I was curious if anything deliterious might happen if one used car motor oil in a quad instead of motorcycle oil. My warrior manual recommends Yamalube type SE motorcycle oil. I went to the motorcycle shop and they had Honda and other oils that were type SG/SF. The service person said there would be no problem using the honda, or any other good quality motorcycle oil. I was looking at car motor oil and they are mostly rated SH/SJ. Does anyone know the differences? I heard that there are friction modifier differences between the different oils.
Thanks

preston

 

I've normally run regular "car" motor oil in my 4-stroke quad. I've just had it in the shop and learned that I should use motorcycle oil because of the different additives, made for a motorcycle. My clutch was slipping and I was told this is probably why (because I ran regular motor oil). As I was being told this, I remembered reading this same recommendation in ATV Action. One of their findings was clutch slippage. I've not yet got my quad back to know for sure if motorcycle oil cures my problem altogether, but I'm sure it will help.

 

im not sure of the specific differences between the above mentioned oil types. what i do know is some motor oils are specifically formulated for high mileage engines. you'll commonly find these oils labeled as "energy conserving" oil. these oils contain anti-friction additives which will result in clutch slippage and premature faliure. the complete opposite of what we need in our atv's. so, in my opinion your safe to use "car" oil so long as you read the label and avoid the above mentioned. PS. you may even save a buck or two.......