When your oil turns black this means the formulation of ingredients has broken down and the oil needs changed. I have too change mine about every other ride.
Gary

 

I bought a little hour meter from yamaha, I changed mine every 20hrs on the raptor, or I planned to, It had 18hrs on it when it was stolen. I had just changed the oil the day before [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]


I figure since it takes very little oil, and I don't change it every month, I just use Yamalube. It satisfies all the warranty requirments by yamaha..must be ok [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I would go synthetic if there was (is there??) a specific brand for ATV's and it was affordable

 

and gary might well change his oil while he has the engine tore down.

 

I always give her a fresh drink after buttoning her up...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. This time it's my fault though...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]. Ya got some of that special Chet racer blend around? I don't think I want any of that Sidewinder chain lube though..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].
Gary

 

Ok, I really want to clear this up before I do something that will damage my Raptor, but you are saying that there is nothing wrong with using any auto oil as long as it's not 5w-30 or 10w-30 right? So what about 10w-40?

 

Regular oil staisfies Yamahas warranty requirements as well. Yamaha recommends an oil rating of SE, SF, SG, or equivalent.
Gary

 

10w-40 will be fine. I usually run Castrols semi synthetic 10w-40 oil. Ditch the stock oil filter and pick up a $6 bosch 3300 as well....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].
Gary

 

a 10w-40 has the energy conserving stuff in it too.... i found this out last yr.. when i put reg 10w-40 in my warrior.. we get this stuff by the 55gal drums.. well few days later the clucth started slipping.... so i have to use yamalube $hit... 3.50 a quart someting like that......... err in all my past quads i had always used this same oil too...hmm they were all honda's tho..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

Not all do.

 

Like I previously posted, an oil with the energy conserving ingredients are clearly marked on the front of the container. In adding, in the location where service guide is, there is an energy concerving symbol and some wordage as well. I do not know of any 10w-40 oils having the marker....at least none I have used.
Gary