Everything I have read says the bobbin area in all machines needs a drop of oil ever so often. The self lubricating machines do not need oiling on a regular basis in the housing because the gears are infused and releases a lubricant when in use. A drop of oil won't hurt your bobbin area. When you take it in for maint/cleaning everything moving part gets oil. I use the Genies in all my machines but do not add the drop of oil because it gets on my bobbin thread, I use prewound bobbins and take off the paper sides. I do take the tension spring out of the metal bobbin case.