I own a 2001 Honda 350ES and was wondering about synthetic oils. I switched from the Honda 10w40 to Castrol 10w40 and noticed that my gas mileage decreased. Would using the Castrol oil be causing this?

Also, i am thinking on getting a snowplow blade for my quad for this winter. I do not have a heated garage. In the winter, temperatures can be -30 celsius at times. I was reading about Mobil1 15w50 synthetic, and was wondering if this oil would be appropriate for this kind of cold weather. If so, could i use this Mobil1 year round? If not, should i use a separate oil for winter and summer?

 

well not sure about that cold but i run my mojavce in the winter at like -15 degrees celcius and its awsome. loved the switch to mobile one.

 

You'd be better off with a synthetic 0w-40 like Amsoil Formula 4-stroke. And yes, you could use it year round.

 

Isn't it lower number means less vicosity? If so, I would think you would want to run a lighter initial weight than the 15 for those cold winter mornings.

 

Thanks guys.
With the more extreme winter temperatures we get here in Canada, i think the 0w40 synthetic may be a good choice. This type of oil would definitely be a good all season choice then? Is the Amsoil 0w40 non-energy conserving? I did see a new 100% synthetic 0w40 rotella from shell.... but not sure if it is non-energy conserving or not.

 

Honda does not recommend synthetics for your autoclutch bike! Presumably, because it will make the clutch slip??? If you read your owners manual, they list only GN4, which is a petrolium oil. Honda makes a 5W-30 GN4, which you can use in the cold. I only find it on the Canadian web site, however. http://www.honda.ca/MotorcycleEng/Ac...00-CB66949.htm

There is also a 0W-30 HP4, but it is a synthetic/petrolium blend, and not recommended for your Rancher. Again, only on the Canadian site. http://www.honda.ca/MotorcycleEng/Ac...50-CB66956.htm

Is 95sport is an Amway dealer???

 

Uh, did you mean Amsoil?

No, I'm not. I was at one time, but only to buy it for myself. I never sold it. I still use nothing but Amsoil in all my 2-strokes (which is everything except my Bronco and my plow truck.) It's the best stuff available. And yes, the Amsoil Formula 4-stroke is non-energy conserving. No friction modifiers. Designed specifically for recreational 4-strokes. Contrary to what some people think, synthetic oil is not "slipperier" than petro oil. It is however, better at everything. You don't have to believe it if you don't want to. Lots of people didn't believe Columbus when he said the world was round.

 

Good point.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] LOL

 

ok, now i am really and truly confused. My FourTrax 350ES is considered an auto-clutch right? .... so synthetic of any kind is not recommended? So on this Honda forum, all of the folks using synthetics are either ignoring the non-recommendation, or do not have auto-clutch bikes?

 

There is so much confusion about oils. If the oil carries a SG rating, and does not have the star burst symbol on the bottle, (which means it has moly in it), use it.
It doesnt matter if its synthetic or conventional oil.
I wouldnt use an oil with a 50 weight rating anytime of year, honda recommends 40 weight at the highest.
Heres a good site, which discusses oils and filters, OILS