Before you head out on that fall hunting trip.....

Best to NOT GET LAZY, and leave your summer oil in your engine for cold weather! Most engine wear occurs at a cold start, so true winter weight oil will improve the longevity of your engine, because they flow better in the cold.

For Hondas, 10W40 makes a good summer oil in most of the country. In milder weather, 10W30.

For winter, 10W30 for mild conditions, but when it turns really cold 5W30 or 0W30 will give you better pumpability in the cold.

http://forums.atvconnection.com/honda/318931-oil.html

 

I use 10wt-40 year round in all my machines.. Amsoil for the KTM...Valvoline for the rest. Never had a oil related problem, but usually dont ride if its below 25º or over 100º.

 

The best way to determine your favorite oil's viscosity on a cold start, is to go to the manufacturer's web site and look up the Vis (cSt) at 40 degrees. The lower the number, the more pumpable the oil is when cold:

For example, a typical 10W40 petroleum oil will get a value around 110. A synthetic 10W40 will fare better than petroleum...just one of synthetics many advantages over petroleum! For example, two of my favorite ester based oils, Redline and Maxima Extra, are 88.7 and 82.2 respectively.

My favorite winter oils, Redline 10W30, Maxima 530MX, and Maxima Ultra 0W30, on the other hand, get 70, 52.9, and 46.8 respectively!

 

I went and looked Amsoil up... 93.4 for their 10wt-40 and 69.2 for the 10wt-30..

Couldnt find that info at the Valvoline site...

Might think about using 10wt-30 in the winter now for the KTM...air cooled Hondas and Chinese thumpers are going to continue getting 10wt-40...Dont want to shock the old Hondas..some of them have been using Valvoline 10wt-40 for over 3 decades...

 

I always try to stay in the MIDDLE of the recommended temperature ranges for an oil weight, and not try to push the extremes.

For example, my owner's manual says that 10W40 is good for 15 to 100+ degrees. I try however to keep it in the 40 to 90 degree range, and not try to push the limits. If the daytime high is 40 degrees or so, then I would switch to a 5W30. If it is above 90 (and I am stupid enough to be out riding in that heat), then I might go with a 15W50, etc.