Kawasaki KLX250 Oil Change

If you want your Kawasaki dirt bike to stay awesome, take a handful of minutes and change out the oil.

Most routine maintenance on bikes, including oil changes, can be done with simple tools and basic mechanic skills. Here’s how to do a quick oil change on a Kawasaki KLX250 dirt bike.

Tools and Parts Needed – Kawasaki KLX 250 Oil Change

Tools

• 3/8th ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 8mm socket
• Torque wrench

Parts

• Kawasaki KLX 250 oil filter
• Kawasaki 10W40 oil (2 quarts)

Changing the Oil on a Kawasaki KLX 250

Step 1. Run the engine for a minute to circulate the oil, warm it up, and make it easier to drain.  

Step 2. Remove the oil fill cap to allow the engine to breathe. 

PRO TIP: Letting air into the engine makes it easier to drain the oil out of the bottom. 

Step 3. Get a drain pan ready, and use a 14mm socket to remove the drain bolt. 

NOTE: Don’t lose the accompanying crush washer. If you lose it or find that it’s damaged, get a replacement drain plug crush washer. 

Step 4. Reinstall the drain bolt and its crush washer when the engine finishes draining, and torque it to 11 foot-pounds. 

Step 5. Use your 8mm socket to remove the two bolts that hold the oil filter cover in place. Next, remove the oil filter.

PRO TIP: There’s a spring behind the oil filter that occasionally falls out. Use a dab of grease to stick it back into the center of the oil filter compartment and get it to stay in position.   

Step 6. Install the new oil filter. 

NOTE: There’s a black grommet in the center of the filter that needs to face out toward you. The filter is directional, and will not work properly if installed backwards. 

Step 7. Replace the oil filter cover, and tighten the two 8mm bolts to hold the cover in place. 

NOTE: Don’t overtighten the bolts, just snug them down.  

Step 8. Fill the engine with oil. 

NOTE: Kawasaki specifies the KLX250 takes just under 1.5 quarts of 10W40 oil.

Step 9. Replace the fill cap, and run the engine for a couple of minutes to circulate the fresh oil. Then, check the level in the sight glass and top off the oil if necessary.  

NOTE: The oil level should be between the upper and lower marks on either side of the glass. 

The steps for changing the oil on a Kawasaki dirt bike are the same or similar for all models. However, if you want a more detailed look at a Kawasaki dirt bike oil change, watch the video below to see how to change the oil on a Kawasaki KLX 110.