Increased fuel mileage:)

[Porkie]

I am meticulous about keeping a record of fuel mileage on all my vehicles. I always keep the receipts and write the number of miles traveled, divided by the amount of fuel and write it down---why? I don't know, it's an obsession:)

I recently changed oil for the 3rd time in 4,000 miles and decided to try some of my Mobil 1 synthetic, 5w-20 in the Xciting 500. Now this is preliminary but I got 47.87 mpg on the first fill up since using this new 'energy saving' oil. I have always got 40-43 mpg on the same roads at the same speed, so I wonder if this new slicker, energy saving oil caused this? A 5 to 7 mpg increase is significant:)

Sam:)

[ophelia]

Keep an eye on your oil levels closely every fill-up. The oil is thinner when hot than the usual 5W40-5W50 specified, and your engine may consume it rapidly. Run low on oil and you are in trouble.

[mrmike]

I am meticulous about keeping a record of fuel mileage on all my vehicles. I always keep the receipts and write the number of miles traveled, divided by the amount of fuel and write it down---why? I don't know, it's an obsession:)

I recently changed oil for the 3rd time in 4,000 miles and decided to try some of my Mobil 1 synthetic, 5w-20 in the Xciting 500. Now this is preliminary but I got 47.87 mpg on the first fill up since using this new 'energy saving' oil. I have always got 40-43 mpg on the same roads at the same speed, so I wonder if this new slicker, energy saving oil caused this? A 5 to 7 mpg increase is significant:)

Sam:)

  Porkie

     I'm a great supporter of full synthetic oil. However it is also very important to use the right viscosity for your climate. 5w-20 seems a little too light to me unless you live in a much cooler climate. Check your owners manual for a chart of temperature ranges for different viscosities. I live in Central New York and use a 10w-40 in my engine and 75w-90 in my diff. I believe you may get better mileage from synthetic, but 4mpg seems like quite a bit.

[NeoGenesisMax]

None of my three four stroke scooterz took anything les than a sae 40 that 20 sounds like youll gouge your cylinder walls

[Porkie]

Since my Xciting 500 is water cooled and thermostat controlled, I don't see a real issue since temperature is constant: When I went to work this morning, it was 75 degrees and when I came home it was 95 degrees and the temperature gauge was right in the middle where it always is. I believe if a thin oil may cause a higher friction coefficient then it would be reflected in the temperature reading.

5W is designed to flow easier when cold. It doesn't 'bleed down' from the cylinder/ piston interface. From the studies I've read their is very little difference in HOT flow/ pour rate between 15W-45 like the Shell Rotella that I have been using for years and the 5W-20 I'm using now. The energy saving oils have friction modifiers that produces LESS drag and friction, which should make an engine run cooler.

The big 500cc single seems to turn over easier and it seems quieter and smoother:)

Sam:)

[ophelia]

Just keep in mind the hot viscosity is still measured to the SAE scale. The Kymco engineers had a certain hot viscosity in mind when they designed the engine with its pressurized bearings. Too little viscosity and the bearings may lose pressure and seize. Too thin of an oil, and it may escape the piston rings and burn at a high rate.

I've used 0W30 in my Bet and Win, but it was winter and I would carefully monitor oil levels. Personally I would have an oil pressure gauge fitted to be comfortably sure my bearings are receiving the needed pressure at all engine speeds if I play with oil at those extremes.

You can reap all of the cold starting benefits with a 0W40 or 5W40 or factory 5W50 all the same. But that's quite a risk with a 5W20 oil. Not my engine, but good luck.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Just to remark on this...
For my NSS300/Honda the manual advises 10W/30 weight oil and specifically states not to use any oil labeled as energy conserving in their scooters.
I know a lot of new cars use energy conserving oils  - but it may be false economy to use it in our hard working scooter engines (water cooled or not) to gain a few MPGs.
Just a thought
Stig

[blue]

I use 15/40 in the summuer and when the weather gets colder I switch to 10 /30 helps with cold starting and dont thinken up so fast on me.

[NeoGenesisMax]

And oil viscosity has its biggest drop in the first 800 miles or so. Whe your rig calls for a 40 and you put in a 20 then it loses some viscosity youre not even coming close to what the OEM guys designed it to need. Do what ya will sir. I wouldnt do that though.

[Porkie]

Thanks for the good advice and I'll take it and go to a higher viscosity.

The day I put the new oil in, I was out of Rotella but had some Mobil 1 leftover from my oil changes in my 2009 Dodge Ram, Big Horn, quad cab, 4x4 pickup with the multiple displacement 400 HP Hemi engine that absolutely requires 5W-20 to allow the switch from 8 cyls to 4 cyls under light loads.

Sam:)

[kingkymco125]

Porkie:

I know here in the desert of Vegas, one of my scooter mechanic buddies recommends using 10w-40 in the summer months and 20w-50 in the winter months. He works on all the small 50cc scooters and recommends changing the oil every 500 miles. I know for the bigger bikes such as my 125, the owner book recommends every 2000 kilometers, or every 1,243 miles.  My dealer mechanic uses the full AMS synthetic oil for all the bikes they service. I have used Mobil1 for my previously 50cc bikes. I know Mobil1 is good stuff. It all depends on whether one likes the conventional, or full synthetic oil. I personally like the full synthetics.

[mrmike]

Porkie:

I know here in the desert of Vegas, one of my scooter mechanic buddies recommends using 10w-40 in the summer months and 20w-50 in the winter months. He works on all the small 50cc scooters and recommends changing the oil every 500 miles. I know for the bigger bikes such as my 125, the owner book recommends every 2000 kilometers, or every 1,243 miles.  My dealer mechanic uses the full AMS synthetic oil for all the bikes they service. I have used Mobil1 for my previously 50cc bikes. I know Mobil1 is good stuff. It all depends on whether one likes the conventional, or full synthetic oil. I personally like the full synthetics.

I think you may have that mixed up. Don't you mean 10w-40 in the winter months and 20w-50 in the summer months?

[kingkymco125]

Maybe. I am going by what he told me.