2022-2023 Ducati XDiavel Dark Engine Oil and Fluids Operations

Presenting the Ducati XDiavel Dark for the 2022-2023 model year, an exemplary amalgamation of formidable power, exceptional performance, and avant-garde aesthetics. The core of this superb motorbike is centred around a finely designed engine, and maintaining its best performance necessitates the selection of appropriate engine oil and fluids. The Ducati XDiavel Dark requires a high standard of performance, which is effectively met by the specifically designed engine oil and fluids.

As one embarks on the trip with the 2022-2023 Ducati XDiavel Dark, it is important to acknowledge that the engine oil and fluids play a crucial role as essential collaborators in the relentless search of excellence. Ducati’s dedication to innovation and quality is apparent in the meticulous attention given to every aspect of their motorcycles, including the selection and maintenance of oil and fluids. This devotion guarantees that the exhilaration experienced from the very first encounter with these masterpieces of contemporary riding is sustained throughout the trip. Welcome to a novel epoch characterised by a heightened sense of excitement, wherein Ducati’s unwavering commitment to perfection is exemplified via meticulous attention to even the minutest aspects, such as the selection of engine oil and fluids.

Check clutch and brake fluid level

The level must not fall below the MIN marks on the respective reservoirs.
The clutch and front brake fluid tanks are represented in (Fig 209).
The rear brake tank is represented in (Fig 210).
If level drops below the limit, air might get into the circuit and affect the operation of the system involved.
Brake and clutch fluid must be topped up and changed at the intervals specified in the scheduled maintenance chart under “Scheduled maintenance”; please contact a Ducati Dealer or Authorised Service Centre.

Brake system
If you find exceeding clearance on brake lever or pedal and brake pads are still in good condition, contact your Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre to have the system inspected and any air drained out of the circuit.

Attention
Brake and clutch fluid can damage paintwork and plastic parts, so avoid contact.
Hydraulic fluid is corrosive; it may cause damage and lead to severe injuries. Never mix fluids of different qualities. Check seals for proper sealing.

Clutch System

If the control lever has exceeding clearance and the transmission snatches or jams as you try to engage a gear, it means that there might be air in the circuit. Contact your Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre to have the system inspected and air drained out.

Attention
Clutch fluid level will increase as clutch plate friction material wears down. Do not exceed the specified level (3 mm – 0.12 in above the minimum level).

Checking brake pads for wear
Check brake pads wear through the inspection hole in the callipers.
Change both pads if friction material thickness of even just one pad is about 1 mm (0.04 in).

Attention
Friction material wear beyond this limit would lead to metal support contact with the brake disc thus compromising braking efficiency, disc integrity and rider safety.

Important
Have the brake pads replaced at a Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre.

Charging the battery
Before charging the battery, it is best to remove it from the motorcycle.

Important
The battery is located under the cowling; to remove it, ALWAYS contact a Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre.

Removing the battery
Remove the right cowling (1) by loosening:

• The side screw (2) securing it to the electrical components compartment;
• The three screws (3) for lower securing to the central cowling;
• Screw (4) securing central cowling to right cowling;

Then, loosen two screws (5) and remove the battery support bracket (6).
Slide out the battery (7) from its housing and, always starting from the negative terminal (-), loosen the two screws (8).
Remove the positive cable (9), the ABS positive cable (10) from the positive terminal and the negative cable (11) from the negative terminal.

Attention
The battery produces explosive gases: keep it away from heat sources

Attention
Keep the battery out of the reach of children.
Charge the battery at 0.9 A for 5÷10 hours. Charge the battery in a ventilated room.

Refitting the Battery

Connect the battery charger leads to the battery terminals: the red one to the positive terminal (+), the black one to the negative terminal (-).

Important
Make sure the charger is OFF when you connect the battery to it, or you might get sparks at the battery terminals that could ignite the gases inside the cells. Always connect the red positive (+) terminal first.
Lay down the ABS positive cable (10), onto positive cable (9) and start screw (8) on these cables. Connect the positive cable (9), previously assembled to ABS cable (10), to battery positive terminal, and negative cable (11) to battery negative terminal, by starting the other screw (8).
Tighten the terminal two screws (8) to a torque of 4 Nm ±10% and apply grease onto the battery terminals to prevent oxidation.

Refit the battery support bracket (6) by inserting the bracket end in the relevant seats (A) on the electric component support.
Start and tighten the two screws (5) to a torque of 5 Nm ± 10%.

Reposition the right cowling (1) on the motorcycle by fixing it as explained below:

• Start the side screw (2) securing it to the electrical components compartment;
• Start the three screws (3) for lower securing to the central cowling;
• Start screw (4) securing central cowling to right cowling.

Tighten screws (2) and (3) to a torque of 4 Nm ± 10%. Tighten screw (4) to a torque of 4 Nm ±10%.
Fit quick-release fastener (12).

Attention
Should it be impossible to start the vehicle due to a completely flat battery, it is not permitted to start the bike by connecting an external starter or and external battery in parallel.
The charging system, indeed, is not designed to ensure a correct supply voltage for the engine electronics (including ignition/injection system) with a completely flat battery.
This could lead to a serious functional problem. Please, replace the battery or recharge it, and check it before using the bike.

Attention
Do not push start the bike.

Drive belt tension check
Important
Have drive belt tension adjusted by a Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre.

Replacing the high and low beam bulbs

Headlight
The headlight is a full LED unit.
Figure shows the locations of the low beam (LO), high beam (HI) and parking lights (1).
The light voltage and power values are indicated in paragraph “Electric System”.

Important
Have the headlight lights replaced by a Ducati Dealer or an Authorised Service Centre.

Attention
The headlight might fog up if the motorcycle is used under the rain or after washing. Switch headlight on for a short time to dry up any condensate.

Aligning the Headlight

Check correct headlight aiming. Position the motorcycle 10 metres (32.8 feet) from a wall or a screen, with the tyres inflated to the correct pressure and with a rider seated, perfectly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. On the wall or surface, draw a horizontal line at the same height from the ground as the centre of the headlight and a vertical line aligned with the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle. If possible, perform this check in dim light.
Switch on the low beam.
The height of the upper limit between the dark area and the lit area must not be more than 9/10 of the height from the ground of the headlight centre.

Note
This is the procedure specified by Italian regulations for checking the maximum height of the light beam. Please adapt said procedure to the provisions in force in your own country.

To vertically align the low beam, turn the screws (1).
To vertically align the high beam, turn the screw (2).

Adjusting the rear-view mirrors
Manually adjust the rear-view mirror by pushing at points (A).

Tyres

For information on tyre type and inflation pressure, see the “Tyres” sub-section in the “Technical specifications” section.
As tire pressure is affected by ambient temperature and altitude variations;
you are advised to check and adjust it whenever you are riding in areas where ample variations in temperature or altitude occur.

Attention
Check and set tyre pressure when tyres are cold. To avoid front wheel rim distortion, when riding on bumpy roads, increase tyre pressure by 0.2 ÷ 0.3 bar (2.9÷4.35 PSI).

Tyre repair or change (Tubeless tyres)
In the event of a tiny puncture, tubeless tyres will take a long time to deflate, as they tend to keep air inside. If you find low pressure on one tyre, check the tyre for punctures.

Attention
Punctured tyres must be replaced. Replace the tyres with recommended standard tyres only. Be sure to tighten the valve caps securely to avoid leaks when riding. Never use tube type tyres. Failure to heed this warning may lead to sudden tyre bursting and to serious danger to rider and passenger.
After replacing a tyre, the wheel must be balanced.

Attention
Do not remove or shift the wheel balancing weights.

Note
Have the tyres replaced at a Ducati Dealer or authorised Service Centre. Correct removal and installation of the wheels is essential. Some parts of the ABS (such as sensors and phonic wheels) are mounted to the wheels and require specific adjustment.

Minimum tread depth
Measure tread depth (S, Fig 226) at the point where tread is most worn down: it should not be less than 2 mm (0.08 in), and in any case not less than the legal limit.

Important
Visually inspect the tyres at regular intervals for detecting cracks and cuts, especially on the side walls, bulges or large spots that are indicative of internal damage. Replace them if badly damaged. Remove any stones or other foreign bodies caught in the tread.

Check engine Oil level

Check the engine oil level through the sight glass (1) on the clutch cover.
Oil level should be between the marks on the sight glass. If the level is low, top up with engine oil. Ducati prescribes the only use of SAE 15W -50/JASO MA2 oil and recommends the use of Shell Advance 4T Ultra 15W -50 oil (JASO: MA2 and API: SN). Remove the oil filler cap (2) and top up until the oil reaches the required level. Refit the plug.

Important
UK VERSION: Ducati recommends you use
Shell Advance DUCATI 15W-50 Fully Synthetic Oil.

Attention
Engine oil and oil filters must be changed by a Ducati Dealer or Authorised Service Centre at the intervals specified in the scheduled maintenance chart contained in this manual, sub-section
“Scheduled maintenance chart”.
To check the oil level correctly, carefully follow the instructions below.

1. The level should be checked at warm engine, about 15 minutes after the engine has been stopped.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 10\15 minutes to allow the oil to flow completely inside the sump.
3. Position the bike with both wheels on a flat ground and in straight position.
4. Then, check the engine oil through the sight glass.
5. If the oil level is below the middle line between the MIN and MAX marks, add oil until reaching the maximum level indication.

Attention
Never exceed the MAX mark.

Attention
In engines equipped with timing variators it may happen that a certain quantity of engine oil remains in the cylinder heads when the engine is off and requires a certain amount of time to flow completely into the oil sump. This could lead to an incorrect measurement of the oil level.

Recommendations concerning oil
It is recommended to use oil complying with the following specifications:

• Viscosity grade SAE 15W-50;
• Standard API: SN;
• Standard JASO: MA2.

Attention
UK VERSION: It is recommended to use oil complying with the following specifications:

• viscosity grade SAE 15W-50.

SAE 15W-50 is an alphanumerical code identifying oil class based on viscosity: two figures with a W (“winter”) in-between; the first figure indicates oil viscosity at low temperature; the second figure indicates its viscosity at high temperature. API (American standard) and JASO (Japanese standard) standards specify oil characteristics.

FAQs