Everyone can agree that engine oil is the most important factor in determining the performance of the engine in any given locomotive, be it a two wheeler or a four wheeler.

Engine oil, if selected appropriately, will ensure that the impurities such as carbon, soot deposits and so on, are kept at bay. It helps in lubricating the moving parts of the engine and helps to keep them running smoothly while minimizing friction and engine component wear. It also draws heat away from lubricated engine components before the oil is cooled via air in the sump before being recirculated to the engine, thus keeping the engine temperature constant. All these roles of Engine Oil ensure to maintain a healthy Engine and also to increase the life of the engine.

There are various factors on which the selection of the engine oil depends. Depending on the base oil type, engine oils are mainly classified into 3 types -synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral. Lets talk in brief about each one of them:

• Synthetic oils are made from chemically modified Mineral Oils. Most modern engine oils available in the market are synthetic. Fully synthetic oils are purer than even mineral oils. It is the most expensive type of oil available out there and is highly recommended for high performance engines.
• Semi synthetic oils, as the name suggests, means that a small amount of synthetic oil is blended with mineral oil. It is a good option for those who want extra performance from the oil without having to pay high for the synthetic oil.
• Mineral oils are a product of refined crude oil, which is made after removing the contaminants. Due to this, their performance is on the lower side, as compared to synthetic oils.

Once you are pretty familiar with the three basic types of engine oils, you need to know how to read through the fine prints on the oil can and differentiate the grades :

• Engine Oil Grades : You must have seen oil cans printed with a bunch of letters and numbers like 10W40 Oil and so on. Here, the W stands for winter and the number before it is the viscosity index. The lower the number is, the better the oil is for engines that would require to have cold starts. The number that comes after the W is anindication for the oil to withstand its properties. The higher the number, the better the oil is at staying consistent at higher temperatures.
• Viscosity : Viscosity is basically an index which indicates the consistency of the oil. A lower viscosity oil will obviously flow faster and freerer. Choosing an oil with wrong viscosity may lead to the metal grinding on metal within the engine and thus the efficiency is lost.
• Additives : The addition of additives in the oil is a great way to remove debris and neutralize acidity. They are a catalyst to the oils and helps to better help cool and lubricate the engine.

Keeping the above points in mind, here is a list of the best engine oils suited for Yamaha and Bajaj bikes service :

• Motul 3100 4T : It is a high performance semi-synthetic engine oil. This engine oil is formulated to provide superior engine protection.It is compatible with most of the bajaj pulsar bikes.
• Castrol Power1 : Advanced premium quality oil with synthetic technology. It maintains the performance of the bike during long rides and in high temperatures.
• Liqui Moly : Mineral based engine oil. It offers excellent performance of the engine. This oil is best choice for Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSI.

It is recommended to get a change of engine oils for your bikes at Bajaj Home services and Yamaha services. By doing so, you get your first change free of cost at the first service itself. As a general rule, engine oil should be changed every 3000 to 5000 kilometers