Ask the Editors: Why ATV-Specific Oil?

Dear ATVC:

After just dropping $30 on oil from my dealership (not counting filter cost), I began to wonder, are there any real benefits to running ATV oil as opposed to say automotive oil in my quad? Or to put it an other way, which is worse? Dirty ATV oil or fresh auto oil in my machine?

You hear it said time and time again that your engine oil is your ATV’s lifeblood but what does that really mean? In short it means skimping here can cause catastrophic damage to the moving parts that comprise an internal combustion engine. While on the surface oil is oil and nothing is better than a freshly replaced supply in your machine, there is really no reason to skimp by using car oil when going through the process of performing an oil change. If you are in a real pinch, you would be better off running wet-clutch compatible motorcycle oil if nothing ATV-specific is available. So what then makes ATV oil so special you ask? The answer has all to do with additives.

For starters a wet clutch is a fancy way of saying that your engine oil is also responsible for lubricating the clutch plates, gears and so on (which is why ATVs don’t require separate transmission fluid). Without specific additives, clutch slippage and accelerated wear of gear teeth is a given.

When compared to your average Ford Fiesta, ATVs (like most single cylinder engines) deliver a much higher torque and load spectrum as well as operate at a wider temperature range. Shear strength to keep friction in check and thermal stability additives are designed to address these conditions. Other additives target corrosion; to protect against water, deposits and other corrosive materials that commonly haunt the off-road environment.

Finally, and not to be discounted, ATV oils are often offered in weights that coincide with the specific needs of an ATV rather than the more generic weights of the auto world.

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