Simple question:

I need to change my oil. I have been using the Arctic Cat Synthetic 0W-40. The dealer was telling me that I HAD to use AC oil as there can not be friction modifiers (?) in the oil. What oils have you guys been using?

 

AC's synthetic, as mine is still under warranty and I like to not give any manufacture the excuse that I used the wrong oil if something, God forbid, does go wrong. Besides it is a good oil. If you want to run something else, just lock at the rating letters on AC's oil and get something that matches it. The wet clutches in these thing do require other than just any old oil.

 

There isnt a direct link between moly and wet clutch failure, but theres a lot of theorys on it. Its best to not take a chance, use the proper oil.
The easy way to figure out if theres moly in the oil, is the bottle will have the energy concerving star burst symbol. If it has the symbol...the oil has moly, and you want to avoid it.
You can use any motorcycle specific oil, of the proper viscosity. Amsoil makes a very good full synthetic, and so do others. If you want to use full synthetic, youll be limiting your choices. If you can use dino oil, valvoline makes a good, ATV/Motorcycle oil. Almost all motorcycle oil containers have a statement to the effect of 'safe for wet clutches', if it has that, then theres absolutly no moly in it.
Oh by the way, you cant be forced to use a certain product, by brand name. As long as you use the proper viscosity and rateing, it will meet the manufacturers warrentee. There a law on this, where the manufacturer cant force the consumer to buy only their branded products. Tell your dealer to look up the Magnuson-Moss warentee act, because hes wrong to susgest you can only use ac products. Heres a link to it.
http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/magnusonmoss.htm

 

you can use the amsoil 10w40 motorcylce oil and be fine. As long as its the same viscosity and "safe for wetclutch use" any oil will be fine. It doesnt have to be synthetic. Your manual may even tell you that you can use differnt viscosity oil depending on the temperature.