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Does anyone know why H-D increased the oil capacity stated in the Service Manual for the Cross Bones from the 2.5 wet/3.0 dry in 2008 to 3.5 wet/4.0 dry in 2010? H-D swears there was no change in the actual capacity and there was just a "wording change" in the manual, but changing the capacity numbers by 1 quart is not a simple "wording change" as I see it. The two manuals do not state the same thing in different ways, they state different things. So, did H-D take a manual that was correct and change it to be wrong or did they change the capacity and then decide not to tell anyone why and to deny that they did it? I can't get a straight (or a consistent) response from the Motor Company so I thought I'd see what you guys know about it. I know on my 2008 I put in 2.5 quarts on an oil change and the level is right where it is supposed to be. Has anyone done a change on a 2010? If so, how much did you add to get it to the full mark?
So maybe the Service Manual tells dealers how much oil to charge you for (3 or 4 quarts) rather than telling owners how much oil to put in (2.5 quarts)?
Amsoil is great. I use it too. When you drain your oil and install the new filter, the bike will take about 2.5qts. Add 2 to start then check the dip stick while the bike is on the side stand. It should read about normal, if not add a little more until it does.
Fire up the engine for 30sec to a minute, then check again. I've never needed more than 2.5qts during a change. Don't over fill it, you/ll send the dipstick flying out along with nice hot oil all over your leg.
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