I think what 03 is saying is that the Polaris engineers were smart enough to know that they needed to run conventional oil on break-in and supposedly thats how the bike should be delivered , But,,,,, How much do you trust the dealer mechanic were you bought your Predator? If you trust him emfatically great ....Me? I drained the oil it came with and replaced it with Motul 3000 which I will run for 2 oil changes and then go to the PS-4.
Because the data and a few phone calls to race engine builders like Duncan Racing and Superbikes confirmed what 03 has been saying.... Anyway its your bike and thank God you live in America were you can do what you want to it! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

....What he said....

Thx Tres for reiterating the thoughts on this... glad to see you made those calls and did your homework too. I've already been told bad information from one dealer about the warranty, so it would not surprise me if the mechanic is wrong too, never know. However, it may be conventional, I'm likely sure it is. But, why use theirs when you can run your own favorite brand and know for sure you're doing it right from the start. Good Good Good.

 

Oh yea and Canada Too! Sorry Adrian......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I totally trust the techs at my dealer, I raced harescrambles with them. One is setting a Predator up for ice racing. You have to realize, there are many different materials, and coatings on these components. Just my personal choice, I'm running what they suggest.

Heck, even in our commercial jets, we have Mobil Jet 1 for the main engines, and Mobil Jet 2 for the APU's. Most would think, a turbine engine, is a turbine engine, is a turbine engine....wrong. When you operate something in a demanding way, you better be able to lubricate and cool those components. I've seen the "grenade" rooms at Hot Seat, and HPD, let the companies who can afford it blow things up. Run what you want, but the correct oil is cheap insurance.


Ken

 

Is PS4 the only "correct" oil for the predator in your opinion?

 

Something else to note, the PS4 (can't find it local yet) is different that the common Polaris ATV full synthetic oil. This is what I'm running now for the winter time, as its a 0W-40, and says for use in all Polaris snowmobiles and ATV's........

When summer comes around, it'll be 20w-50, or PS4 if I can find it by then.

 

I dont quite understand this whole thread first of all the polaris 0W/40 weight oil is the PS4 oil both are exactly the same oils also back to the oil in the predator from the factory yes it could very well be a conventional oil for the break in but if every predator owner was smart they would do exactly what the manual says to do for proper break in run the machine for an hr or one tank of gas then drain it and refill it with (states in your manual) the polaris 0W/40 SYNTHETIC OIL which is the PS4 oil the containers they come in are just not up to date.........why would anyone want to do something different from the manufacturers recomendations all your doing is voiding your factory warranty.

 

I was told on this board that the oil in the predator is a different color than what the PS4 is. Also, where does it mention in the warranty disclaimer that if you use a different (non-recommended) brand/type of oil, you void your factory warranty? I would like to see this.

Also, again, are you agreeing with Polaris that the break in period is over in one hour's time? Because, it's a fact you don't run synthetic oil until the motor is entirely broken in. So, you're running a fully synthetic oil (PS4) at the end of one hour's time? Hmmm

The "owners manual" is clearly wrong. What else can I say?

Again, follow the owners manual. I suppose I'll be the only non-smart predator owner on this board.

You'll see my brake light going up the hill by the way [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] No flames intended.

 

03 predator first of all i didnt change my oil out until the first tank of gas was gone which was about 3.5 hrs or so on my hr meter secondly yes i dont think polaris is going to write something that wasnt true in there manual do you think they would want a brand new quad to have problems because other pred owners assumed it was better to do it there way and not to the manuals instructions my point is it seems everyone has there own opinion on break ins there must be a reason as to there way of break in on this model I highly doubt that they would put incorrect info in there manuals whats the point do you think they wanna see failures I doubt it in my opinion stick by the manufacturers recs also if the break in was say supposed to be 10 hrs then its fully broke in they would put in there manual thats all im saying.

 

I've got a Troy Lee Edition with about 3 tanks of gas through it. I changed oil after the first tank without any problems. I don't plan on changing oil every ten hours like the manual says. Maybe 2-3 times a year should be fine. (I ride a lot too) I do however have the White Brothers pipe and K&N filter on it. I've jetted up to a 155, but am going up to a 160, possibly bigger. It's cold here in Wisconsin (0-30 degrees) so it's asking for more fuel! :-) I haven't had any transmission problems and speed shifting is just fine( even downshifting). Traction is minimum though due to cold temps so we are putting on different tires with ice screws in them. This should no doubt help! Also going to race this weekend in Phillips, WI. Ice oval. Gotta show them Honda and Yamaha boys what's up![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] And my two cents on the factory boys knowing their stuff, they built it, they know what works. Ask a reputable dealer (which I work at one) if you've got questions about what to use or run. Also, but the $99 warranty for it. It's good piece of mind.