Engine Oil Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions for Scooty Owners

In India, scooters, or more fondly called scooties are an integral part of middle-class families. Serving as a dependable vehicle that can take your family to your destination quickly. For many families what makes it such an easy choice of transport is their fuel efficiency and easy handling. But anything needs proper maintenance and scooties are no different. Especially, the most important part is the scooty engine oil. But what raises the problem is the lack of awareness as many people do not know the role of scooty engine oil. 

To keep any engine running smoothly for a longer time. Engine oil is very essential but common people lack this info. Furthermore, this unawareness leads to the formation of myths. Thus, a mix of misinformation, incomplete knowledge and myths, leads to a slew of problems. To the point of applying the wrong engine oil which damages the engine itself. Therefore in this blog, we are taking the responsibility to debunk many of these myths. So, let's get on with us as we will address much of these misinformations and tell you the right answers.

A Common Misconception of All Oils Are the Same

Many people think that essentially all engine oils are the same. In particular, you can use engine oil meant for four-wheelers in your scooty but that is a misconception. In reality, the average size of a scooty engine is much smaller than cars. But these small scooty engines run at a higher RPM or revolution per minute. Therefore, these smaller engines need dedicated scooty engine oil to provide the right balance of lubrication and cooling. Hence, it is recommended to check what grade of scooty engine oil is required. For example, 10W-30 or 5W-40 grade and mineral, semi-synthetic, or synthetic type of engine oil.

Myth About the Frequency of Changing Scooty Engine Oil

The misconception continues with many owners believing that once scooty engine oil is applied it does not need any change as the oil will last for a long time. But truth be told, over time due to heat, friction, and contamination from combustion byproducts, the engine oil degrades. As per the manufacturer’s guidelines, it is recommended to change scooty engine oil every 3000 to 5000 kilometres. If the engine is not oiled properly over a long period, it leads to higher wear and tear of the engine. Furthermore, such neglect can also lead to engine damage.

Clean-looking Scooty Engine Oil Can be Deceptive

If your scooty engine oil looks clean or has an amber colour, it does not mean that the oil is alright. We usually believe that dirty engine oil is a sign of it going bad. But even a clean-looking engine oil can lose its lubrication properties and degrade. Oil degradation happens on a microscopic level which makes it impossible to view from the naked eye. Furthermore, various chemicals like anti-wear agents and detergents, can break down over time, reducing the oil’s effectiveness. Thus, does not matter if the oil is clean-looking or not. As we have mentioned before, change the engine following the appropriate intervals.

The Common Mistake of Using 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil in a Scooty

While both motorcycles and scooties have 4-stroke engines. It does not mean you can use the engine oil for the motorcycle in your scooty. After all, the design of a motorcycle engine and scooty engine is vastly different. Scooties generally have a CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission system, which requires specific lubrication. Using motorcycle oil which contains friction modifiers, adversely affects the CVT. Thus, it is better to stick with scooty engine oil to avoid any slippage or wear.

Final Words

It is always better to know your scooty by yourself. What the vehicle requires and how to take care of it. Remember, the heart of your vehicle is its engine. Therefore, taking care of it properly is necessary. Use proper scooty engine oil to ensure smoother performance and protection from any kind of degradation.