Warm Climate - Oil Question

[Lmar]

I am planning to pick up my 09 RT on May 1st. Since I live 200 miles from my dealer, I will most likely have 600 miles on the bike in a day or two. I plan to book my 1st service the following weekend.

 

I will be riding to Prescott Valley Arizona this summer. We plan to spend 5 to 6 weeks there. I am assuming that the oil they use here in Canada on the RT is a 10W40 grade.

 

Would that oil work in 30 - 40 C degree temperature that I will experience in Arizona? Or should I use another grade that would work better in the warmer climate?

 

Our temperatures here in May to August can range from the 30's over night to the 90's during the day.

[Spinn]

L-Mar, one of the things they'll go over with you during the pickup is oils to use. They should be able to answer your questions...

[JayW]

I would use 20W-50 or 15W-50. The latter in a synthetic version would work very well all year, both in Canada and Arizona.

 

Jay

[JR356]

I would use 20W-50 or 15W-50. The latter in a synthetic version would work very well all year, both in Canada and Arizona.

 

Jay

 

Might not be a great idea to go synthetic that early in the bikes life.

Best to get at least 5-10K miles before the switch.

 

Book your service now,it's riding season and a lot of dealers are booked for weeks!

 

JR356

[rglassma]

Definately go 20w/50 dino oil... I would not use synthetic that early.. I personally won't use synthetic at all on my RT. I haven't in the 28K that I have owned it... 5-6K oil changes are long enough and that is what BMW says is fine. But, if you want to go synthetic in the future and spend more money, that is up to you. But I would wait at least until the 12K service... The dealers in Colorado say 18K..

[marcopolo]

I am assuming that the oil they use here in Canada on the RT is a 10W40 grade.

 

I've found most dealers will use 20W50, the viscosity that's set out in your Rider's Manual (when you get your hands on it). In addition to 20W50, the Manual spells out "permissible viscosity classes", depending on the operating conditions. For example, 10W40 corresponds to a range of -10C to +30C. You'll also find in the manual that BMW does not recommend synthetic for the first 10,000 kms.

[JayW]

I would use 20W-50 or 15W-50. The latter in a synthetic version would work very well all year, both in Canada and Arizona.

 

Jay

 

Might not be a great idea to go synthetic that early in the bikes life.

Best to get at least 5-10K miles before the switch...

JR356

 

You're right, JR356 - It would probably be best to stick with the formal recommendations and wait a few thousand miles before using synthetic oil. I should have pointed that out.

 

Jay

[RT Fan]

I have 8 quarts of 10w60 synthetic. I was thinking of using it in my RT this summer during the hot months. Can anybody give me any advice on using 10w60 vs 20w50?

[Lmar]

They make 20W60??

[lvnvbiker]

Yep, I've got a bunch of 25/60 for my HD...

[RSR]

I am assuming that the oil they use here in Canada on the RT is a 10W40 grade.

Lmar congrates on the new RT you will love it, Argyll filled my RT with 20-50 motul when they did my first service. You better book now for your service I was there Saturday and the place was packed the service writer said the mechanics were even working extra shifts.

The rider Manual rates 20-50 good from 0*C > so it will cover most of your needs here and down south, 10-40 only covers -10*C to +30*C.

[T__]

I have 8 quarts of 10w60 synthetic. I was thinking of using it in my RT this summer during the hot months. Can anybody give me any advice on using 10w60 vs 20w50?

 

 

Ferd, 10W60 is not specified in your service or owners manual.. Will it work?-Probably.. Should you use it?-Only if you want to go against the owners manual recommendation..

 

10W60 has a very large spread between the high & low number.. As a rule you want to have a low spread between the high & low number unless the oil base is an extremely high end synthetic..

On high end synthetic oil’s that kind of viscosity spread can be accomplished with just the base oil..

On the less than high end synthetics or conventional oil that viscosity spread is usually accomplished with the addition of lots of long chain polymers.. Those long chain polymers are very good at increasing viscosity but not that great as a lubricant..

 

It probably depends on the oil type & actual viscosity.. That 10W60 could be just one cSt number off of 15W50 or could go the other way & be just one cSt number off of 20W70.. The other thing to consider is it’s flash point/ or /resistance to shearing.. Will the oil shear & thin out with use or will the oil thicken up more with use?

 

Would I personally use it? That would depend on it’s actual base qualities,, actual rated viscosity,, & additive package.. I sure wouldn’t use it in a low mile engine still under factory warranty..

 

 

Twisty

 

[RT Fan]

Thanks Twisty1. I will take your advice and not use it. It is very good synthetic and maybe I can exchange it. I had it for my Moto Guzzi Norge. Guzzi uses 10w60. I have 4,500 miles on my RT now and I think I will switch to synthetic at 6,000 miles.

[T__]

Ferd, is that a Motul or Castrol 10W60? Or some other.. If that is the recommended 10W60 synthetic for the Guzzi that is REAL expensive oil.. I would think you could easily trade that for a good 20W50..

 

 

I guess if I had to use a 10W60 oil in my BMW boxer that would be the oil to use..

 

Twisty