Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


is it ok to use slightly different oil grade (10w40, 10w50)

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

czakal
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:35 - 20 May 2023    Post subject: is it ok to use slightly different oil grade (10w40, 10w50) Reply with quote

Hello people, it's my first oil change with my BMW G310R, the manual specifies 10W50 but 10W40 is much easier to find. Am I correct that the difference between those viscosities isn't huge, especially for a relatively low power budget bike like mine?

Thanks, C
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Nobby the Bastard
Harley Gaydar



Joined: 16 Aug 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:40 - 20 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

10w50 isn't that difficult to find. If thats what the manufacturer recommends, get it.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Robby
Dirty Old Man



Joined: 16 May 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:57 - 20 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's unusual to require 10W50 in a liquid cooled engine, it's the sort of grade you may expect to need in something air cooled that operates over a wider temperature range.

I would assume there's a good reason why it asks for 10W50, and 10W40 would be too thin in very hot conditions, leading to low oil pressure in heavy traffic in summer.

Get the right stuff.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

czakal
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 01:58 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry I meant 15W50, had a bit of trouble finding local stock but found something in next town over...
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

MCN
Super Spammer



Joined: 22 Jul 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 06:19 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was 'looking after' a Detriot Diesel for a few months a couple of years ago. The khunts were running it with the 'usual 15w40 Diesel engine oil we used in all our other Diesels.
The Detriot was wolfing through engine oil and the exhausts were dripping oil out of every joint.
I was told, 'Yeah, it's been doing this for years.'.

The issue with Detriot Diesel is they are only supposed to run on Mono Grade engine oils. For our engine that was 30w.
The oil consumption and raining oil was solved just by draining and filling with 30w oil.

The numbers on the oil indicate what temperature range the oil will maintain its lubricating properties. But also affects how easy/difficult it will be to start in cold temperatures.
The thicker oil puts more load on the starter system.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:17 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't worry about it..

Perhaps if I was touring a hot country I might try harder to get 15/50. On the other hand it's probably the standard choice in a hot country and more available..
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

MCN
Super Spammer



Joined: 22 Jul 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:07 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

15/50 isn't difficult to get.
Unless you are located in a region where stuff is difficult to get.

Ebay amazon are all the usual khunts have it available.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Pete.
Super Spammer



Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:27 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an oil cooled BMW which is supposed to use 10w/50. I just put any good oil in it. I've used 0w/30 fully synth long life oil for vw diesels (coz I get it free from work) and I've used 15/30, 15/40 semi-synth and get very high mileages on my bike.

Just change it often.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:07 - 21 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

BMW usually have a chart in the owners manual showing different oil viscosities for use in different air temperature ranges.

If you are in the UK, it boils down to both 15w-50 and 10w-40 will cover any range of temperatures you could reasonably expect to encounter. Not like in continental Europe where they will be seeing minus double figures for weeks at a time over the winter.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Polarbear
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 15:03 - 22 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

Working on the principle 'some oil is better than no oil. I've put some real shite in my cars and bikes over the years. It certainly wouldn't worry me in the slightest using 10/40 in place of 10/50.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

blurredman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Sep 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:06 - 23 May 2023    Post subject: Reply with quote

I often use 10w40 semi (MA) oil for actual oil change on my bike, but top up with much cheaper 20w50 standard mineral. I do the oil change just before the winter, so I make the most of the smoother gear changes whilst I can- and by the time summer comes around, about half a gallon of oil has burnt up in total and it's all pretty much 20w50 by that point anyway through topping up so it doesn't effect the smoothness of the bike by the time the sun has come out. Not that any of this matters realistically.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1972 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> The Workshop All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.10 Sec - Server Load: 0.28 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 70.92 Kb