Does a first service/oil change at 500 miles sound "normal" for a 2024 RTL

[Bob from Florida]

Just purchased a leftover 2024 RTL and getting used to riding it, 340 miles so far. The dealer is not my local - 70 miles away with a $3000 savings. That dealer told us that the first service was at 500 miles because they put in “break-in” oil initially and they would be checking all sorts of things. Book says 3000 miles and nothing about a “break-in” oil. I believe the selling dealer is “making it up” about the “break-in” oil, but I may be mistaken. Local dealer says they do the first oil change at 600 miles and check a few things for $345. Oil change kits are $119 from SlingMods and the local dealer charges $160 for the kit with the balance of the $345 being labor. Their labor rate is $150/hr so they can’t be doing much more than an oil change. I normally do all my own service, BMW’s and Goldwing most recently, but wonder if its worth it for the first 2 - 600 and 3000, for them to do it. Does this sound “normal” to anyone?

 

[Woodaddict]

Good for you being able to do your own service. Yes you can do your own service, just keep records, doesn't void your warranty. As you DID read your manual about first oil change, its not 600 miles, you are correct 3,000 miles. Now its up to you if you want to change at an earlier time of miles. The V-twin first oil change was at 600 miles, so they might be confusing 1330cc triple. They DON'T use "break in oil" either. You can use the oil change kit, its semi-synthetic. I use full synthetic 10W-40 motorcycle wet clutch oil. Just read your manual on HOW to check your oil level. The Spyder 1330cc engine is a dry sump engine, don't check it cold, you will get a wrong reading and likely overfill.

 

[troop]

The price is normal, but not the interval. You do not need to change your oil/filter until close to the 3K mile mark. Break in oil is a myth. Your Spyder has the same partial syn 5w40 oil that they sell with the kit. Newer kits seem to come with 5w40 full synthetic. When the time comes for your oil change kit, get (5) quarts of quality 5w40 or 10w40 motorcycle full synthetic, a Baja Ron oil filter kit and some Show Chrome magnetic oil bolts that have hex heads. It might be a little messy the first time, but well worth the cost savings

 

[Grouchy]

I'm wondering the same thing. I just purchased a 2024 S2S with 375 miles on it. I just came in from a ride and turned over 1000 miles.
3000 miles seems a lot for the first oil change so I'm considering having the dealer do one soon. Mostly because I don't have the jacks and stands for it yet.
I'll be interested to hear input from the forum on this. Is 3000 miles really a reasonable mileage?

 

[Woodaddict]

Yes, 3,000 miles (or 1 year) or an interval of your choice (read your manual). That is the first oil change #, next interval is 9,300 miles (with 10W-40 full syn) recommended, and that's what I do.

 

[Mrmikey]

I'd be doing the first oil change well under 1K. Not because of the break in oil (if these use it or not) but to get any manufacturing junk that was missed when it was assembled as well as the initial wear from new parts.
My Ram when I bought it new, I did the first oil change at 2000kms I believe it was. The oil analysis showed a bunch of high numbers for various metals which is to be expected. It dropped down to normal after the third or fourth change.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Just about all modern engines, and I believe this includes Rotax engines, are actually filled with oil and test run at the factory in the final stages of their manufacture, just to make sure everything has been done properly et al, before being drained of oil etc and sent on their way.

So No, you really don't need to do another oil change before the manufacturer's scheduled first oil change at 3000 miles, but there's nothing to stop you spending that money/time/effort if you want to.

And all those 'various metals' detected in the first oil analysis mentioned above are just what happens when things start being used and actually bedding in - regardless of how often/many extra oil changes you might do, it generally takes about 3 or 4 normal/scheduled oil change intervals for all that to settle down as all the mating/wearing surfaces wear to match each other at their tolerance levels; levels which, on the 1330 motors especially, are pretty close.

 

[Dansy]

I'd be doing the first oil change well under 1K. Not because of the break in oil (if these use it or not) but to get any manufacturing junk that was missed when it was assembled as well as the initial wear from new parts.
My Ram when I bought it new, I did the first oil change at 2000kms I believe it was. The oil analysis showed a bunch of high numbers for various metals which is to be expected. It dropped down to normal after the third or fourth change.

But it was a RAM (sorry couldn’t resist)

I do my own oil change, and there was nothing in the first at almost 3000k

 

[JayBros]

Do Not get suckered into wasting your money on an oil and filter change at less than 3,000 miles. A dealership that would tell you such horse you know what is simply trying to get into your wallet.

 

[Cobranut]

I'm a big fan of an early initial oil change, but I do all my own work.
In the first 500 - 1000 miles there WILL be higher wear levels, with a corresponding increase in oil contamination. Getting that stuff out of your motor may not be "necessary" as far as warranty is concerned, but it only costs a few bucks, and it makes ME feel better.

 

[happyspyder2039]

The only thing the dealer does at the 1st service is a tire/belt adjustment & warranty anything they find or you mention as issues. So it’s best to wait until the 3k miles to determine what those issues are.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Thanks for the replies! The service business is being leaned on more than ever to “improve” the metrics of profitability. The buyer truly needs to “beware”.

I also just sent the question directly to Can Am - to see if the reinforces the common sense replies from the group here.

 

[blacklightning]

I have been having my oil changes done at 3,000 and then 9300 after that. Once the warranty is over, I do it myself at around 8,000-9,000 intevals. I would always tend to let the dealership do the first oil change, just so that I can then give them the newer hex bolts to use. I have heard of too many people stripping the factory bolts and I would rather the dealership do that and have them deal with the issues on their dime.
On a side note, I had been having my oil changed in my mustang GT by the dealership and then decided to do it my self. I had to use a 24" long pipe on a breaker bar to remove the drain plug and the filter was nearly as tight. I will always change the oil in it myself from now on.

 

[JayBros]

There is an extant belief amongst some of our generational population, probably most easily identified by year of birth, that continues to believe that today's internal combustion engines are still manufactured the way Henry Ford's employees hand assembled 1941 V-8 engines and the quality of lubricants too is the same as those of the 1940s. Nothing could be farther from the current state of manufacturing throughout the developed world. The engineers at Rotax know exactly what they are doing and unless one is an engineer at least on a par with those employed by Rotax one is living in a different age.

 

[AndysF3S]

I am old school and will always do the first oil change at the dealer way early for two reasons:

New engines will have high wear metals in the oil as soon as they are started and run for the first few minutes or hours regardless if it was built by Henry Ford or not. The manufacturer only needs the engine to last for the warranty period. I do oil analysis on my truck engine from new and its first oil change etc. but I haven't got one for the Spyder.

The reason for the first dealer oil change is to let the dealer make some money and recheck for any early problems like belt alignment etc. and I can always say you did the first service even though it is expensive and may not be very thorough.

As far as type of oil etc. and intervals you will never get consensus on a forum for these so my recommendation is at least follow the drain interval in your operators manual and sooner may be better depending on your riding etc. Good luck with your new ride.

 

[racoon]

I checked the Operator's Guide for my 2024 Spyder RT.

There is an "OPERATION DURING BREAK-IN" section, but it's about how to drive during the first 1,000 km/600 miles.

It specifically says:

After the break-in period, your vehicle
should be inspected as per the Maintenance
Schedule.

At the beginning of the Maintenance Schedule section it does have a "Break-In Inspection" section:

Break-In Inspection
We recommend that after the first 5 000 km (3,000 mi) of operation, your vehicle
be inspected by an authorized Can-Am On-Road dealer, repair shop, or person
of your own choosing. This maintenance is very important and must not be
neglected.

Will changing the oil/fluids more frequently than recommended hurt your Spyder?
No, unless the extra money you spend on those services would have been spent on farkles for your Spyder.