Do you know that there are different standards and qualities of engine oil available in the market for vehicles? NO!!!…then read on….  Probably, while you read, you can bring in the oil container that you use for your bike. Now, check out for the oil code in the container. Bingo!

Your oil code can read an S, API, SL, SM, JASO, MA or MA2. The S code is used for petrol vehicles. Most commonly used oil grades are API, SL, SM, JASO, MA and MA2. Of all, SM performs best due to oxidation resistance. It also gives low temperature performance. MA and MA2 are grades for wet clutch type vehicles. MA2 is the next version of MA. Also, MA and MA2 are used in high friction vehicles. There is another grade of oil, MB. It is used in low friction vehicles. (API stands for American Petroleum Institute and JASO stands for Japanese Automotive Standards Organization. You can also come across SAE that stands for Society of Automotive Engineers)

While S is used for petrol vehicles, C is used for diesel vehicles. (Grades that are used for petrol engines: SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM. Grades that are used for diesel engines: CA, CB, CC, CD, CD-II, CE, CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, CI-4, and CJ-4). If your friend uses a multi grade oil, that is fine. It can be used for vehicles using diesel, petrol, LPG, and CNG.

Use EP or Extra Pressure oil for gearbox applications. DO NOT use it as engine oil. It is also not suited for gear boxes of two stroke engines. In two stroke engines, use engine oil recommended by the manufacturer.

Now what about imported oils? You probably should control your desire to use it. Just as you use a face lotion per your skin tone, you should also vouch on the oil that you use for your bike. Note that Indian bikes have wet clutch systems and foreign bikes usually have dry clutch systems. Foreign bikes are also made for their riding conditions. Normally, you will find higher cc engines in foreign bikes when compared to Indian bikes. This makes the imported oils best suit the foreign bikes. So, the best way to pamper your bike is to use the oil recommended by your manufacturer.

Also, read complete instructions before using the oil. Read information on the temperature that should be maintained for the oil. Unsuitable environment can deteriorate the oil. Read on how to use flushing agents. They are to be used once or twice a year. The usage also depends on the distance covered. Using undocumented oils as flushing agents may damage the bearing surface and oil filming. (Keep your hands away from kerosene, diesel or petrol.)

Ah! you should also never bother to mix mineral, synthetic, and semi synthetic oil to top up the oil level. Did you ask what these oils are? OK, mineral oil is natural oil (taken from earth). Synthetic oil is developed in chemical laboratories and semi-synthetic oil is a mixture of natural and artificial oils.

Use new grade oils as they have better detergents to remove the carbon content. DO NOT use car engine oils on your love. This may injure her brain, I mean the motor! You should also check if your kind of engine requires oil with friction reducers. The clutch may slip on unwanted use of such oil.

For a good living, we all need healthy food. Same for your bike! Keep it healthy by nourishing it with healthy engine oil. It is best to use engine oil recommended by your manufacturer.