One of the most common questions I get from a lot of people is the whole issue of putting car oils into dirt bikes. While it is important to note that regular oil for dirt bikes is the best; however, car oils can only be good in some cases because the oil is not intended for dirt bikes.
So, can you use car oil for dirt bikes? It depends: you can use car oil only if your dirt bike has a separate gearbox. If not, it would be less advisable because dirt bikes and cars are very different. So, it is possible to use car oils for dirt bikes that have a separate gearbox but it is not recommended as it is not healthy for dirt bike engines when used for a long time.
You have to understand that car oils have different requirements and differences from dirt bike oils. So it is possible to use car oils in some bikes. It is not recommended that car oil can ruin your dirt bike but the safest and best thing you can do is use regular engine oil for dirt bikes and not oils from other vehicles.
If the whole topic of dirt bike oils is interesting to you, keep reading. In this guide, I will show you all the things you need to know about dirt bikes and car oils.
Here are the topics I will discuss in this guide
| what are the differences between car and dirt bike oils? |
| How to change your dirt bike oil |
| Tips for changing dirt bike oil |
| Related questions |
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what are the differences between car and dirt bike oils?
Dirt Bike and Car oils are very different and they have different purposes to deal with differently.
- The main difference between dirt bike and car oils is that car oils have all kinds of different additives due to the high mileage that they cover and so can be very detrimental to dirt bike engines.
- Another difference between car oils and dirt bikes is the viscosity. This factor is very different between the two engines.
In short, dirt bikes and cars are very different from each other but you can use car oil in your dirt bike. However, you should take into account that it is very harmful to dirt bikes engine and it is not particularly recommended for use continuously. Instead, it is best to use regular dirt bike oils.
But if you need to use it temporarily, car oil can be safe to use but not for a long time.
How to change your dirt bike oil
Replacing the oil in your dirt bike is one of the most important things you need to do to help maintain your bike.
In fact, if you do not replace the oil regularly, it can cause huge damage to your dirt bike.
To avoid harming your bike, you need to follow these steps to replace the oil. The steps also contain all related things you need to know.
Step 1 – What equipment do you need to replace the oil in your dirt bike?
Before you start replacing the oil in your dirt bike, you need to make sure you have all the necessary equipment.
- Oil filter – you should have a good oil filter that fits your dirt bike. I personally use this oil filter that you can buy on Amazon, which I think is the best oil filter you can find. I was very surprised by how much the price has gone down since I bought it and I highly recommend you take a look at it. Click here to view.
- Engine oil – it is very important to use high-quality engine oil. There is an annotation later in the guide and I will show you the best oils I use.
- Funnel – you need a plastic funnel so that it is easier to pour the new oil into your engine. You can buy lots of excellent funnels on Amazon for a few bucks.
- Screwdriver – it is very important that you have the right-sized screwdriver that fits the screws of your dirt bike so that you can easily release the filter and other screws.
- Oil pan – you will need an oil pan to catch all the dirty oil, or you can use anything else like a bucket or nozzle.
- Gloves – put on good gloves from Megumi to avoid hot oil falling on your hands.
- Cleaning rags – it is not mandatory that you have rags for cleaning but I highly recommend that you have some so that if dirty oil falls on the floor, you have something to clean it up.
Step 2 – Replace the oil in a neat and clean place
It is very important to replace your dirt bike oil in a clean place so that no dirt gets into the dirt bike.
Also, it is very important to arrange your work environment so that it is easier for you to replace the oil.
I personally recommend replacing the oil in a clean place, for example, a closed room. It’s also important to clean the room with a vacuum cleaner or a broom before you start replacing the oil.
Step 3 – Turn on the engine
Turn on the engine for at least 5 to 10 minutes before changing the oil to let the dirt bike warm up. This will help the oil to drain from your engine.
It is very important not to turn the engine on for more than 5 to 10 minutes so that the dirt bike does not overheat.
Step 4 – Put your dirt bike on a stand
After you turn on the engine and have cleaned your environment, the last thing you have to do is to put your dirt bike on a stand.
It is very important to use a strong and high-quality stand that will support the dirt bike to prevent it from falling.
There are 3 types of stands you need to know about – side stands, center stands, and rear stands.
My favorite is this dirt bike stand, which is the best and most convenient stand I have used. It can be used for cleaning purposes and is now available for purchase on Amazon at a very reasonable price and I highly recommend you take a look at it. Click here to view.
Step 5 – Remove the dirty oil
To remove the dirty oil from the engine, there are several steps you will need to take.
- Put the drain pan under the dirt bike– it’s very important to use a drain pan and you should put it under the dirt bike so that you do not dirty the environment when you replace the oil.
- Remove the drain bolt – after putting the oil pan under the dirt bike, you will need to remove the drain bolt. To do this, simply take a screwdriver and release any screws that hold the bolt. If you can’t remove the screws with the screwdriver, try using a rubber seat on the socket handle.
- Open the oil cap – it is very important to open the engine oil cap so air can pass through the engine which is very helpful to the oil drainage process.
- Open the filter – now, you have to open the filter and to do that, you will need to use a screwdriver to loosen the screws. If you can’t release the filter with a screwdriver, you can also try to release it with a leather pan or collar.
- Let the oil drain – after you remove the filter and the drain bolt, you can simply let all the oil drain out. also Remember to check the drain pan and be sure that it is in front of the oil opening so that the dirty oil does not pollute your environment. I recommend you have wipes readily available to clean any oil residue that has leaked from the drain pan.
Step 6 – Add the new oil
Once you have removed the dirty oil from the engine, you will need to pour the new oil into the engine. To do this, there are some steps you will need to take.
- Return the drain bolt – the first thing you will need to do is return the drain bolt into place. It is very important to make sure the drain bolt is clean from dirt and oil residue.
- Replace the oil filter – once you have put the drain bolt back in place, you will now need to install your new filter and it is very important before you put the filter into the place, to clean it from dirt and oil residue will After you clean the filter, you need to dip your finger in the new oil and start to smear it on the new filter to help make better contact with the engine. This will help remove the oil filter during the next oil change.
- Add the new oil – after you have returned the filter and have put the drain bolt back into place, you can start pouring the new oil into the engine. but Before pouring new oil into the engine, you will need to transfer the dirty oil so you do not accidentally pour it back into the engine. After you’ve done this, you can add the new oil. To add the new oil, you need to use the funnel and start by pouring about half a liter into the filling hole.
It is very important not to put too much oil into the engine, to begin with, start by putting in about half a liter. I highly recommend looking at the manufacturer’s instructions so that you know exactly how much oil to add.
After pouring the new oil into the engine, you will need to replace all the screws and return the old oil to the store you bought it from.
Do not pour the dirty oil into the soil because it pollutes the environment and it is also illegal to do this. Instead, take the dirty oil and give it to a store that sells oils so that they can recycle it.
Congratulations! You have successfully replaced the oil in your dirt bike.
Tips for changing dirt bike oil
- Clean the used tools to avoid the accidental influx of dirt into the new oil.
- Use gloves – it is very important to use good rubber gloves to protect your hands from hot oil. I know a lot of people who didn’t wear gloves and threw hot oil on their hand, which resulted in them staying in the hospital.
- It is very important not to tighten the oil drain plug too much.
- Do not pour too much oil into the engine because it can put a lot of pressure and strain on your engine, which can damage it. It is very important to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the container you are using and put in the recommended amount.
- Never use oil that is not specially adapted for dirt bikes.
- Replace your dirt bike oil in a clean place such as a closed room so as not to get the engine dirty.
- Do not pour your dirty oil on the floor because it is very polluting. Put the dirty oil in a bottle and go and give it to a store that sells oils so that they can recycle it.
Related questions
How do I know when my dirt bike needs an oil change? You will need to replace your engine oil every 3,750 miles. However, changing your oil can vary depending on your riding style, so you may need to replace the oil more often.
How long does it take to replace dirt bike oil? The oil change can take between 45 to 60 minutes. It very much depends on your speed and your skills.
What happens if you don’t change the engine oil? If you do not replace the oil in your dirt bike, it may affect its performance and worse still will damage your dirt bike internal components.
Need dirt bike safety gear? Click here to buy safety gear for dirt bike riding on amazon , or go check my sales pages of recommended safety gear page click here to view.
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