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How Deleterious Is It to Mix Oil Brands?

Poll: Mixing oil ok?
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Yes, of course
88.89%
 8 88.89%
Not if you want to preserve your engine
11.11%
 1 11.11%
Total 9 vote(s) 100%
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How Deleterious Is It to Mix Oil Brands?
mojoguzzi Offline
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#1
06-15-2021, 02:20 PM
I'm on a long trip...and I notice my engine oil is low. Can I use another brand of 5W40 synthetic oil to top off my RS?
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Grumpy Goat Offline
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#2
06-15-2021, 02:31 PM
Absolutely. I don't even stop to think about that and all my engines, motorcycle, car or truck have not suffered for it. All I do is ensure its the correct weight and SAE rating or better than the SL that is in my manual and I am happy.
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Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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MrVvrroomm Offline
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#3
06-15-2021, 02:54 PM
You'll be just fine
I ride '19 R1250GSA, '23 KTM Duke 890 R, '23 Yamaha Xmax 300
My wife rides '20 R1250GS, '22 KTM Duke 890 GP, '19 Yamaha Xmax 300
Formerly proud Granite Gray '16 R1200RS x2 owners
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runnerhiker Offline
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#4
06-15-2021, 03:07 PM
I think any engine oil will work for your one time situation: syn, non syn, any SAE weight. They will all lubricate.
2020 R1250 RS
2022 K1600 GT
2024 S1000 XR
Niwot CO USA
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Grumpy Goat Offline
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#5
06-15-2021, 04:03 PM
(06-15-2021, 03:07 PM)runnerhiker Wrote: I think any engine oil will work for your one time situation: syn, non syn, any SAE weight. They will all lubricate.

Yes, I agree that for an occasional top up mixing a little oil of a different viscosity and different type (synthetic vs dino) would also not harm the engine.
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Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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mojoguzzi Offline
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#6
06-15-2021, 07:07 PM
All good--sorry to be so nelly Wink
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Duckbubbles Offline
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#7
06-16-2021, 08:01 AM
ANY oil is better than NO oil. The RIGHT oil is better than ANY oil.
My experience with the liquid cooled boxers is that they really don't burn oil, or leak it.

Frank
'23 R1250RS, 9000 mi. 1 yr., '03 R1100S BCR #6/200, '85 K100/1100RS- 38 yrs. 331,000 mi., '17R1200RS- 51,054 mi. (gone), '16 R1200RS- 28,322 mi. (gone), '11 R1200RT-30,000 mi. (gone), '05 R1200ST-58,000 mi. (gone), '96 Ducati 900SS/SP-89,000 mi. (gone), 560K+ BMW miles
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Lee Offline
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#8
06-16-2021, 05:45 PM
(06-16-2021, 08:01 AM)Duckbubbles Wrote: ANY oil is better than NO oil.

Pretty sure that's in the manual but I don't remember which page Smile
Lee
Iowa, USA
2022 R1250RS White Sport

Past BMWs: 2016 R1200RS x 2,  2011 K1300S x 2,  2003 K1200RS x 2,  1991 K75S x 2,  1987 K75T x 2, 1984 R100RT
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Grumpy Goat Offline
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#9
06-17-2021, 09:55 AM
   
Regards,
Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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mspratz Offline
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#10
06-19-2021, 10:20 AM
Don't use automotive oil, the additives may damage the coatings of the internal engine parts. In any auto parts store (Autozone, O'Reilly's, etc.) ask for Motorcycle Oil. They rarely have 5w-40, but I have found they always have 10w-40 four stroke motorcycle oil, with the BMW-specified API SL/JASO MA2 rating.
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