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3/30/2022

When to Change Your Motorcycle's Oil

Following the Periodic Maintenance Chart shown in your Owner's Manual and listed below is always best. But understanding why oil needs to be changed is a critical part of maintaining your Indian Motorcycle. Frequent slow speed starts and stops, extended storage periods, high fluctuations in ambient temperatures and prolonged periods of severe heavy throttle use (as defined in your Owner's Manual) can lead to premature oil degradation, affecting engine performance and engine life.

Changing your oil annually or at the recommended mile interval — whichever comes first — will ensure consistent and reliable performance for the life of your motorcycle.

For Chief, Indian Vintage, Indian Springfield, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Challenger models, change your engine oil and filter at the following odometer readings:

  • 500 miles (800 kilometers)
  • 5,000 (8,000)
  • 10,000 (16,000)
  • 15,000 (24,000)
  • 20,000 (32,000)
  • 25,000 (40,000)
  • 30,000 (48,000)
  • 35,000 (56,000)
  • 40,000 (64,000)
  • 45,000 (72,000)
  • 50,000 (80,000)

Continue to change the engine oil and filter every 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers). Refer to the 111/116 Oil Change article for the oil change procedure. 

For Scout and FTR 1200 models, change your engine oil and filter at the following odometer readings:

  • 500 miles (800 kilometers)
  • 10,000 (16,000)
  • 20,000 (32,000)
  • 30,000 (48,000)
  • 40,000 (64,000)
  • 50,000 (80,000)

Continue to change the engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers).

Oil Change Videos

Click on the links below to access step-by-step oil change instructions and videos. 

Indian Challenger Oil Change

Indian Scout Oil Change

Indian Chieftain Oil Change

FTR 1200 Oil Change

For more information, see your authorized Indian Motorcycle Dealer. Find a dealer near you with the Dealer Locator.
Maintenance tips, procedures and specifications can be found in your Owner's Manual.
To find diagrams and replacement part numbers, use the online parts catalog.

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