ATV oil what to use?

[rockwell16]

I use polaris brand oil for my you guessed it my polaris scrambler 01 500 2x4 its great tell me what you use sometimes i use other stuff but you have to watch out with atv oil some makers in production get dust and dirt in the oil and sometimes even metal particles

[marioweldinginc]

I use Rotella T6 5w-40 diesel oil in my 400EX.

[Porps2001]

I use only Arctic Cat oil in my 650 H1, but I plow and do other heavy duty stuff with it. That oil is more expensive than gold!

My Honda 250 EX however....I run whatever is on sale. We have 2 of those and have never had a problem with either bike. I have only replaced tires, spark plugs and oil for almost 10 years.

[TEXASBAGMAN]

Depends on the type of ATV. If it has a VT driven transmission that is seperate from the engine(or has its own oil) then automobile oil of your choice in the proper viscosity will work. Any 5speed clutched or semi-auto with a constant mesh transmission, clutch, and or centrifical cluth should only use ATV/MC oil. POLARIS IS VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT THE FRONT DIFF OIL. IN A 4x4! POLARIS AND ROYAL PURPLE ARE GOOD FRIENDS I THINK.

[CK1999_400ex]

I only use rotella 15-40 in air cooled machines

And rotella 10-40 in water cooled machines

I'm a mechanic / tech on autos and atvs/motorcycles

And have used the rotella in all my machines for the

Last 10+ years and also put it in every machine I do

oil change service on.. In my shop..

[TEXASBAGMAN]

Using automotive oil in ATV/MC causes serious damage. In automotive vehicles, the engine is always separate from the clutch and transmission so they have separate oils for each. In automotive engine oil, there is more of what is called "friction modifiers" to help lessen the amount of friction on engine components and improve fuel economy. Of course, improving fuel economy has always been the main goal of the automotive industry making friction modifiers a necessity for all automotive oils.

These friction modifiers that are added to automotive oils are what cause serious damages when used in motorcycles. The friction modifiers clog the clutch plates in a motorcycle's transmission causing serious clutch slippage and disabling the ATV/MC ATVS AND MC to be as compact as they are, they have to combine their engine and transmission into one casing. This means that everything is lubricated by only one type of oil including the valves, piston, transmission, and clutch.

ATV/MC require very little and/or no friction modifiers to help improve clutch friction and to prevent clutch slippage. But to make up for this lack of friction modifiers, motorcycle oils use higher levels of anti-wear additives such as ZDDP, also known as phosphorous, to limit engine friction and wear. Since ATV/MC oil has extra anti-wear additives and is lubricating so much more than automotive oil, you can expect to pay anywhere from $9 to $15 a quart. COPY&PASTE

[Porps2001]

Thanks TEXASBAGMAN! Should I be worried about the Hondas? From now on I will follow your advice!

[TEXASBAGMAN]

Thanks TEXASBAGMAN! Should I be worried about the Hondas? From now on I will follow your advice!

Thats a good point about Hondas! I have a RINCON 650 here for repair. Runs wont move. I dont know a lot about these Hondas. I do believe they have a unique drive system works off hydralic pressure from engine oil.

[TEXASBAGMAN]

Most engine damaged is done when you start your engine not while its running! Mercedes and or Bmw maybe others use electric oil pumps to circulate the oil in the engine the secoud the key hit the ignition. I am not up to date on auto and oiling!

[oxidized_black]

i think youre safest with atv synthetic ... im using it now in my machines ...

[TEXASBAGMAN]

LOTS OF PEOPLE like and use ROTTELLA. changing oil with car oil is way better than NOT changing it. I have put a many of quart of car oil in a many of ATVS MYSELF! Seen the old timer change the filter and add a quart to old farm truck and drive it tiill the wheels fall off. Who knows what is really in that plastic container. I have not tried AMSOIL PRODUCTS. other than had a 2 stroke kfx80 and used AMSOIL IN IT, NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. 3 thing i would bet the farm on are CASTROL,ROYAL PURPLE AND SEA-FOAM! that SEA-FOAM is pure magic!

[marioweldinginc]

If the oil has a jaso ma rating on it, it fine for wet clutch atvs no matter who makes it. As I said above i use rotella t6 now but was previously using rotella t 15-40.

[Underdog]

I Only use Rotella T6 synthetic 15w40 its very good stuff. It will serve all your lubrication need well and protect you valuable engine.

[hangingon]

You cant go wrong with what the manufacture recommends.