SuzukiSavage.com - Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?

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Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
11/26/16 at 20:21:59

Hi, what's up!

I just wanted to know if you need to check your oil level (using that small window at the bottom of the engine of the bike) when the bike is cold or after running it for a few minutes?

Because I recently checked the oil level was above the upper level mark, so I decided to remove the excess, and now it seems to be fine, but I turned it on and wanted to check it again, the oil doesn't go back as fast, so just wanted to clarify that, thanks!

Savage 97.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #1 - 11/26/16 at 20:54:10 If it's Making Oil You should check the petcock. How many miles? Modifications? You don't say enough to really know what is going on.
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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #2 - 11/27/16 at 00:05:42

The somewhat later but virtually same engine S40 owners manual suggests the following. 1/ Start engine and run for a few minutes 2/ stop engine and wait for three minutes 3/ Hold motorcycle vertically, it's easier to get a block of wood or brick about 2 3/4 inches high and put under the side stand, and inspect the oil level through the side inspection window. Capacity is about 2 US quarts.

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Completely stock 2010 S40, aftermarket rev counter and back pack, Airhawk seat pad

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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #3 - 11/27/16 at 20:19:58 .
Back to top	Untitled_023.jpg There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #4 - 11/29/16 at 18:52:44

I think it's always best to spend some time and get the oil exactly right using the factory method, and then once you are sure it's right, leave the bike overnight and check the oil cold. That cold level now becomes the way you check oil for evermore.

This eliminates all the variables and also encourages more frequent oil checking because you can do it first thing without any preparation.

I have found that the correct oil level for a cold engine when the bike is brought into the upright position is that the top of the oil should be right at the very very top of the sight glass.

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gizzo Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiCabbage. It's Savage. Posts: 1318 Australia	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #5 - 11/30/16 at 12:43:13 I don't obsess over it. If I can see oil in the window, hot or cold, I'm good to go. If I'm going on a long ride I make sure its at the top half of the window, for sure. Holding the bike verticle of course.
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #6 - 11/30/16 at 20:21:18 This engine does tend to burn a little oil at speeds around 60 mph or so. Keep an eye on your oil if you like to travel at speeds greater than that.
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #7 - 12/01/16 at 15:25:20 My experience Oil gets away quicker as the oil gets more miles on it. The pure synthetic may not act the same.
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eau de sauvage

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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #8 - 12/01/16 at 18:18:23

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 12/01/16 at 15:25:20:

My experience

Oil gets away quicker as the oil gets more miles on it.
The pure synthetic may not act the same.

I can say from my own experience that after the first oil change at 1000km refilling with fully synthetic 15W50, the bike has used no oil at all for the next 5000kms and that is doing a fair few highway miles.

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Kenny G Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com The Singles Club...LOL Posts: 1754 Robson Ranch, Denton, Texas Gender:	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #9 - 12/01/16 at 18:52:50 AT 7000 miles my 2013 S40 uses no oil using the Rotella Synthetic 5W40. Kenny G
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norm92de

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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #10 - 12/01/16 at 19:00:08

My bike is filled with synthetic and seems to burn very little oil at all.
I guess I must be a spendthrift buying all that high dollar oil.

I have no evidence one way or another but I do know that in Europe the manufacturers of some/most cars specify synthetic. And declare that the warranty is void if it is not used. How they could determine what was used I have no idea.

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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #11 - 12/02/16 at 12:55:52

norm92de wrote on 12/01/16 at 19:00:08:

I have no evidence one way or another but I do know that in Europe the manufacturers of some/most cars specify synthetic. And declare that the warranty is void if it is not used. How they could determine what was used I have no idea.

Because of much tighter clearances and the quest for better fuel mileage, most auto manufacturers are requiring super thin oils. Dino oil doesn't come in 5W-20 and even thinner.

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Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine?
Reply #12 - 12/02/16 at 13:56:51

SALB wrote on 12/02/16 at 12:55:52:

norm92de wrote on 12/01/16 at 19:00:08:

I have no evidence one way or another but I do know that in Europe the manufacturers of some/most cars specify synthetic. And declare that the warranty is void if it is not used. How they could determine what was used I have no idea.

Because of much tighter clearances and the quest for better fuel mileage, most auto manufacturers are requiring super thin oils. Dino oil doesn't come in 5W-20 and even thinner.

Here too. My son's GF has a 2015 Subaru Legacy. Book calls for 0W-20 Synthetic. Neither of us had ever heard of 0W-20 till he got the owners book out first time he changed the oil for her.

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norm92de Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1180 El Paso TX Gender:	Re: Checking oil level in cold or hot engine? Reply #13 - 12/02/16 at 20:17:10 That's what my Toyota uses. 10000 mile oil change intervals too! I've had it 5 years and changed the oil 5 times. Expensive stuff, but.
Back to top	2014 S40. Raptor. idle mixture adj.Needle raised one notch. 4000' altitude. Stock jets. Shell Rotella synthetic. IP Logged