So, I bought an atv recently and it needs an oil change (PO said he never changed it the whole time he had the machine [over a year]) So I want to give it a going over. Does anybody know what kind of oil this thing takes? I Have seen 3 different answers as to which kind I should use, does anyone have any PERSONAL experience with this machine as to which kind is the best? I seen 10w40 being recommended more than once and also 10w30 and 20w40? But I also heard Yamalube used to be 20w40 and is now 10w40? So would that mean I should be aiming for 10w40 since its the same type as Yamaha provides for their machines? Sorry if I'm not making any sense I just got up!

So I should add my local hardware store does not carry 20w40 so 10w40 or 10w30 are my choices which should I go with? and there is two kinds of 10w40 which kind do I go with? One is and the other
Sorry not that good with engines :P

 

If you have a wet clutch I'd stick with a jaso rated oil that doesn't have friction modifiers that can cause slipping. Most Japanese atvs that I've worked on run 10w40,but other good oils out there such as Mobil1 and Amsoil 0w40 that wold work,Rotella T6 5w40 that also has a jaso rating.Or any atv specific oil. Running car oil might not be the best choice.

 

anyone?

 

10w40 is motorcycle oil not car oil. There is none of those options with stuff that's around town. The service manual says 20w40 or 10w30 depending on temperature - And the one kind I mentioned up there is specifically for 4 stroke engines!

EDIT- scratch what I said there is those options so what exactly do I need and why is that the one I need I'm just confused hearing waaaay too many different things here.

 

You're not limited to what the older manuals say. Newer higher quality oil such as Mobil 1,Amsoil,Rotella or any good quad rated oil is plenty good enough for a 25 year old quad. Back then most everyone ran plain old non synthetic dino oil.

 

Still confused - You told me above not to use oils for cars, but the ones your suggesting are for cars, at least the ones ive searched up so far!

And all the others are saying they are for diesel motors?

So which is the best for my atv then, it being a wet clutch and all?

 

The most important thing to look for a is a JASO rated oil. Suitable for motorcycles and most atvs with wet clutches. Even Rotella T6 a diesel oil has this rating and can be used and has been used in cycles and atvs. Most cycle and quad specific oils have this jaso rating. Your choice as to 0w40,5w30,5w40,10w40,15w40,etc. Most of the so called synthetic "car" oils say that they are "energy conserving" which means it has frictions modifiers. This can cause slipping on cycle/atv clutch plates and also centrifugal shoe type clutches and isn't recommended.The exception is atvs with CVT clutches where basically any good oil,energy conserving or not can be used.

 

Where do I find if its JASO rated?

 

Back of the bottle..

 

Ok thanks for the help. One last thing, which one would be the best then I just hate having a big selection to choose from I never know what to choose. I just like being told get X kind and I go get it lol. Like I mean the 5w30 which number would be best for my machine I have no idea which kinds are for what