Triumphrat

07-10-2004

Is there a consensus on frequency of oil changes. My owners manual says 3000 miles. The dealer says 6000 miles.
comments, anyone ?

bobshields55 · 07-10-2004

I'm surprised that your owners manual says 3000 miles for an engine oil change. The Triumph service manual for triples dictates first change at 500 miles and then every 6000 miles thereafter.

Ride safe

Bob :-g

vonbonds · 07-10-2004

I change my oil every 2000 miles but that is just me.

Tom

Slinky · 07-10-2004

6000 miles is right, but only if you are using a good quality synthetic oil. I have not been much more than 4000 miles between changes, but that's just paranoia.

Wombat · 07-11-2004

I don't care what brand or type of oils that may be used or recommended....6000 miles is way too long between oil changes.

bobshields55 · 07-11-2004

I must agree with you guys. Certainly won't let mine go 6000 miles before changing it.

I was telling Ace what the book said and now he has both sides of the story. (Ooops, there I go stealing from Paul Harvey!!)

Ride safe

Bob :-D

Shaunlee · 07-11-2004

Change your oil every chance you get,and if you have any problems with a sticky shifter I recommend trying a different brand of oil.

[ This message was edited by: Shaunlee on 2004-07-11 02:25 ]

97TB · 07-11-2004

Funny - I just asked my dealer the same question. He said it is a good idea to change the oil between service intervals - or every 3000 or so miles. But, he reminded me that Triumph recommends only every 6000 miles. With today's synthetics it is highly probable that this would be sufficient. For example, a BMW 325 only gets oil changes every 15000 miles!

Dan

07-11-2004

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at my book again and it does say 6000 miles. I have no idea where I got the 3000 mile idea. I tend to agree with the longer service intervals being due to the use of synthetic oils. However, I would rather change more frequently. No matter what oil cost, it is still cheaper than engine and transmission problems.

mecscc · 07-11-2004

Aren't the oil wars fun?

Here's my take on it.

1. Changing oil before the manufacturer's recommended mileage or time limit is a waste of time and money. I have never seen an iota of scientific evidence that indicates that a 3000 mile change helps a vehicle that the manufacturer says needs changing every 6000 miles. I have noticed that ALL the oil companies recommend 3000 miles, for cars and bikes, in spite of the clear recommendations of the car and bike manufacturers. So if we want to further line the pockets of the oil companies, we are certainly entitled to do it. Which brings me to 2:

2. Even if it makes no economic or scientific sense to change oil early, but it gives the owner a sense of security or peace of mind, DO IT. In the whole scheme of things it might be just one of the cheapest ways to make us feel better.

I use dino oil in the little Honda and change it every 3000, as recommended. I use semi-syn in the Virago and the Tbird and change them every 5000 miles. Ditto the two cars. Why? It is easy for me to remember that I change the oil in all my vehicles every 5000 miles: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 etc. That way I don't have to try to remember (except for the Honda) when to change the oil. I'm coming up on 75000 on the Grand Marguis, so a change is coming. I'm just over 13000 on the Tbird, so a change is coming in a month or so, etc.

One other thing: I do not winterize my bikes but ride them at least 30 miles every two weeks all winter long. If I did winterize the bikes I would change the oil before putting them into hibernation, regardless of the miles on the oil that is in them at the time of winterizing. I have no evidence that this is a better thing to do, but to me it makes sense not to let them sit idle in a cold garage with dirty contaminated oil in them.

Take care,

Monte