In the owners manual of my 2004 Outlander Max it suggests using the Bombardier synthetic 5w-40 year round. Since the gearbox and the engine share the same oil bath is this wise? I am well aware of the pros/cons of using synthetics in autos and trucks but will the internal clutches slip and/or glaze with the synthetic oil in the ATV? What are your experiences or opinions? Have any of you had a gearboxes torn down and can comment on the pros/cons of conventional vs synthetic oils in ATVs?

Thanks in advance.
Dale.

 

Dale
I have allways used synthetic in my many quads,but just started using Mobile 1 for cars in many quads after checking out an oil test done w/ motorcycle oil verses car oils. Was athread in this forum about a month or 2 ago. Test results were Mobile1 better than motorcycle oils and half the price. No problems and I ride often and hard at the dunes. Right now have Mobile 1 in both my WTEC Eraser 520KTM engine and my LRD 440 Susuki Z

 

Pure synthetic ...... NOT!

 

Can you elaborate?

 

Sure! I think that pure synthetic oils break down the clutch pads making them too slick. I was replacing clutches every 3-6 months with pure synthetic even when I used ultra heavy clutch springs. There are folks in here that swear by it, and I'm sure it saves your motor big time, but I believe its death to the clutch. I think there are several excellent alternatives. I for one use Honda's HP4 no moly synthetic blend. The blend is a mix of natural mineral oil and synthetic. I havent replaced the clutch now for over a year and a half. We tore the motor apart a few months ago to replace the piston and my mechanic said everything looked good inside. Thats my opinion ...

 

you are supose to run a motercycle synthetic... were you? cause i run it in my pred and havent had a problem yet.
just quite expensive.

 

It depends on the quad. In this case, with the DS 650, I wouldn't recommend it. But I know people do run it. It not a matter of hurting the motor, but the clutch pads.

 

I've run Redline in my wife's 400EX ever sinced we had it punched out to a 465 and have not had a problem with her clutch in almost two years now.

I used to run it in my DS too, but I ride so much and so hard that I like to change my oil often and it just got to be too expensive!

 

I run amsoil. The problem with most motor oil is two things one is friction modifiers that they put into the oil. If you run a oil that was made for wet clutches like amsoil 4-stroke then you will be fine because they don't put any modifiers in it. the other thing in regular motor oil is that they have wax in them that will also help glaze your clutches and when there cold makes the oil really thick and it will not flow.

 

i run the redline in my ds, and can't say how long the clutch will last but i figure with the punishment i put on one, it is a item i'll plan on replacing so i'll give the engine the good oil so it doesn't break.