Engine oil in the 170i

[Yorkiemom]

The sticker by the oil fill reservoir on my 170i says to use SAE 15W-40 oil. I can ONLY find that in synthetic and a local scoot shop I don't always trust says not to use synthetic in a scoot, especially during break in period...and mine only has 200 miles on her. Thoughts???

[KrispyKreme]

Opened a can of worms with that OP. You can also use 10w40 with no problems. There are people that say synthetic is too "slick" so the rings don't get seated as well. I, for one, don't believe that. That point is moot however, since by 200 miles, the rings have done their thing. There will be people on both sides of this debate, however, so enjoy the thread.


BTW, why are you changing the oil so soon? 500 miles is about right.

Please do us a favor and don't ask what brand of oil to use.....Motul......

[Yorkiemom]

I am changing the oil early because I am about to get her up to higher speeds for the first time and I just want to get the shards cleared out before putting more stress on the engine. According to the book I probably shouldn't be going full throttle yet, but if I wait for 500 miles the school year I bought it to commute in will be a month or two in. I am going to try to get there at around 50mph, which isn't full throttle...at least until 500 miles

[lovemysan]

Go buy a gallon of shell rotella 15-40 for $13 and call it good. People fret about oil way too much. Most people only put a few thousand miles on a scooter anyway.

[Yalzin]

The shop I go to suggests mineral oil for the first 500-1000 miles, then synthetic after that.

Equally, if not more important, especially at the 200-300 mile mark, is making sure your gear oil has been changed.

[KrispyKreme]

I am changing the oil early because I am about to get her up to higher speeds for the first time and I just want to get the shards cleared out before putting more stress on the engine. According to the book I probably shouldn't be going full throttle yet, but if I wait for 500 miles the school year I bought it to commute in will be a month or two in. I am going to try to get there at around 50mph, which isn't full throttle...at least until 500 miles

There is nothing wrong with going full throttle, just don't STAY there long. Vary the RPMs.

[Syd]

...and use oil that meets the spec in the Owner's Manual, if nothing else through the warranty period. The Update Owner's Manual shows only SAE15W40. Synthetic will let you stretch the change intervals, but if you change the oil regularly synthetic will not make a big difference.

[KrispyKreme]

Synthetic will let you stretch the change intervals, but if you change the oil regularly synthetic will not make a big difference.

It degrades slower, so it will make a difference. How big of a difference, however, is up for debate. If you buy synthetic oil to "stretch" the intervals, you are missing the advantage, and more importantly, the point.

[kmrcstintn]

15w-40...many to choose from:

WalMart...Shell Rotella T, Chevron Delo 400, SuperTech, Motorcraft, Royal Purple

KMart...Shell Rotella T

AutoZone...Shell Rotella T & others (??? Castrol, Valvoline, Chevron Delo, etc ???)

Advanced Auto Parts...Shell Rotella T & others (??? Valvoline, Castrol,
Chevron Delo, etc ???)

PepBoys...Shell Rotella T & others

Napa...Napa brand & others (??? Valvoline, Castrol, etc)

Tractor Supply Company...Traveller brand, Shell Rotella T, and others

you don't have to buy what your scooter shop has & do some shopping around; 10w-40 is acceptable, synthetic vs conventional the buyer's preference...

15w-40 is stouter than car oil and often less expensive than motorcycle oil...it makes up the majority of the 'witch's brew' of leftover oils I had (15w-40's & motorcycle grade 10w-40's) that I am using in both of my bikes this year...

[KrispyKreme]

I use this.