This article will cover the best oils for different scooter sizes, including 50cc, 125cc, 150cc, and more. Here is the general answer, but read on for more details.
The best oil to use in a scooter is a 100% synthetic oil of a weight specifically designed for the engine size. A 50cc engine typically uses 10W-40, while a 125cc engine benefits more from a 10W-30. Oils are made for various engine sizes, and using the wrong oil can negatively affect performance.
For most 50cc scooters, oil like this type will work very well.
The following table lists some of the best motor oils for different scooter sizes:
| Scooter Size | Best Oil To Use |
|---|---|
| 50cc | 10W-40 motor oil |
| 125cc | 10W-30 motor oil |
| 150cc | 15W-50 motor oil |
| 200 – 250cc | 25W-50 motor oil |
The size of your scooter’s engine should be considered when choosing the best oil for your scooter. Start by determining the correct weight oil to use for the engine size, then focus on finding a decent brand you like.
Best Oil To Use in 50cc Scooters
Opting for the best motor oil is paramount to the well-being of your 50cc scooter. There are many different types and brands of motor oils on the market, but not all are created equal. When it comes to 50cc scooters, I recommend using a 10W-40 motor oil, which is typically light enough to ensure your engine doesn’t get bogged down, but also thick enough to protect against wear and tear.
Here are two of the best oils for 50cc scooters:
YamaLube All Purpose 4 Stroke Oil 10w-40
YamaLube 100% synthetic oil is an excellent option for those looking for the best motor oil for their 50cc scooter. It provides superior protection against wear and tear, helps prevent rust, and doesn’t degrade under extreme heat, making it ideal for use in hot weather conditions.
Royal Purple Max-Cycle SAE 10W-40
Royal Purple is another great option for 50cc scooters. Designed to withstand high temperatures, it’s ideal for use in scooters that regularly see a lot of miles. It’s made with the latest oil technology, including Royal Purple’s proprietary Synerlec additive technology, to help promote long engine life, and provides excellent wear protection. It also helps reduce friction in your scooter’s engine, which helps to maximize power and torque.
Best Oil To Use in 125cc Scooters
If you’re looking for the best motor oil for your 125cc scooter, I recommend using a 10W-30 oil. These oils typically have a lower viscosity, which means they flow more easily and help to keep your engine running cooler.
Here are two of the best oils for 125cc scooters:
Castrol Power 1 4T 10W-30
The Castrol Power 1 4T 10W-30 is an excellent option for those looking to get the most out of their 125cc scooter. This high-quality oil is designed to help engines run at peak performance in all weather conditions and provides superior wear protection. It also helps extend engine life by reducing friction and keeping the engine clean.
Shell Rotella T4 10W-30
Another great option for 125cc scooters is the Shell Rotella T4 10W-30. The oil is made with Shell’s triple protection formula, which helps to protect your engine against wear and tear, oxidation, and corrosion.
It also comes with two additional additives: a rust inhibitor and a detergent dispersant—these help keep the oil clean and working at peak performance.
Best Oil To Use in 150cc Scooters
When it comes to high-performance scooters, such as those with a 150cc engine, there are even more factors to consider when choosing the best motor oil for your vehicle. I recommend using 10W-40 or 15W-50 oil for these types of scooters.
Here are two of the best oils for 150cc scooters:
Castrol Actevo XTra 4T 10W-40
Castrol Actevo is a great option for those looking to get the most power and performance from their high-performance scooter. It’s a synthetic blend designed to provide superior protection against wear and tear, as well as extended engine life. Plus, it helps to reduce friction and improve fuel economy in your scooter.
Motul 300V 4T 15W-50
For 150cc scooters, the Motul 15W-50 option is an excellent choice. It’s 100% synthetic and designed to provide maximum power and performance in all weather conditions. It also comes with a special additive package that helps protect your engine against wear and tear, extending its life.
Best Oil To Use in 200-250cc Scooters
When choosing the best motor oil for a 200-250cc scooter, I recommend using a 20W-50 oil. These scooters typically have a higher compression ratio than smaller scooters, so the thicker oil will help protect the engine from wear and tear.
Here are two of the best oils for 200-250cc scooters:
Motul 3000 4T 20W50
Motul makes a high-quality oil that will help keep your scooter engine running smoothly. It has excellent shear stability and can help prevent wear on the various parts of your engine. Also, it’s formulated to resist oxidation, which means it will stay fresh and give your engine optimal performance over time.
Castrol Power RS 4T 10W40
Another excellent choice for a 200-250cc scooter is the Castrol Power RS 4T 10W40 oil. The fully synthetic oil has been designed specifically for high-performance four-stroke motorcycle engines.
It has excellent wear protection properties and will help keep your engine running smoothly. Additionally, the oil has outstanding thermal stability, which means it won’t break down under extreme heat conditions.
Caveat: In most cases, it’s best to use the oil that your scooter manufacturer recommends. So, check your owner’s manual before you buy any oil. In addition, it would be best to consider the weather conditions where you live, as well as the type of riding that you do. For the best results, consult with a professional mechanic or scooter specialist before making your purchase.
What Oil Do You Put in a 4-Stroke Moped?
You put 10w-40 oil in a 4-stroke moped since it offers better lubrication at both low and high temperatures, which is vital for a 4-stroke engine. Generally, the oil you use should meet or exceed the JASO MA standard to ensure the oil has been tested and approved for use in 4-stroke engines.
Essentially, an oil with the JASO MA standard meets the requirements and conditions for a 4-stroke moped to run correctly. You can usually find many quality oils that meet these specifications online or at your local auto parts store. Just be sure to ask an associate for help if you’re unsure which oil to purchase.
What Kind of Oil Does a 2-Stroke Scooter Take?
A 2 stroke scooter takes a certain kind of oil specifically designed for use in two-stroke engines known as 2T (two-stroke) oil. It typically has a lower viscosity than 4T (four-stroke) oil, making it thinner and easier to burn, and special additives to protect engines against wear and tear.
Is Synthetic Oil Good for Scooters?
Synthetic oil is a good choice for scooters, as it offers excellent protection against wear, corrosion, and oxidation. Notably, this is why many high-performance scooters use it. Synthetic oil also maintains viscosity at varying temperatures, which is vital for optimized performance in all weather.
I recommend using synthetic oil with a high-quality base stock like PAO (poly-alpha-olefins). This type of base stock allows the oil to maintain its properties and performance over a wide range of temperatures.
Can You Use Car Oil in a Scooter?
You can use car oil in a scooter in a pinch if scooter oil isn’t available, but it’s not ideal, especially not for prolonged use. Car oil is designed for gasoline engines and may fail to provide scooters the level of protection needed for optimal performance, causing damage to the engine over time.
How Often Do You Change the Oil on a 50cc Scooter?
You should change the oil in a 50cc scooter as often as 1,500 – 2,000 miles (900 – 1,250 km), ideally. For new scooters, you should change the oil after the first 20 miles. This ensures the removal of any metal shavings or other contaminants that could cause damage to the engine.
Be sure to check your scooter’s owner’s manual for specific oil change recommendations. Some manufacturers may recommend changing the oil more or less often, depending on the model of the scooter.
Here’s a video that may come in handy if you need help changing the oil in a 50cc scooter:
Final Thoughts
When you own a scooter, it’s essential to use the correct oil and maintain the engine regularly. In general, I recommend using a high-quality oil that meets or exceeds the JASO MA standard to ensure the best performance.
In addition, check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations on how often to change the oil in your scooter. If you’re still unsure of what oil to use, it’s best to speak with a trusted mechanic or automotive supply store associate for help.
For more, check out How Much Does a Used Motorcycle Cost? | 9 Factors to Consider.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.