CHECKING OIL THROUGH THE INSPECTION WINDOW

The easiest way to check motorcycle engine oil is through an inspection window. If your bike has one, checking your motorcycle oil is easy with our simple guide.

Checking oil through an inspection window

Checking motorcycle oil through an inspection window

If your bike is reasonably modern, it will often have an inspection window, low down on one side of the engine. You may have to get close to the ground to see inside properly so you can get an idea of the level and the condition of your oil.

The inspection window will have marks at the top and the bottom and your engine oil level should be somewhere between the two. If the level is above or below these lines, you must act immediately to either drain a little oil away or to top up your oil level

If your oil is dark brown or black and you can't see through it, or you can see sludge deposits, it is definitely time for an oil and filter change.

Alternatively, if you can see metal particles in the oil, this can be an early indication of engine problems ahead; while if the oil looks at all milky, it can often indicate a coolant leak. In either of these two cases, you should consult a mechanic or repair shop to rule out or deal with serious problems as soon as possible.

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How often to check motorcycle oil

How often should you check you motorcycle engine oil? Our answer will always be to check it as often as possible. That’s because, even the best motorcycle engine oil won’t protect your engine if the levels become too low. Even if your bike doesn’t burn lots of oil, a few hot days and some long rides on your motorcycle can burn off more oil than you might anticipate.

How to check motorcycle engine oil

It's very important to check the level and condition of motorcycle engine oil on a regular basis. The good news is that this is an easy task, whether your motorcycle has an oil inspection window or a dipstick. There are just a few easy rules that you need to follow.

Checking motorcycle oil with a dipstick

It's important to check motorcycle oil at regular intervals in order to maintain your bike's performance and safety. Fortunately, this is an easy task even if your bike has a dipstick rather than an inspection window. Just follow our simple guidelines to assess your motorcycle oil level and condition in minutes.

Topping up motorcycle engine oil

Most bikes burn off a little engine oil, and it's important to check the level and condition of motorcycle engine oil regularly. It's also essential to maintain the right level of engine oil by topping up with the correct grade of motorcycle oil whenever your inspection window or dipstick check says your oil level is low.

How to check motorcycle brake fluid

Motorcycle brake fluid or motorcycle brake oil as it’s sometimes known, is a highly engineered fluid that is able withstand extreme temperatures and protect the entire brake system. It’s vital to check the level of your brake fluid regularly. Follow our simple guide on how to do this properly.

Recycling used motorcycle oil

It may be a natural product, but waste oil can be incredibly harmful to the environment if not disposed of correctly. Castrol is committed to recycling oil to the greatest possible extent, and we encourage every valued customer to play their part by learning how to make sure their used motorcycle oil is safely recycled.