Change your motorbike oil yourself? Here's How!

Changing motorcycle oil is usually done in a workshop, but many people choose to do it themselves at home to save on maintenance costs. However, it's very important to be careful when changing the oil yourself to avoid affecting the vehicle's performance. So, what is the correct way to change motorcycle oil, especially for those who want to do it at home?

Signs Your Motorcycle Needs an Oil Change

Regular motorcycle oil changes are important after covering a certain distance or every few months. However, there are specific signs to watch for that indicate it's time for an immediate oil change, including:

Oil Color Changes to Dark Black and Thin

The oil color turning dark black is usually caused by long-term use or contamination from engine deposits and combustion emissions. If the oil mixes with emissions, its lubricating ability will decrease, and the color will turn black, indicating it's time to change the oil to prevent engine damage.

Reduced Oil Volume

With intensive use, the oil volume will decrease due to the evaporation process from the working engine's heat. The more vapor formed, the more the oil volume decreases in the motorcycle.

Rough Engine and Transmission Noise

Oil functions to reduce friction between engine components, making the operation smoother and less noisy. However, when oil quality decreases, its lubricating ability diminishes, causing the transmission to become rough and the noise produced during acceleration or gear shifts to be less smooth, indicating the need for an oil change.

Engine Quickly Overheats

Oil functions to absorb heat from the piston and combustion block, keeping the engine temperature controlled and preventing overheating. If the motorcycle engine quickly overheats, it indicates that the oil's heat-conducting ability has decreased, and it's time to change the oil.

Mileage of 3000 ? 5000 km

For automatic motorcycle users, it's recommended to change the oil after covering more than 3000 km. For underbone or manual clutch motorcycle users, the oil should be changed after reaching 5000 km.

Tools and Materials for Changing Motorcycle Oil

If you want to change the motorcycle oil yourself at home, prepare the following tools and materials:

• New engine oil according to the motorcycle manufacturer's recommendations
• New oil filter
• New oil cap (if needed)
• Container like a basin or bucket to collect used oil
• Socket wrench or ring wrench to open the oil drain bolt and oil filter
• Spanner wrench if needed to access the oil filter
• Cloth or dry tissue to clean around the oil cap and oil filter
• Trolley or stand to lift the motorcycle if necessary
• Flashlight or work light for poorly lit areas
• It's recommended to use safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from used oil and sharp objects that might be present

How to Change Motorcycle Oil

How do you change motorcycle oil yourself at home? You can start by preparing the materials mentioned above and following these steps:

Change Oil When the Engine is Warm

Before adding oil, start the motorcycle for 1 ? 3 minutes, then turn it off. This is to warm up the engine. Avoid changing the oil when the engine is hot as it will make removing the oil drain bolt difficult and can risk burning your skin.

On the other hand, changing the oil when the engine is cold will make the oil hard to drain. Additionally, leftover used oil might stick to the engine walls. Therefore, make sure the engine is warm.

Remove the Oil Drain Bolt and Prepare a Container for Used Oil

Once the motorcycle engine is warm, place the motorcycle on the center stand. Then, open the oil drain bolt located at the bottom of the engine using a suitable socket or ring wrench. Turn the oil drain bolt to the right to remove the used oil and replace it with new oil.

Fill with New Oil

Pour new oil into the fill hole using a filter or funnel to avoid spills.

Warm Up the Engine

The final step in changing the motorcycle oil is to restart the engine for 1 ? 4 minutes. This allows the new oil to circulate and lubricate the motorcycle engine thoroughly.

By following the above steps to change the motorcycle oil, you can do it yourself at home. However, make sure you do it correctly to avoid damaging other engine components. If you're unsure and prefer professional help, leave it to the experts at your nearest workshop.