Yamaha R3 engine Oil Capacity and Best Oil Specifications

Yamaha R3 (YZF-R3 – YZF320) is a sports motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha from 2015 to the present. This bike is shipped worldwide globally. In some countries, this motorbike may have only been marketed since 2019. There haven’t been many changes made by Yamaha to this motorcycle during that period. Especially the engine still maintains a configuration of 2-cylinder in-line with a liquid-cooled 320cc DOHC engine. This motorcycle is capable of producing 41.5 HP of power and 30 Nm of torque. Therefore, in general, the engine oil capacity and specifications recommended by Yamaha are the same. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to change the oil, whether with filter replacement or not, along with the engine oil capacity and the best recommended oil specifications.

Engine oil and oil filter cartridge

The engine oil level should be checked before each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and the oil filter cartridge replaced at the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.

To check the engine oil level

Place the vehicle on a level surface and hold it in an upright position. A slight tilt to the side can result in a false reading.
Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it off.
Wait a few minutes until the oil settles, and then check the oil level through the engine oil level check window located at the bottomright side of the crankcase.
The engine oil should be between the minimum and maximum level marks.
If the engine oil is below the minimum level mark, add sufficient oil of the recommended type to raise it to the correct level.

Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil level check window
Maximum level mark
Minimum level mark

To change the engine oil (with or without oil filter cartridge replacement)

Place the vehicle on a level surface.
Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it off.
Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
Remove the engine oil filler cap, the engine oil drain bolt and its gasket to drain the oil from the crankcase.

TIP Skip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge is not being replaced.
Remove the oil filter cartridge with an oil filter wrench.

TIP: An oil filter wrench is available at a Yamaha dealer.
Apply a thin coat of clean engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter cartridge.

TIP: Make sure that the O-ring is properly seated.
Install the new oil filter cartridge with an oil filter wrench, and then tighten it to the specified torque with a torque wrench.

Tightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge: 17 N·m (1.7 kgf·m, 13 lb·ft)
Install the engine oil drain bolt and its new gasket, and then tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

TIP: Install the new gasket as shown.

Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Refill with the specified amount of the recommended engine oil, and then install and tighten the oil filler cap.
Recommended engine oil:

SAE viscosity grades:
▶10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade:
▶API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA
Engine oil quantity:
▶Oil change: 1.80 L (1.90 US qt, 1.58 Imp.qt)
▶With oil filter removal: 2.10 L (2.22 US qt, 1.85 Imp.qt)
Start the engine, and then let it idle for several minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and check for the cause.
Turn the engine off, wait a few minutes until the oil settles, and then check the oil level and correct it if necessary