple thousand miles less than recommend above.

Also, I cannot see anything wrong with changing the oil earlier than recommended above.

[BikerDoc]

I did my first maintenance at 3000 miles and the next three maintenance stops at 9300 miles each and the RTL has run great the whole time with no oil usage. I use BRP blended synthetic. My buddy uses AMSOIL and his burns a quart of oil every time we do a trip. I can't understand why people think the BRP engineers would be aggressive on the oil change interval. Their track record has shown them to be very conservative..

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I did my first maintenance at 3000 miles and the next three maintenance stops at 9300 miles each and the RTL has run great the whole time with no oil usage. I use BRP blended synthetic. My buddy uses AMSOIL and his burns a quart of oil every time we do a trip. I can't understand why people think the BRP engineers would be aggressive on the oil change interval. Their track record has shown them to be very conservative..

And what is your Buddy operating ?????.......and how far is the trip ?????........All this makes a very big difference .....just sayin ....Mike

[PaladinLV]

For over 50 years on both cars and bikes I have followed the MANUFACTURER's recommended schedule.

50 years later whether car or bike, not one problem for following their schedule.

AJ

How many people are really waiting to the 3,000 mile mark to do the first oil change on the 1330 motor? My Harley's required that the breaking service be done @1,000 miles. I had the first oil change on my GL1800 @2,000 miles. I was giving serious thought to having my first oil change around 1200-1500 miles. Thoughts??????
I've read here that Amsoil is the way to go. Will BRP dealers put that in, or will they only use the XPS oil? Is their full synthetic oil better than the blended oil???
Thanks for helping a newB out
Mike