Harley Davidson 2003 VRSCA model. Service manual — page 2

FUEL AND OIL
FUEL
warning
Remove filler cap slowly and fill fuel tank slowly to prevent spillage; do not overfill or fill above the bottom of the filler neck insert. In addition, leave air space to allow for fuel expansion. Expansion can cause an overfilled tank to overflow gasoline through the filler cap onto surrounding areas. After refueling, be sure filler cap is securely tightened. Failure to comply may cause an explosion or fire which could result in death or serious injury.

Use a good quality leaded or unleaded gasoline of 91 pump octane (95 RON) or higher. Pump octane is the octane number usually shown on the gas pump.

GASOLINE BLENDS
CAUTION
Using gasoline that has an alcohol additive, such as methanol, may cause fuel system rubber components’ failure and/or engine damage.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles were designed to give the best performance using unleaded gasoline. Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline/alcohol blends as a fuel. The type and amount of alcohol added to the fuel is important.

• DO NOT USE GASOLINES CONTAINING METHANOL. Using gasoline/methanol blends will result in starting and driveability deterioration and damage to critical fuel system components.

• ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) and 90% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%.

• REFORMULATED OR OXYGENATED GASOLINES (RFG): “Reformulated gasoline” is a term used to describe gasoline blends that are specifically designed to burn cleaner than other types of gasoline. Your motorcycle will run normally using this type of gas.

You may find that some gasoline blends adversely affect the starting, driveability or fuel efficiency of your bike. If you experience one or more of these problems, we recommend you try a different brand of gasoline or gasoline with a higher octane rating.

ENGINE OIL
Use the proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before the next oil change.

If it is necessary to add oil and Harley-Davidson oil is not available, use an oil certified for diesel engines. Acceptable diesel engine oil designations include CE, CF, CF-4 and CG-4. The preferred viscosities for the diesel engine oils, in descending order, are 20W-50, 15W-40 and 10W-40. At the first opportunity, see a Harley-Davidson dealer to change back to 100 percent Harley-Davidson oil.

See 1.3 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE for all service information.
WINTER LUBRICATION
Combustion in an engine produces water vapor. During starting and warm-up in cold weather, especially in freezing temperatures, the vapor condenses to water before the crankcase is hot enough to exhaust it through the breather system. If the engine is run long enough for the crankcase to become thoroughly heated, the water returns to vapor and is then exhausted.

An engine used for only short trips, and seldom allowed to thoroughly warm up, accumulates increasing amounts of water in the oil pan. Water mixed with oil forms a sludge that causes accelerated engine wear. In freezing temperatures, the water becomes slush or ice, which may clog oil lines and result in engine failure.

Always change the engine oil more often in winter. If the engine is used for short runs, change the oil even more frequently. The farther below freezing the temperature drops the more often the oil should be changed.