Additives and ATV

[BISCUT]

Debating a fellow poster on an ATV forum. I've stated that synthetics comprable to Mobil 1 aren't the best choice for your ATV due to additives such as molly. etc... I mentioned JASCO certification and Rotella.

He feels Rotella is a cheap diesel oil and not exactly a good choice for your ATV as it is meant for low RMP diesel engines while our ATV's (750 Brute force) run high RPM.

I said it's not the fact that synthetic isn't good it's more application specific that that. Mentioned Rotella T6 synthetic and that that oil would be good to go.

The point where we seperate big time is his stance that ANY synthetic, whatever is on sale, is better for an ATV than any DINO out there.

Looking for some good info here as this topic comes up often. Could someone explain who's correct or more likely; how both of us are correct to a degree.

 

[DrDusty86]

Mobil 1 isn't the best choice in ANY engine.
I used Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 in my Grizzly 600. Worked fine.

 

[bepperb]

Rotella is popular on sport bikes with much higher revving engines than your atv, and higher specific outputs as well. It would be a good fit I'm sure.

As to other oils being "bad" that really depends on weather the clutch is shared with the engine oil. In an automatic ATV unfortunately I'm not sure if that matters or not, probably not if the sump isn't shared.

 

[cancov]

Your biggest argument is going to be the JASO certification of Rotella T6. If he rebukes that with the, "Oh, Mobil just didn't want to pay the certification price," just state that they are already paying the certification with their own Mobil motorcycle oil. I'd tell him to look into some JASO literature. One of the biggest atributes about the JASO/Motorcycle certification is the low level of friction modifier.

Also, Rotella T3, I believe carries the JASO MA certification and it, of course, is conventional.

 

[ccdhowell]

If the Brute is a dry clutch, I think it is, then a PCMO could be better with the friction modifiers and no need to worry about wet clutches. I run very slick auto racing oil in my two quads with dry clutches (CVT transmissions)

Rotella is a cheap general purpose oil that works well in many applications, but I don't think he's wrong to run Mobil 1.

 

[Cmarti]

I have used both T-6 Rotella synthetic and Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40
with no wet clutch problems. The Mobil 1 High Mileage goes in some older ATV's I did not want to replace gaskets in.

Both oils are not stamped energy conserving. T-6 works great in the Goldwing as well.

You guys are both right......

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
The point where we seperate big time is his stance that ANY synthetic, whatever is on sale, is better for an ATV than any DINO out there.

While I would not go as far as to say that any synthetic is better than any conventional, I would say the BF is an oil shredder and conventional oil is sheared down very quickly. I run T6 in mine because it turned conventional 10W-40 in a 20W in less than 10 hours. Since I have a 5 year warranty on my BF, the JASO requirement is something to consider to prevent any warranty issues (if this is a consideration).

I have had similar discussions on that forum and I can say without prejudice there is WAY too much misinformation and lack of factual data being used to validate the arguments. Very few individuals over there know what a used oil analysis is--much less have used one to make an informed decision about the types of oil to use.

 

[pacebria]

what about the t6 bubbling in the Brute if I pull my stick mid ride it looks like a foam pit in there!