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Car oil vs. Motorcycle oil.|
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Gold Member - 25 or more posts |
Does anyone here think there is a real big difference, or could I use the same oil for both applications, given the weight were the same as required? Some say it is OK to use non-motorcycle specific oil in a wet-clutch motorcycle as long as it is not rated as "energy conserving".
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Double Platinum Member - 100 or more posts |
This is probably reverse of what you had in mind, but I use motorcycle oil in my SUV. I like the beefier additive package that this motorcycle oil has, hence why I spend the money for it.
The product is Maxima Maxum 4 Ultra 0w30. |
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Gold Member - 25 or more posts |
That's actually another thing I was thinking of, using Motorcycle oil in my vehicles, specifically Maxima. I still want to hear opinions of using car oil in motorcycles, and if there is even a difference at all. |
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Double Platinum Member - 100 or more posts |
I'll keep you posted on my observations with it in my crankcase. So far, I've got about 2100 miles on that oil, and was trying to get to a 7500 mile OCI, but I'll have to muster a lot of willpower for that one, but I will have no problem leaving it in for 5000 miles, as my wife would have something to say about $75 OC's every 3000 miles!!!
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Platinum Member - 50 or more posts |
I have seen this or similar threads on other forums before and it always ends up left hanging.
My thoughts are; I'm not sure why you would want to run car oil in your bike, is it to save a couple of bucks? I love my bike and only give it a premium bike oil, I'm not interested in saving a couple of bucks at the risk of my bike. Now days with the high revving four strokes that are available, a specific bike oil is the only way to go. Obviously a bike oil is designed for a wet clutch, car oil is not. Although I know some car oils do go OK with the wet clutch. Just my thoughts....... I use Mobil 1 Racing 4T in my bike. Heres the new oil specs for your info. This is an Australian spec oil. Calcium 2489 Magnesium 610 Phosphorous 1204 Zinc 1177 Aluminium 1 Iron 2 Chromium <1 Copper <1 Lead <1 Tin <1 Silicon 5 Sodium 2 Boron 234 Molybdenum <1 Nickel <1 Silver <1 Barium <1 Manganese <1 Titanium <1 Vanadium <1 |
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Gold Member - 25 or more posts |
Not necessarily just for saving $, but motorcycle specific oils can be hard to find other than a dealer depending on where you live.
I'm not convinced that motorcycles are harder on oil than cars. |
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Platinum Member - 50 or more posts |
Auto oils that say "Energy Conserving" are not recommended for M/Cs' because they contain "friction modifiers" (additives) which can affect the operation and longevity of the "wet clutch". That info comes right out of my Honda Service Manual. NOTE-If the oil does not say "energy conserving" than it would appear it acceptable for use in M/C, ATV's etc with wet clutch's but why take the chance when there are many M/C oils on the Market. Amsoil, Belray, Castrol, Golden Spectro, Maxima, Mobil 1, Motul, Pennzoil, Royal Purple, Torco, Valvoline and much more I am sure all have specific M/C oils on the market.
You should look for a M/C oil with these spec's., API SG, SL/CF; JASO MA; API GL-1 Many continue to use them though and will argue to the death it makes no difference. But, it could be a reason to deny warranty coverage. Those that cannot find them are not looking very hard and often using price as thier reasoning. Using the internet you can have a case of Oil delivered to anyplace in the USA or Canada within days. Synthetic Oil user since 1975 |
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Gold Member - 25 or more posts |
My manual says "SG, non-energy conserving." It says nothing about being "motorcycle specific."
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Premium Member - 250 or more posts |
Hey, great idea. Motorcycle oil has higher levels of zddp, right? What is it rated, SL, SH, SG? I have three vehicles and by the manuals they are supposed to take SH and SG oil. I thing there is not enough zddp in this new SM stuff and the SL I have stocked is probably borderline. Motorcycle oil may be the perfect, albeit expensive, escape from the out of control spiral to lower and lower zddp. BTW, if I had a motorcycle I would seriously consider Redline Oil or some other ester synthetic. This message has been edited. Last edited by: TallPaul, |
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Bronze Member - 1 or more posts |
I feel a car oil can be used for the bike as long as it meets API S cate spec.
Ramesh |
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Platinum Member - 50 or more posts |
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeR, Synthetic Oil user since 1975 |
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Double Platinum Member - 100 or more posts |
I have used Mobil-I 15W-50 and Delo 400 with good results on my bike, I was wary of the fact that motorcycles also mean high load and rpm gears to be lubed but these two oils fared pretty well.
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Platinum Member - 50 or more posts |
We have also run Mobil 1 5W-50 in bikes with no clutch slippage or adverse effects.
MikeR hit the nail on the head, sums it up nicely. Thanks MikeR. |
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Double Platinum Member - 100 or more posts |
Most bike oils are far too viscous for the majority of modern auto engines made today and the 30wts are few and far between .
Citgo Ultra Life 10w-30 mineral oil has : 1300 phos 1400 zinc 250 boron 100 moly 2300 calcium . A modern additive pack using better base oils with SG levels of phos and zinc . It is good stuff . |
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Premium Member - 250 or more posts |
I bought a case of SL Ultralife 10w30 on clearance for 80 cents a quart (about half price). I noticed there was no starburst on the bottles, but some other cases of the same oil (I believe also SL) did have the starburst. So I am wondering if the latest version (did they go SM?) has all the goodies like you show above.
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Double Platinum Member - 100 or more posts |
I had read a year ago where they were getting the oil API certified but the data sheet still say's "
10w-30 10w-40 API Service Category Yes Yes API Certification Mark No No Energy Conserving Yes No The 10w-30 will go 10k-12k miles or more in engines of good design and the right conditions . I've run it over 8k in a 3.0 Ford and it was not even near done . There was more in it because it was coming back into starting grade with good tbn still yet . Short of turbo engine use , I'm not sure what it would take in terms of miles to get a good SL-SM mineral 30wt to oxidize and thicken out of grade and I don't have courage enough to see if 20k is the magic number |
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Premium Member - 250 or more posts |
Sorry MB, It was not the starburst, but the donut (I just looked at a bottle). My Ultralife 10w30 does not have the donut nor the "Energy Conserving" other cases did. I should have bought all they had for the price.
8000 miles, eh. Well that would be good for my Aerostar 3.0 which likes the thicker 12 cSt of the UL 10w30. But I have the clearance Redline 5w30 in her now and boy does it run sweet esp on these cold days (mid 20s here now). |
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Silver Member - 10 or more posts |
Sorry, didn't have time to read all the replies, so this may have been said already.....
I would not run anything in an integrated engine/transmission that is not Morotcycle Specific API SG/JASO MA. The SG guarantees that there is lots of zinc, etc., and the MX guarantees that it is ok for your wet clutch. Car oils just aren't beefed up with the extra high pressure additives, intended for use in a transmission. Not sure why everybody insists on using them in their bikes??? Guess it's because you can get them cheap at Wally World. Nice informative article, from MA Action: http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm This message has been edited. Last edited by: reconranger, Quad Rider |
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Bronze Member - 1 or more posts |
I would not use a car oil in the bike or the bike oil in a car unless I was stranded and had no choice. They both have different requirements. Especially air cooled motorcycles. Go to: www.lubedealer.com/tntsynthetics and click on the "other links" button and read the info on motorcycles and Auto/truck/SUV to further your knowledge
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Platinum Member - 50 or more posts |
Buddy (THEHEG)!
Think about this forum more like place for exchanging experiences and upgrading knowledge. Not as simple advertising panel! If you discovered these pages lately (registered Jan 2006) I can assure you that you are not only one Amsoil dealer present. Advertising like you do will produce just opposite effect among our honorable members. |
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