Oils
What is the meaning of oil?
Oil - The most important factor or fluid in any machine or vehicle. We can say life saver for moto or machine. We usually pour some kind of oil in our motor (motorcycle or vehicle) for what? Well off course for lubrication, cooling, efficiency, anti-rust agent, protection etc. etc.
What exactly oil does in the motor is now known to all. But we don't know what kind of a oil we are pouring in the vehicle for example the grade, viscosity, API standards, SAE, JASO, MA, MA2, 20W40, 20W50, 10W30 etc. etc.
So let's start with
1. API- American Petroleum Institute
2. JASO- The Japanese Automotive Standards Organization
3. "S" grade stands for Petrol vehicles. (Spark Ignition)
4. "C" grade stands for Diesel vehicles. (Compression)
5. "W" for winter
6. Multi grade
7. Single grade
8. EP - Extra Pressure
9. SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers
10. MA - Grade for Wet Clutch type vehicles (HIGH FRICTION VEHICLES. Non Clutch Slipping Oil)
11. MA2- next version of MA (HIGH FRICTION VEHICLES Non Clutch Slipping Oil)
12. MB - LOW FRICTION VEHICLES (NOT RECOMMENDED. Clutch Slipping Oil)
[MA or MA2 means you are guaranteed that the clutch won't slip]
Multi grade Oil - Suitable for both vehicles like Diesel and petrol/LPG/CNG.
Single Grade Oil - Suitable for petrol or diesel, depending on oil grade.
EP- Extra Pressure, suitable for only gearbox. This grade type is not suitable as engine oil. But not suitable for two stroke engine gear box either. In two stroke motorcycle regular engine oil is recommended as per the company recommendation.
Petrol Engine Grades: - SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM.
Diesel Engine Grades: - CA, CB, CC, CD, CD-II, CE, CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, CJ-4.
We have all petrol engine motorcycles, so we prefer and company refer only "S" grade. In that, now days we prefer API/SAE-SL/SM (JASO MA or MA2). SM is good with improved oxidation resistance, improved deposit protection, better wear protection, and better low temperature performance.
Some of the oils directly coming from abroad in India for our Indian motorcycles. Remember one thing in abroad types of vehicles are different than Indian motorcycles in quality & type. Those oils are suitable for higher CC engines but not for Indian motorcycle for sure. Some of the vehicles in abroad are dry clutch so for those motorcycles company recommend different oil. But here we have maximum wet clutch motorcycle which may not be suitable.
That means company recommended oil is best. At the most we can buy slightly higher grade in the same category for example if the oil grade is >> API SL (JASO MA) which is recommended by company and in the market if the oil company introduces new oil which may be higher than that for example API SM (JASO MA2), then we can buy but not different than this grade for sure. Using of wrong oil grade can cause clutch slippage.
Some times mechanics pour oil which is suitable for diesel engines and not suitable for petrol engines so ensure the grade is starting from "S" (e.g. SC,SM). If mechanic is using wrong oil then help him to understand the grade type or else don't pour in the engine. The total grade stream is important please do not go only on 20W40 or 10W30 grade type please read and understand the grade type.
For understanding please refer the description of Oil grades.
1. - 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30,10W-40,20W-50
2. - 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40.
3.5W-20, 5W-30.
The above description describes that some of the oil grade starts becoming thick after few minus degrees and the same starts becoming thin after some positive temperature.
In the same grade we get few more different type of oils for example mineral, semi synthetic and synthetic.
Q. What is the meaning of mineral?
A. Mineral oils are based on oil that comes from dear old Mother Earth which has been refined by companies. In simple language NATURAL OIL (Base oil is same for or grades oils)
Q. What is the meaning of Synthetic oil?
A. Synthetic oils are entirely concocted by chemists wearing white lab coats in oil company laboratories. In simple language ARTIFICIAL OIL
Q. What is the meaning of Semi Synthetic Oil?
A. Semi-synthetic oil, which is a blend of the two. It is safe to mix the different types, but it's wiser to switch completely to a new type rather than mixing.
In simple language mixing of MINERAL AND ARTIFICIAL OIL.
It is good if we use flushing liquids before our mechanic friend pour new oil. Usage of flushing liquid is advisable once or twice in a year, depends on kilometer coverage. Do not use kerosene, diesel or petrol as a flushing liquid for removing carbon. It may damage the bearing surface and its oil filming. Please read all the intrstructions before using flushing agents.
Do not mix mineral oil with synthetic or semi synthetic when we top up the oil level. New grade oils have got better detergents to remove the carbon content. So try to use new grades rather than old. Do not use car engine oils for motorcycle purpose. That may harm the motor. Car engine oils content with friction modifiers. Two wheeler engine oils - specifically four stroke engines with a wet clutch multi plate setup do not need oils with friction modifiers. Friction Modifiers can increase or decrease the friction, but most of the modifiers used are to reduce friction. If we use friction reducer then the clutch will start slipping fast at high rpm or at the time or heavy load and high torque.
Soon we will hear about ILSAC grades:- International Lubrication Standard Advisory Committee
Due to some limitation I can't publish all oil grade charts. In the market there are lots of Oil companies, so giving full application chart as per the motorcycle is not possible and grades keep changing, but soon or later I will try to publish it.



(because its 40 at 100c)

Flexiblity of oil to maintain a specific level of density under wide operating temparatures or viscosity=ability to free flow?

Comment