Annual oil change vs. maintenance interval schedule

[Hypnos]

I live in Canada, so unfortunately I cannot ride all year round. On average I may not drive more than 3,000 to 4,000 Km annually.

Should I do an oil and filter change at least once a year, or should I wait until the next maintenance check is due (I think at 7,500 Km)? Is it enough that I add oil if needed in the meantime?

If I do an oil change every year, should it be at the end of the season, when I get it ready for winter, or at the beginning, at Spring time?

Thank you.

[j.d.b.]

I live in Michigan and I change oil seasonally, usually at the end of the season before storage.

[SteveP]

End of season would seem best...gets rid of any contaminates and coats internal engine parts with fresh oil that should reduce corrosion over the long winter months.

[gn2]

Should I do an oil and filter change at least once a year

Yes.
When the scooter is in long term storage, do not start it and let it idle without riding it.
Change the oil after the winter just before you start riding again.

[waybar]

My service manual says change the oil at 600 miles (1,000 km) initially, and then every 8000 miles (12,800 km) OR 12 months. So if you don't put that many miles on each year, you should still change it every 12 months.

[you you]

Should I do an oil and filter change at least once a year

Yes.
When the scooter is in long term storage, do not start it and let it idle without riding it.

I've done this for the best part of 40 years without any problems

[trigg123]

Definitely change annually,and remember new oil never hurt anything. And if you do it yourself. The cost is very low.

[Jge64]

It's so damn cheap & easy to change, I'll override the manual and change it every 1000 miles...which for me, will be every couple months.... It's such a small capacity, oil gets dirty faster than a 4/6/8 cyl car engine, particularity since all my riding is urban stop and go.

[iceman]

1000 miles seems excessive, maybe 3000 or so if you really wanted to. Synthetic oil is supposed to last 2-3 times longer than non synthetic so 5000 miles is nothing.

[gn2]

Changing the oil at 1000 miles would be like going grocery shopping then throwing 80% of your purchases in the bin before you even get home.

[relic]

For the first time I'm going to agree with GN2
don't over service

[Jge64]

At a quart, i dont care, 1000 miles for me....doing some recalculating, thats about 6-8 months for me so its not really too distant from the 1 yr recc in the manual.

[DAB]

Another thing to consider is the engine alloy is soft and you would not be the first person to bugger the drain plug thread.

[Jge64]

Nope...hoping my fumoto valve fits.....no thread problems.....

[you you]

Nope...hoping my fumoto valve fits.....no thread problems.....

I thought of this but don't you think it'll be a bit exposed to damage?

[Jge64]

Test fit shows exhaust lower, stay tuned ....see also stahlbus valves.....