It's no wonder many of us get confused about oil!!!

[stolzy]

1200GSA manual says 20w-50 on page 148.

But the OP has a 2010 bike and the 2010 owners book does not mention 20/50

Does not say whether mineral, semi or fully synthetic is best, only states "BMW motorrad recommends not using synthetic oils for the first 10,000km".

Probably doesn't matter then

Are you not being a bit precious about this, its not exactly a highly-stressed engine

On that basis it suggests that anything goes after 10,000km, as long as it's 20w-50?

That seems a reasonable assumption.

On that basis I can use fully synthetic after 10k which should in theory last longer. I'll just have to weigh up if it lasts that much longer to justify the extra cost.

Perhaps, but are you really going to extend the oil changer interval, or keep the same interval and pay more for your oil?

 

[Engineer]

My 2010 manual states quite clearly what oil should be used - my only other comment is that the 2010 engine has had 30 years of development since the first GS - oils have moved on too, so why not use a good quality oil of the specification stated in the manual? - it doesn't get changed that often and isn't exactly a huge expense when compared to all the other costs of servicing - how hard can it ?

 

[snerkler]

But the OP has a 2010 bike and the 2010 owners book does not mention 20/50

Nope you're right, the PDF on my iphone is the 2008 handbook, I could have sworn it was the 2010 one The 2010 one mentions 10w-40 The not using fully synthetic before 10,000miles probably doesn't relate to the 2010 one either

Are you not being a bit precious about this, its not exactly a highly-stressed engine

Probably, but not being an oil expert I didn't realise what all the differences were until today and I didn't know that a semi synthetic oil could be used in an engine that specifies mineral oil etc.

That seems a reasonable assumption.Perhaps, but are you really going to extend the oil changer interval, or keep the same interval and pay more for your oil?

What I'm trying to acheive is a lower oil consumption as my bike's right on the limit, ie uses approx 1litres every 1000 miles.

 

[snerkler]

My 2010 manual states quite clearly what oil should be used - ?

Could you point me in the right direction please as I sure can't find it

There's a mention of 10w-40, and a chart with a whole heap of different viscosities listed, but I can't see anywhere that says whether to use mineral, synthetic etc?

 

[Wapping]

I have an 06 GSA, so not quite a 10 variety but not greatly different.

Over the 54,000 miles of its happy existence it has had poured into it's bowels:

10-40

20-40

20-50

and probably some other something-something's as well, I really do not remember nor do I write it down.

More importantly:

(a) The oils came from not one manufacturer. I have used: Castrol, Elf, Texaco, Esso and Fuchs to name but five and various others no doubt.

(b) They have at assorted times been mineral, semi-synthetic and fully synthetic.

(c) They have been mixed and / or topped up (without draining what was residing in the sump already) as needed between the main oil changes each 6,000 miles.

So, in 56,000 miles:

(1) I have had nine full oil changes and between times assorted top-ups, some quite major.

(2) At assorted times 'old' oil (whatever less than 6,000 but more than zero miles of use is called) has been mixed with 'new' oils.

(3) The bike has run at assorted air temperatures between -5c and +35c, often all day with limited stops and been revved fully, right around the scale.

(4) At any one time it is probably running on a hybrid of semi and fully synth, made by perhaps three different manufacturers, with maybe a splash of mineral if that is what went in.

(5) It is averaging perhaps a rating of 15-45 for the sake of argument.

Of course, nobody makes a 15-45 multi-grade oil and no company called Castro-El-Tex exists, nor makes a mineral synth.... but (and here is the really important bit)........ I decided to never tell my bike, so it would never know. And, you know what (as what you do not know can never hurt you) it has never complained once.

Mix away Mr Snerkler, it really will not go bang.

Better still, it will remove forever the risk of that one moment of deep dread when you find yourself 50 miles from civilisation, staring at a sight screen that is 9/10's empty and there being just a two litre dusty 10-40 4-T bottle on the shelf of Mrs Miggin's petrol station, made by Rick (or did it once say Rock?).

PS The only oil derived substance it really objected to was diesel.

 

[Engineer]

Could you point me in the right direction please as I sure can't find it

There's a mention of 10w-40, and a chart with a whole heap of different viscosities listed, but I can't see anywhere that says whether to use mineral, synthetic etc?

OK will do - away from home at the moment but will post you the page number when I get back tomorrow night - there is a whole range of viscosities in the table BUT look at the temperature range and choose the one that applies to you; whether or not you want to use synthetic is entirely up to you AS LONG as it meets the quoted specification, JASO grade whatever; can't remember it off the top of my head but it is in the book!

 

[snerkler]

OK will do - away from home at the moment but will post you the page number when I get back tomorrow night - there is a whole range of viscosities in the table BUT look at the temperature range and choose the one that applies to you; whether or not you want to use synthetic is entirely up to you AS LONG as it meets the quoted specification, JASO grade whatever; can't remember it off the top of my head but it is in the book!

Ok, I know the page you're referring to thanks, I was wanting to be spoon fed with just one type
I think this is the page

So in the UK's climate it appears that we can use any of the oils most of the year. I'm used to just being 'told' what specific oil to use rather than given a choice. Still doesn't say mineral or synthetic etc, and as I've said already mere mortals like myself do not/did not know that you can mix and match

 

[snerkler]

I have an 06 GSA, so not quite a 10 variety but not greatly different.

Over the 54,000 miles of its happy existence it has had poured into it's bowels:

10-40

20-40

20-50

and probably some other something-something's as well, I really do not remember nor do I write it down.

More importantly:

(a) The oils came from not one manufacturer. I have used: Castrol, Elf, Texaco, Esso and Fuchs to name but five and various others no doubt.

(b) They have at assorted times been mineral, semi-synthetic and fully synthetic.

(c) They have been mixed and / or topped up (without draining what was residing in the sump already) as needed between the main oil changes each 6,000 miles.

So, in 56,000 miles:

(1) I have had nine full oil changes and between times assorted top-ups, some quite major.

(2) At assorted times 'old' oil (whatever less than 6,000 but more than zero miles of use is called) has been mixed with 'new' oils.

(3) The bike has run at assorted air temperatures between -5c and +35c, often all day with limited stops and been revved fully, right around the scale.

(4) At any one time it is probably running on a hybrid of semi and fully synth, made by perhaps three different manufacturers, with maybe a splash of mineral if that is what went in.

(5) It is averaging perhaps a rating of 15-45 for the sake of argument.

Of course, nobody makes a 15-45 multi-grade oil and no company called Castro-El-Tex exists, nor makes a mineral synth.... but (and here is the really important bit)........ I decided to never tell my bike, so it would never know. And, you know what (as what you do not know can never hurt you) it has never complained once.

Mix away Mr Snerkler, it really will not go bang.

Better still, it will remove forever the risk of that one moment of deep dread when you find yourself 50 miles from civilisation, staring at a sight screen that is 9/10's empty and there being just a two litre dusty 10-40 4-T bottle on the shelf of Mrs Miggin's petrol station, made by Rick (or did it once say Rock?).

PS The only oil derived substance it really objected to was diesel.

Thanks Mr Wapping, that's actually very interesting

And thanks for refraining from using the gun barrel

 

[snerkler]

OK, so I have a clear answer at last, which agrees with some posts already on this thread. My dealer has informed me that although different oils have been recommended in the past "from the start of this year BMW have requested that we only use Castrol power 1 racing 10w/50 in all the twin cam models"
So it looks as though BMW motorrad are following the trend of BMW cars in that they've gone from being vague and giving us a choice to being very brand and type specific. This should at least help some of the confusion for numpties like myself who know sod all about oil
As for the pre DOHC engine GS's/GSA's it still looks like a bit of a mine field, although from Wapping's experience (and I'm sure many others) it doesn't really matter if you're not that fussy about oil

 

[Wapping]

What are you going to do if you need oil when away and cannot find any of the type and brand stipulated by your dealer?

I suggest a call to BuMW Recovery will be in order, with delivery back to the dealer's door.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8268003&contentId=6003234

'technical fluid management solutions', a four word buzz generator phrase of the highest quality

 

[cookie]

OK, so I have a clear answer at last, which agrees with some posts already on this thread. My dealer has informed me that although different oils have been recommended in the past "from the start of this year BMW have requested that we only use Castrol power 1 racing 10w/50 in all the twin cam models"
So it looks as though BMW motorrad are following the trend of BMW cars in that they've gone from being vague and giving us a choice to being very brand and type specific. This should at least help some of the confusion for numpties like myself who know sod all about oil
As for the pre DOHC engine GS's/GSA's it still looks like a bit of a mine field, although from Wapping's experience (and I'm sure many others) it doesn't really matter if you're not that fussy about oil

that doesn't mean that the Castrol power 1 racing 10w/50 is the only oil you can use, it means bmw have done a deal with castrol to use that in their workshops

probably find other markets have a different oil used in the dealers.

 

[Wapping]

probably find other markets have a different oil used in the dealers.

Nope, it's all embracing according to Castrol's website.... 3,500 dealers... on an 'exclusive'..... someone bid (or accepted) more than Elf, I guess..... It's rather like tied houses in the pub trade.... mother negotiates an exclusive deal and the children follow....

Unlike lager, it doesn't mean the oily product is bad though.

 

[bowser]

OK, so I have a clear answer at last, which agrees with some posts already on this thread. My dealer has informed me that although different oils have been recommended in the past "from the start of this year BMW have requested that we only use Castrol power 1 racing 10w/50 in all the twin cam models"
So it looks as though BMW motorrad are following the trend of BMW cars in that they've gone from being vague and giving us a choice to being very brand and type specific. This should at least help some of the confusion for numpties like myself who know sod all about oil
As for the pre DOHC engine GS's/GSA's it still looks like a bit of a mine field, although from Wapping's experience (and I'm sure many others) it doesn't really matter if you're not that fussy about oil

Isnt it interesting that if they do that in the states they would have to provided the oil etc for free.

 

[snerkler]

that doesn't mean that the Castrol power 1 racing 10w/50 is the only oil you can use, it means bmw have done a deal with castrol to use that in their workshops

.

No, I understand that but the point I'm making (obviously not very well) is that at least I'm now given a recommended oil in terms of visocisty and type (eg fully synthetic), whereas before it wasn't clear whether mineral, semi or full was 'best'.
I now know that in an ideal situation I should be using 10w-50 fully synthetic. I also know now that if I can't find this (as in Wapping's example) it is fine to use other oils

That being said I'm sure it won't be too long before BMW decide that your warranty will be void unless you use a specific castrol oil, as with my M3. I had a hell of a job when my M3 ran out of oil (due to a problem) on the M1, and BMW UK informed me that if I used anything other than Castrol Edge 10w-60 I'd void my warranty

 

[snerkler]

What are you going to do if you need oil when away and cannot find any of the type and brand stipulated by your dealer?

I suggest a call to BuMW Recovery will be in order, with delivery back to the dealer's door.

That's no joke, this nearly happened to me with my M3 (see my post above), if I coldn't get hold of the specific oil they would have had to tow me. However I couldn't find the specific oil, and there was no BMW emergency service vehicle in my area so was told to put another high grade castrol oil in (which I did find), limp home and go straight to the dealer for an oil change They did also kindly say that as they'd given me this advice if I did have any 'issues' due to using the "wrong" oil it would be on their head, and my warranty would still be covered.

I've got a feeling they'llbe going the same way with bikes. They have already stipulated that dealers can now only use Castrol Power 1 racing 10w-50, and I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of stipulation makes its way into the handbook before too long

P.S. I've just stumbled across you're oil thread in the "font of all wisdom section", very interesting reading

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

No, I understand that but the point I'm making (obviously not very well) is that at least I'm now given a recommended oil in terms of visocisty and type (eg fully synthetic)...........................................

I'm sure WBM are more conciencious than CCM ever were, but, when I ran my Rotax engined CCM they reccomended Mobil1 5/30 fully synth. Whilst Rotax reccomended 20/50 Dino oil and specificaly said not to use fully synth
I once put some Mobil1 in and it sounded like a bag of spanners when hot - drained it and went back to Dino oil and all happy again

Andres

 

[Beemerman59]

I seem to remember this is exactly the same scenario a few years ago when the oil you had to have was the Castrol ActEvo 4T 20/50. At that time you could only get it at the BMW dealers for £9 a litre. After 6 months or so it started turning up cheaper through the main distribution channel when again BMW started recommending a different oil, which funnily enough wasn't available through the main distribution channel and therefore more expensive. Its a cartel operation that they change every so often to make it look like it is'nt, purely for profit.

 

[snerkler]

I seem to remember this is exactly the same scenario a few years ago when the oil you had to have was the Castrol ActEvo 4T 20/50. At that time you could only get it at the BMW dealers for £9 a litre. After 6 months or so it started turning up cheaper through the main distribution channel when again BMW started recommending a different oil, which funnily enough wasn't available through the main distribution channel and therefore more expensive. Its a cartel operation that they change every so often to make it look like it is'nt, purely for profit.

Then they've failed this time as Castrol Power 1 racing is available from many places

 

[Demongroover]

See what I mean Snerkler!

Crazy isn't it that there is no definitive answer.

 

[snerkler]

See what I mean Snerkler!

Crazy isn't it that there is no definitive answer.

It is yeah. And I knew I'd open a can of worms as I've seen the other oil threads on here, but I say blame BMW not me

However, I have the DOHC engine and there is now a definitive answer for these engines, which is 10w-50 fully synthetic, and BMW would prefer you to have Castrol's Power 1 racing. So my thread wasn't in vain after all