SYN3 ® Synthetic Oil FAQ
- What are the key benefits to using SYN3?
- I keep hearing this product referred to as SYN3. What does that mean?
- Is SYN3 a full-synthetic or a semi-synthetic oil?
- Who makes or blends SYN3?
- Why is Harley-Davidson introducing a synthetic oil, when for years dealers and customers have been told not to use a synthetic oil in Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles?
- What kind of testing was done on SYN3?
- How many miles have been put on motorcycles using SYN3?
- Will standard HD-360 oil be replaced by SYN3?
- What vehicle power trains and power train cavities can be filled with SYN3?
- Can SYN3 be used in Shovelhead engines, 4-speed Big Twin transmissions, 4-speed XL transmissions/primaries, or early Shovelhead 5-speed transmissions?
- How can SYN3 withstand being used in the transmission?
- Will the use of SYN3 lengthen my service intervals?
- If this product is a high performance lubricant, why would my service intervals not be extended?
- Does SYN3 help with anti-wear or roller bearing wear?
- A common concern with other available synthetic oils is that roller bearings may "skate" or "float" in the bearing race, and not actually rotate as designed. How does SYN3 prevent this from happening?
- Will I still need an oil cooler on my high performance engine, or does SYN3 cool faster?
- Can a brand new motorcycle have its fluids drained and refilled with SYN3 without voiding the warranty?
- Do I need to completely drain the cavities that are going to be filled with SYN3?
- Since it is not recommended to mix OEM fluids with SYN3, how do you suggest a person drains his vehicle to completely remove all OEM fluids?
- Should I put a can of oil additive in with each oil change?
- If I'm on the road and realize I need to add a quart of engine oil, and SYN3 is not available, what should I use?
- Can a quart of regular oil be added to the primary chain case or transmission if SYN3 is not available?
What are the key benefits to using SYN3?
SYN3 is a multi-use oil, meaning that it can be used in the engine, primary chain case, and transmission. Because a person no longer has to juggle 2 or even 3 different fluids, the use of SYN3 is significanly more convenient than standard lubricants. SYN3 is also designed to offer better wear protection at high temperatures, improved deposit control for a cleaner running engine, reduced oil consumption, high temperature detergency, and overall performance. [Top]
I keep hearing this product referred to as SYN3. What does that mean?
SYN3 is a synthetic product that has three uses, and is also produced from a proprietary three-synthetic basestock formula. [Top]
Is SYN3 a full-synthetic or a semi-synthetic oil?
SYN3 is a full synthetic lubricant. It is the general practice in the oil industry that a true synthetic is formulated with Group IV PAO basestocks and is a true synthetic. [Top]
Who makes or blends SYN3?
SYN3 is a proprietary blend, exclusively custom-blended for Harley-Davidson. [Top]
Why is Harley-Davidson introducing a synthetic oil, when for years dealers and customers have been told not to use a synthetic oil in Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles?
The Motor Company has never supported the use of synthetic products in our vehicles because there has never been any test validations completed on the numerous formulations in Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles. This product has been exclusively designed for Harley-Davidson and is the only synthetic product tested and certified by Harley-Davidson engineering for use in Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles. [Top]
What kind of testing was done on SYN3?
Over three years of labratory bench testing, dynamometer testing under accelerated conditions, open road vehicle durability testing, closed course durability testing, and wear deposit rating analysis. [Top]
How many miles have been put on motorcycles using SYN3?
In addition to the bench testing that was completed during the formulation process, additional testing can be broken down as follows:
- Engine Testing:
- More than 230,000 miles of durability testing and 81 hours of dyno testing.
- Transmission Testing:
- More than 200,000 miles of durability testing and 430 hours of dyno testing.
- Clutch Testing:
- More than 170,000 miles of clutch testing.
[Top]
Will standard HD-360 oil be replaced by SYN3?
No, it is The Motor Company's intention to provide customers an alternative lubricant product from Harley-Davidson, a lubricant specifically formulated for high-performance engines and hot climate applications. SYN3 is an alternative lubricant product that will help keep those engines running smoothly. [Top]
What vehicle power trains and power train cavities can be filled with SYN3?
SYN3 can be used in the engine, primary chain case, and transmission in all Evolution XL, Evolution 1340, Twin Cam 88 (all displacements), Revolution, and Buell models. [Top]
Can SYN3 be used in Shovelhead engines, 4-speed Big Twin transmissions, 4-speed XL transmissions/primaries, or early Shovelhead 5-speed transmissions?
Harley-Davidson has not tested SYN3 in these engine, primary, and transmission configurations. There are a multitude of tests that must be completed before a lubricant can be certified for use in Harley-Davidson engines, primary chain cases, and transmissions. Many of these tests require that the components be brand new and then be dimensionally inspected (blueprinted) before testing begins. These steps must be done in order to measure the wear on each part.
We were not able to procure the required quantity of new Shovelhead engines, Big Twin 4-speed transmissions, and pre-Evolution XL engine assemblies; therefore we were not able to conduct all of the testing required for validation. SYN3 is approved for '86 – '90 4-speed engines and transmissions. [Top]
How can SYN3 withstand being used in the transmission?
The viscosity modifier in this product has improved shear stability. [Top]
Will the use of SYN3 lengthen my service intervals?
No, we recommend that you still follow your owner's manual for the proper service schedule for your vehicle. [Top]
If this product is a high performance lubricant, why would my service intervals not be extended?
While SYN3 will help reduce the amount of impurities flowing to your engine, no lubricant product can reduce fuel dilution (this happens every time you start your motoryccle). As a result, the regular service schedule is recommended for optimum performance of your motorcycle.
Lubricants begin to break down the moment the engine is started. The long molecular strands of the lubricant begin to be sheared between the faces of gears, pistons, and other moving parts. SYN3 was tested to confirm that the lubricant provides the protection required for the engine, primary chain case, and transmission for the drain intervals specified in the Owner's Manual. [Top]
Does SYN3 help with anti-wear or roller bearing wear?
SYN3 contains anti-wear formulations to provide the proper lubricity for all moving parts. [Top]
A common concern with other available synthetic oils is that roller bearings may “skate” or “float” in the bearing race, and not actually rotate as designed. How does SYN3 prevent this from happening?
SYN3 was formulated to provide improved high temperature stability, shear stability, proper lubricity for anti-wear (without roller bearing "skate" or "float") and maintain the coefificient of friction for proper clutch operation without clutch slippage.
Harley-Davidson does not recommend any lubricants that have not been tested and approved by Harley-Davidson engineering because we do not control the formulations. Lubricants are reformulated frequently to meet changing API ratings. API ratings are developed and tested for use in water-cooled automotive engines and diesel applications. There is no API rating classification for motorcycle engines. Harley-Davidson, in close partnership with our suppliers, analyzed available petrochemical technology and developed a custom-blended candidate fluid that could be used in all three cavities of a Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle. [Top]
Will I still need an oil cooler on my high performance engine, or does SYN3 cool faster?
One of the benefits of the Harley-Davidson selected Premium Quality 3 Synthetic Basestocks, Group IV PAO, and additive package is that they offer improved lubrication and cooling. SYN3 has been tested at temperatures up to 300° Fahrenheit, for extended periods of time with no significant breakdown. If someone is interested in running an oil cooler on their Harley-Davidson, a Genuine Motor Accessory oil cooler is recommended for optimal performance. [Top]
Can a brand new motorcycle have its fluids drained and refilled with SYN3 without voiding the warranty?
Yes, this product can be used as a first fill upon delivery of a new motorcycle. The formula is approved by Harley-Davidson for use in all stages of engine life and is not detrimental to the engine break-in cycle. [Top]
Do I need to completely drain the cavities that are going to be filled with SYN3?
Yes, we do not recommend mixing SYN3 with other lubricants. [Top]
Since it is not recommended to mix OEM fluids with SYN3, how do you suggest a person drains his vehicle to completely remove all OEM fluids?
During servicing, a residual amount of fluid will remain in the sumps. It is not required to "flush" out the residual fluids. Testing was completed on this scenario, and SYN3 is approved for replacement of factory fills. [Top]
Should I put a can of oil additive in with each oil change?
No. SYN3 is blended with an additive package already included, and other additives are not needed and may not be compatible with SYN3. In fact, oil additives may actually dilute the SYN3 formulation. [Top]
If I’m on the road and realize I need to add a quart of engine oil, and SYN3 is not available, what should I use?
If SYN3 is not available and addition of motor oil is required, the first choice would be to add HD-360 SAE 20W50 (part #99816-2050/00QT) to the SYN3 for engine lubrication. Although HD-360 oil is compatible with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids be changed as soon as possible. If HD-360 is not available, the second choice would be to add an acceptable diesel engine oil as listed in the Owner's Manual, and, again, we suggest that the mixture of fluids be changed as soon as possible. Do not add diesel engine oil to the primary chain case or transmission. [Top]
Can a quart of regular oil be added to the primary chain case or transmission if SYN3 is not available?
If SYN3 is not available and addition of lubricant to the primary chain case (Evolution 1340 and Twin Cam 88 models) is required, the first choice would be to add H-D Primary Chain Case Lubricant (part #99887-84). Although H-D Primary Chain Case Lubricant is compatible with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids be changed as soon as possible.
If SYN3 is not available and addition of lubricant to the primary chain case and transmission for Evolution XL and Buell models is required, the first choice would be to add H-D Sport-Trans Fluid (part #99896-88). Although H-D Sport-Trans Fluid is compatible with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids be changed as soon as possible.
If SYN3 is not available and addition of lubricant to the transmission (Evolution 1340 and Twin Cam 88 models) is required, do not add H-D Semi-Synthetic Transmission Lubricant as the two lubricants are not compatible. [Top]