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BigChris99
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« on: January 18, 2015, 10:15:33 PM » |
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Dumb question I know, but Honda calls for an exact 3.9 quarts for an oil change, why can't I just put an even 4 quarts in and go for a ride? Oil comes in a gallon jug aka 4 quarts. If you all do put in 3.9 quarts in your bikes, how do you measure 1/10th of a gallon out of a gallon jug? Does anyone know how many oz's that is? What do you do with that leftover oil in such a small amount? Put in the lawnmower??? Snowmobile?
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In 5th gear.... looking for 6th
VRCC # 35023 IBA # 7849
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2015, 11:20:09 PM » |
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I believe the crankcase takes an even gallon, but in an over abundance of caution Honda put 3.9 qts in the manual because the average Joe does not get all the oil out at oil changes (esp if cold), and they did not want anyone overfilling. Of course the dipstick is not exactly a scientific measuring device (and many do not use it on perfect level ground), and most try to go for the center line or a bit above (and a bit below would be OK too).
My first few changes with the gallon jug of Shell T6, I dumped most in, then somewhat painstakingly topped up until I was right at the centerline of the dip (running the bike to fill the new filter), and I always had just a little left over. Later, I took to leaning the HOT bike right for a minute and bumping the starter, and then it took the whole gallon, so that is what I do every time now, and I am on or just a hair over the dip centerline every time.
I suspect that even if you had 1/10 qt remaining after draining the oil, and added a full gallon anyway, the engine or seals would not blow up, and the level on the dip would not be unsafely high above centerline.
And, I think putting 3.9 qts in the manual was also a psyops method of forcing people to pay close(er) attention to what they were doing at oil change time.
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« Last Edit: January 18, 2015, 11:32:13 PM by Jess from VA »
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BigChris99
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« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2015, 12:21:42 AM » |
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Thank you sir. That made complete sense to me. I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out to answer my question. I'll use your method for my future oil changes. 4 quarts it is. Ride safe.
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In 5th gear.... looking for 6th
VRCC # 35023 IBA # 7849
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2015, 03:51:04 AM » |
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I drain the old out, swap the filter, and pour 4 quarts back in.
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Trike Man
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« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2015, 04:54:29 AM » |
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I always put 4 Qts in mine. No issues.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2015, 05:36:47 AM » |
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manuals tend to be scientific. 4 qts here too for 12 years, no issues.
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Andy Cote
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« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2015, 06:13:28 AM » |
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Metric to U.S. conversion and lack of comprehension of significant digits.
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2015 Goldwing, basic black
Previously: 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, 1997 Valkyrie Standard, 1988 GL1500, GL1200 Standard, GL1200 Interstate and many other Hondas
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salty1
Member
Posts: 2359
"Flyka"
Spokane, WA or Tucson, AZ
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« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2015, 06:14:29 AM » |
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Dumb question I know, but Honda calls for an exact 3.9 quarts for an oil change, why can't I just put an even 4 quarts in and go for a ride? Oil comes in a gallon jug aka 4 quarts. If you all do put in 3.9 quarts in your bikes, how do you measure 1/10th of a gallon out of a gallon jug? Does anyone know how many oz's that is? What do you do with that leftover oil in such a small amount? Put in the lawnmower??? Snowmobile?
One tenth of a gallon?   Sorry, we know what you meant!  I put in 4qts too.  |
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My rides: 1998 GL1500C, 2000 GL 1500CF,2006 GL 1800 3A   |
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DK
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« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2015, 06:36:03 AM » |
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Remember to insert dipstick only to threads when checking oil.
This is counter-intuitive for me because most dipsticks are sliders requiring full insertion.
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Machinery has a mysterious soul and a mind of its own.
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Pete
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« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2015, 06:57:51 AM » |
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32 oz per quart, 946 cc per quart
1/10 quart = 3.2 oz
3.2 oz = 94.6 CCs
not much
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old2soon
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« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2015, 07:44:43 AM » |
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Using a larger after market oil filter instead of the O E M Honda filter will take care of that pesky 94.6CCs. Been using the full gallon since I've had mine. RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Farther
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« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2015, 09:12:24 AM » |
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I use a gallon jug too and I don't remember the last time I check the oil.
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Thanks,
~Farther
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2015, 09:33:06 AM » |
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243K+ and MGM has always got 4 gts put back in............
No burns any oil and I don't think I have checked it after a fill except to see that the oil did make it to the crankcase.
My truck is the same way. 6 qts. and he is off to the hills for 5,500 miles, then change it again.
Chevy trike, now this is a different story. Calls for 5 qts, but it gets 7 qts. bigger oil pan by 2 qts. Have to check it before every ride as it does use a tad bit of oil. Built it that way. It will take a qt every 1,000 miles. If I'm racing it, like at the drag strip, 3 passes on the strip = 1 qt. But, it is twisting some fairly high RPM's.
The video that is on the son's Facebook sight is a straight out the door in drive and throttle on the floor. Now, I pull it into low, take off and somewhere between 6 & 7,000 R's I bang 2nd, if I hold it in 2nd it will cross the 1/4 line at 7,100, let off and a trail of blue smoke will follow it down the strip to the turn off. It will turn in the high 13's no matter which way I work the transmission.
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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BigChris99
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« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2015, 10:12:18 AM » |
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Thanks for all of the input. 4 quarts it is.
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In 5th gear.... looking for 6th
VRCC # 35023 IBA # 7849
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16627
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2015, 02:43:58 PM » |
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Specifications tend to be presented in exact figures. They need to be for the protection of the manufacturer.
Oil fills are not needed to be so precisely exact. Your oil system will work fine if you are ten percent above or below the specification. Gallon jugs are likely not as precise as you may think. I would be careful not to overfill by a half quart, but a tenth of a quart (2.5% of the specification) is not in the danger zone.
Honestly, unless you set the jug up to drain for a long, long time I'd be surprised if you get much more than 3.9 quarts from a gallon jug anyway.
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