Oil Levels

[basingstokesteve]

The hand book that came with my new 2013 RT says to check the oil level 5 minutes after a long run (with the bike standing on level ground obviously) and not to check it when cold as this could lead to over filling which we all know can cause damage as well as the oil level being to low. However when I have been for a long ride and check the oil after 5 or even 10 minutes the oil level is about half way between the max and min level but when I check after it has been stood over night the oil level is just below the max level in the viewing window. This seems to be totally opposite to the hand book.
Any one have any comments on the above??

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It's fine so don't worry. As long as you have something in the window you are good to go. Remember there is nearly a gallon of teh black stuff in there so as long as you are between the marks, you have plenty in there so don't get too worked up about the exact level.

A rule of thumb is always use the same technique to check your oil. It doesn't really matter which it is but if you do the same thing each time, you'll get used to it.

I check mine on my GS when it's cold and as long as I see oil in the window, I'm happy and in 104,000 miles, I've only topped it up twice and that was in extreme heat.

 

[mrjim130]

+1. As long as you do you checks the same way, it's ok.

 

[Puggy]

Yes I had excatly the same conundrum! I spoke to the dealer who said when the warning comes on dash, tip in about half a litre of oil.

As for the oil, it turns out the the can't just chuck in any old synthetic 10/40 from halfords. oh no. It requires Castrol Power 1 4T 10w-50 Oil which has been drilled from the moons of Saturn and refined in the furnaces of the Sun before being transported to earth by Scarlett Johanson riding a unicorn and then sold in well known oil outlets like Amazon for £14 a litre.....

 

[stever1]

My dealer uses Mobil oil not Castrol. They sell it at about £13 a litre. Halfords sell it at £22 for 5 litres. Guess which one I buy?.

 

[Packer]

As for the oil, it turns out the the can't just chuck in any old synthetic 10/40 from halfords. oh no. It requires Castrol Power 1 4T 10w-50 Oil which has been drilled from the moons of Saturn and refined in the furnaces of the Sun before being transported to earth by Scarlett Johanson riding a unicorn and then sold in well known oil outlets like Amazon for £14 a litre.....

Look in the handbook to establish the recommended quality, SG I think for 1150's but don't know about later models, then log on to opieoils.co.uk and see what's on offer. Today they have Millers Sg grade Semi-Synth 10W-40 at £19.19 inc VAT for 4 litres.

 

[Steptoe]

Any one have any comments on the above??

You can see oil using both the methods of checking so don't worry about it. .

 

[Paul Wakefield]

in 104,000 miles, I've only topped it up twice and that was in extreme heat.

Ummm - shouldn't you have changed it by now??

 

[geordielad]

You can see oil using both the methods of checking so don't worry about it. .

The method I use is to instruct the Butler to check it - I find that it's such a dirty job that I refuse to even consider it.
As for oil, I use Aldi special mix 10w/40 as long as it's on offer.

 

[Paulontheball]

Ummm, that's not allowed!

My dealer uses Mobil oil not Castrol. They sell it at about £13 a litre. Halfords sell it at £22 for 5 litres. Guess which one I buy?.

Ah yes, but does it have BMW on the label?!..... I think not!...... and that's not officially allowed ..... . .now is it?