Oil Change

[YardDog]

Why do we have to change oil so often these days? The standard for cars and trucks was 2k-3k miles 30 years ago. But oils and filters are so much better than they have ever been. Cars and trucks now go 10k miles between oil changes, yet Honda, Polaris, and all the rest that make off road rigs say we have to change at 600 miles or 100 hours. Hell I can remember back in the 70's and 80's when motorcycles and three wheelers were lucky to get an oil change once a year and lasted 20-30 years before they gave out, same thing for cars and trucks. Just wondering why with today's oil and filters all manufactures require such frequent oil changes.

 

[Admin]

 

[Average_Joe]

The sub transmission is rated at yearly. Oil changes after the first one is 1200miles which can last up to a year depending how often you ride. To me oil is cheap enough i do all fluids each change. The subtransmission holds just over 1qt, just over 7 quarts to change all fluids this is on the 1000cc model.

 

[YardDog]

Well I guess my display must be goofy. I did the 100 mile break in, and according to the display oil is changed every 600 miles or 100 hours since then.

 

[Neohio]

Read your manual again............

1200 miles on oil, 600 on maintenance stuff.

 

[YardDog]

I'll have to find it, I was just going by the display, and also what others have said no matter the brand. But even 1200 miles is far shy of what I'd expect with todays oils and filters. Again, most motorcycles and three wheelers got oil changed once a year at best. I can show you an 86 Rancher 350 that I know hasn't had an oil change in over four years but still runs like a top. True the plastic is torn all to hell, and every kid in the county has run the piss out of it. But set the choke, bump the button, it fires up and runs smooth, and has never let anyone down in 31 years.

 

[YardDog]

What maintenance items do I need to be concerned with every 600 miles? Still looking for my manual and haven't found it yet.

 

[joeymt33]

 

[Neohio]

My apologies if i came across as an ass.

 

[Smitty335]

My apologies if i came across as an ass.

View attachment 59999

I kinda cheated, I timed my 600 hour oil change with the clutch improvement which they put all new oil in and I had been changing filters with the other oil changes, so I got a free oil change.

 

[Neohio]

@Smitty335, I don’t think they change the oil, only replace up to 2 quarts. @HondaTech I believe said the job could be done elevating the rear of the machine to reduce oil loss to almost nothing.

 

[Smitty335]

@Smitty335, I don’t think they change the oil, only replace up to 2 quarts. @HondaTech I believe said the job could be done elevating the rear of the machine to reduce oil loss to almost nothing.

My service ticket said 7 quarts of oil were used, better change my oil then.

 

[JTW]

@YardDog makes a valid point!

 

[HondaTech]

I'll have to find it, I was just going by the display, and also what others have said no matter the brand. But even 1200 miles is far shy of what I'd expect with todays oils and filters. Again, most motorcycles and three wheelers got oil changed once a year at best. I can show you an 86 Rancher 350 that I know hasn't had an oil change in over four years but still runs like a top. True the plastic is torn all to hell, and every kid in the county has run the piss out of it. But set the choke, bump the button, it fires up and runs smooth, and has never let anyone down in 31 years.

I would like to point out 1 problem wirh this.

That old 350 doesn't use the oil for anything but engine lubrication, it's not reving that high and it's not under alot of pressure. While the P1K and P700 use oil for transmission operation and it's under alot more pressure. The oil is more critical in these newer DCT and converter models than it is in the older units. I agree with the older stuff, I could run my old Big Red all year on one oil change. But I've been in the trenches for 10 years and trust me, if you do your 700 or 1000 like this you won't like the consequences. It may not show up now but it will eventually.

It's like comparing a 86 model car to a newer one. Just not the same, but for them it's the opposite because the oil has gotten better mostly because of synthetics.

 

[HondaTech]

@Smitty335, I don’t think they change the oil, only replace up to 2 quarts. @HondaTech I believe said the job could be done elevating the rear of the machine to reduce oil loss to almost nothing.

This is correct, we use a chain hoist and you lose what's in the cover and little dribbles out.

I have been confused about the oil change intervals as well. The dash says 600 the manual says 1200. My service rep says follow the owners manual so I was telling customers every 1200.

 

[lee]

The dash tells you maintenance is due. The chart tells you what maintenance is due - see the chart @Neohio posted.

 

[elkaholic]

The dash also tells you what interval (1 or 2) is due. I simply change oil and filter at each interval. Oil is much cheaper than engine repairs.


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[ohanacreek]

The dash also tells you what interval (1 or 2) is due. I simply change oil and filter at each interval. Oil is much cheaper than engine repairs.


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Right, theres no way fresh oil and filter can be a bad thing for the motor. Maybe to your wallet.

 

[HondaTech]

Well on the atvs the service light has always come on at 600 miles. Even before the maintenance 1 or 2 option. So that indicated a oil change which is what the light should come on every 1200, the only maintenance the chart recommends at 600 is to check the net snaps/clips and clean thw spark arrester (which no one does, ever).

Since the oil change is recommended at 1200 the dash IMO, should light up at 1200. I'm not debating oil changes arent better for your units. For instance Honda says my Grom should get an oil change every 2400 miles. But there is no way in hell, I'm pulling 2400 miles on a single cylinder air cooled engine that sees mostly high revs all the time. I change it every 600, might be overkill but I want that thing to last me.

 

[YardDog]

My apologies if i came across as an ass.

View attachment 59999

Not at all. I appreciate everyone's help. I have no clue where I put my manual so I'll just download a pdf. After looking at everything posted, I've been pissing away money. Every 600 miles after the initial service I've been changing the oil and both filters. According to the chart you posted, these rigs aren't high maintenance at all. But I still think that at 1200 miles, the oil and filters should last longer. Thanks again for all the help everyone, much appreciated.

 

[Neohio]

If you find a pdf of the owners manual, please share it. I haven’t come across one yet.