04 Yamaha Kodiak 400 engine oil

Joined
Nov 20, 2023
Messages
17
Location
Camillus NY
My wife's had the above quad for 5 years, got it from a good friend that bought it new. Has only 512 original total miles. I did an oil change when I got it with yamalube 4, 10w 40. It ran great. Since I change oil in my quad yearly (04 suzuki vinson 500), I've always used synthetic 5w 40 sae graded automotive oil. I have used that in the yamaha in subsequent oci's. We use them year round here in Northern NY where it gets below zero in the winter and 90's in summer.
I got home the other day and she figured she'd save me some time and changed the oil and filter and pre-filter screen, she bought a synthetic 5w 40 European car graded oil.
Manual says use an api SE, SF, SG type or higher. Is there anything in that euro formula that will have a negative impact?
Thanks again in advance.
 
Zero impact. In fact, I would have recommended that exact oil had you asked for a recommendation.

I hope I'm not speaking out turn here as I believe your quad does not have a wet clutch. If so, this oil could be the best lube it's ever had.

BTW: the SF, SG, etc specs have been replaced by the current modern specs. (If you don't have a wet clutch.)
 
Instruction manual says "in order to prevent clutch slippage (since the engine oil also lubricates the clutch) do not mix any chemical additives. Do not use diesel CD rated oils or oils of a higher quality than specified. In addition, do not use oils labeled "ENERGY CONSERVING II", or higher"
A little confusing since it states "API Service SE, SF, SG type or higher" in the previous paragraph it states use API Service SE, SF, SG or higher...
A little contradiction
 
Instruction manual says "in order to prevent clutch slippage (since the engine oil also lubricates the clutch) do not mix any chemical additives. Do not use diesel CD rated oils or oils of a higher quality than specified. In addition, do not use oils labeled "ENERGY CONSERVING II", or higher"
A little confusing since it states "API Service SE, SF, SG type or higher" in the previous paragraph it states use API Service SE, SF, SG or higher...
A little contradiction
OK, sorry. I totally gave you bad info. Wrong application.

The thing here is the part about "energy conserving". Look for that on the label for the oil she used. If present, I wouldn't use it for long.

As a replacement, I would recommend a 5W-40 syn HDEO. If Temps aren't too cold, you would be perfectly safe with a 15W-40 HDEO.
 
Of all the diesel oils, Rotella T4 15W40 and T6 5W40, are the ONLY oils that are wet clutch compatible in certification. Read the attached link. Says JASO MA, which is the wet clutch certification. Now, Shell self certifies this and never got added to the actual JASO MA list, but I trust Shell. Look all over the net and motorcycle and ATV guys have used Shell Rotella for decades.

https://www.shell-livedocs.com/data/published/en/3b8749b5-338a-4f6e-976d-8b4da2269f9c.pdf

Walmart sells Castrol and Valvoline Motorcycle and ATV 10W40 for $6.XX a quart and it’s good stuff. It’s super easy to find (Walmarts everywhere) and they will even ship it to your house so even more convenient.

I’d use the Walmart Castrol/Valvoline oils from now on based on price. If the conventional or semi synthetic oils are hard to start in the winter, try the Rotella T6 5W40. It’s cheap and lots of guys use it in wet clutch applications.

Or maybe try the T6 for one oil change and see how you like it. If it runs good and shifts good you could just stick with it and use that from now on.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/16879749?sid=6f24e53e-6377-4001-b6fb-610ac83609c7

https://www.walmart.com/ip/5229777099?sid=ee85e83d-8f46-49bd-9d1a-30ecce376dda

https://www.walmart.com/ip/118827353?sid=2d410a5e-de9b-497e-bbbc-287dc8af31bd

Valvoline ATV oil
https://www.walmart.com/ip/19514362?sid=0f3dd3ce-9da9-4801-9b14-6c67f26f8e19

Shell T6 5W40
https://www.walmart.com/ip/102646780?sid=0f07db26-e7bf-4d3f-8f5d-0dd27cff3cb7

This 10W30 synthetic ATV oil would be perfect for winter.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/308650978?sid=cebf9cdf-0bf0-4500-8e23-4a3b685baf82
 
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I’ve been running T6 5w40 in my wet clutch Yamahas for over a decade with no issues. I’ve ran T4 15w40 a few times without issues as well.
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