How often should i change the oil and other fluids?

 

And what are the best brands and what weight? On a 400 class machine. Thanks

 

When you go look at the used quads, it might be a good idea to bring a friend with you who is more of an expert if you're worried about not getting a good machine. Let them help you look at them and help you to pick out a good one. They will be able to spot things that you might not notice or even think to look at.

 

Check the owners manual, but you need to run the Jason spec stuff for wet clutches(at least don't run car oil thay has the "energy conserving" seal on the label. I have used everything from dino to full synthetics, and shell rotella has worked great. Most diesel truck oils don't have that conservation seal or additives and are acceptable for the wet clutch.

 

Thanks.. and I don't have any friends that can go with me .. that's why I'm trying to educate myself on them.

 

If you want the most reliable machine, I'd stick with a 400ex. Generally they are the least expensive too and you can get a nicer machine in better shape for less money than the rest. Its a shame you can't find the deals on sport quads like I can on my local craigslist but deals vary with location. As far as oils go, I just generally run the brand specific atv oil for the machine. If I had a 400ex, I'd use Honda oil for example. For the most part they aren't really any more expensive than other oils and are designed for atv use. No need to worry about whether they are good for wet clutches or not, you're covered. Many times you can get a better deal buying them in larger quantities like by the gallon as opposed to buying by the quart. It generally will take about 3 quarts to do an oil change on most quads, some needing even more.

 

Hey thanks a lot.. I need as much info as possible. . Yeah I wish I had access to the deals u do too. Unfortunately 400ex will average around 2 grand where I am and that's like an 03. But I have even seen them for 2,600 and no where near close to new.

 

Well a new 400ex will cost about 7 grand so even an 03 for 2 grand isn't bad. Even one that old still has many years of life left in it.

 

The 400 class are essentially the same machine across all years. Suzuki was better about updates, but even an original model year will be fine. With these, care and maintenance are so much more important than year or mileage. It is pretty easy to replace anything up to and including an engine or frame on these. Much more so than it is an automobile.

 

Thanks a lot guys. I'm really learning a lot