API service and SAE viscosity

[danci1973]

Ok, I have two questions and search wasn't very usefull.

I'm working on a Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat. The service manual calls for an API SE, SF or SG. It also says

Quote:

'Caution: Do not use chemical additives or oils with a grade of CD or higher, or use oils
labelled "ENERGY CONSERVING II". Such additives or oils could cause clutch slip.'


I found a PDF that explains API service levels and all of the above are 'obsolete'. Should SJ, SL or SL oil be OK (as long as it's not 'energy conserving')?

Also - according to the manual the oil viscosity should be 10w30 or 10W-40 for UK models or 10w30 or 20W-50 for US models. I don't quite understand why US models have different specs - but wouldn't 10W-50 cover it all (at least for the US models)?

Besides - this bike is neither a UK or US model...

Thanks, D.

 

[bepperb]

Yes, those grades are obsolete. Any 40 weight oil will be non-energy conserving per the API, and many SM oils in 40 weight still have SL levels of ZDDP.

Yes, a 10-50 will cover it. So will a 5-40 or 15-40 diesel oil.

 

[boraticus]

I just bought a bunch of Shell Formula 10W40 conventional oil for $2.79/litre. That's a bargain!

I'm not using it in the bikes. I use Rotella T 15W40 in them. The 10W40 will be used in my Kawasaki and Honda powered lawn tractors.

As mentioned by bepperb, the oil is non-energy conserving. I suppose it could be used in a bike. Has anyone used it in their bike?

I also noted that Rotella T 15W40 is getting expensive at $19.99 CDN for a 4 litre jug. That's about five buck more than this time last year? Must be gaining in popularity or something?

 

[mjoekingz28]

I had the same bike years ago and I think it was to use 10w30 below 80F and 20w40 above 40F.


+1 on Rotella 15w in summer and 5w in winter.


IMO, they are different between the US and EU because they sell Yamalube here and I dont think they sale it there.

For some reason they changed their oils to a grade heavier. Maybe its they just wanted to have a I4 oil and a V2 one to simplify things.

Personally I wouldn't mess with a 50w unless you're in the desert doing slow speeds. Happened to me with the bike you have. Got stuck in the sand in Death Valley and when I got to Vegas I saw a dribble of oil running down the engine. Never saw anymore, but I wish I would've had 50w in there at that time.

Good bike you have. Fun to corner carve and very comfortable on long trips. Cheezy headlight though and heavy like a couch.