Can I use Motorcycle oil in a gasoline car engine?

[CharBaby]

Just out of curiosity.
AAP has on a closeout shelf, Valvoline Full Synthetic 15W50 motorcycle oil for ~$2.50/qt. I may uses(from time-to-time), a 15W40, 15W50 oil in the Firebird V8 in my signature however, I've NEVER used a specific motorcycle oil. I would buy up the shelf if I can. So, can I use Motorcycle oil in a gasoline car engine?

 

[M104]

This is a question i often ask myself too. I'd like to know how to additive package would impact a car engine.

 

[Cujet]

It will work perfectly. Motorcycle specific oil generally has higher HTHS numbers, has a shear resistant base stock tolerant of gearbox use, and will have a nice ZDDP level (generally 1200ppm) and a healthy dose of calcium. There is nothing in it that automotive oils don't have. If the viscosity is correct for your automotive engine, you will find that it works quite well.

Put another way, there may be some additives in some automotive oils that are typically not used in motorcycle oils, such as Molybdenum.

Here is an old list of the differences between automotive M1 and Bike M1.

Silicon: M1 15W-50: 9ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50:10ppm
Boron: M1 15W-50: 228ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 188ppm
Sodium: M1 15W-50: 13ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 3ppm
Magnesium: M1 15W-50: 43ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 538ppm
Calcium: M1 15W-50: 2464ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 1899ppm
Phosphorus: M1 15W-50: 1193ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 1142ppm
Zinc: M1 15W-50: 1315ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 1352ppm
Molybdenum: M1 15W-50: 90ppm, M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 0ppm

 

[BigCahuna]

Funny thing about motorcycle oils is, most do not have a API rating on the bottles. The Mfgr's say it meets of exceeds a certain rating, but do not get tested officially. Older motorcycles have had a SG requirement for years. What's the manual for your car say it requires ?. You could look thru the motorcycle VOA's, and see which one's are closest to what your car requires.,,,

 

[blufeb95]

I can't find anything about 15W50 Valvoline motor cycle oil, but the spec sheet for 20W-50 seems to indicate that it's rated API SJ and contains around 1000ppm of phos, it should be suitable in an older gasoline engine, not super high in the ZDDP department, I though the mobil 1 product sheet said their VTWIN 20W50 has like 1600ppm of phos in it.

 

[Zaedock]

Most are "meets or exceeds" Sx / Jaso MA/MA2

I bought some Quicksilver 10W40 full syn that meets SN. The Kawasaki syn blend 10W40 I have (green bottle) is SN rated as well and is also rated for CJ4 diesels.

 

[SuperSalad]

If you can find a JASO MB rated oil, that'd be pretty nice in a car. All the benefits of motorcycle oil with lower friction than an MA/MA2 oil.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I have always mention to hot rodders and muscle car customers that they should use 4T superbike oil in their engines instead of Delvac 15W40 or 25W50. Many could not get past the picture of a motorcycle on the bottle ! They don't even know what an API "Spark" engine service category is.

I used to run Mobil 1 Racing 4T back in the "real" synthetic days it was the best oil I had ever used. Then they changed the blend and ruined the performance. But it was still a tenner a quart!

Then you have the mercury marine inboard 4 stroke spark stuff in a 25W40 that is incredibly tough.

 

[Cripes]

I thought certain additives, like zinc, would wipe out a catalytic converter.

 

[GSCJR]

I'd clean them out, if I were you @CharBaby .

 

[kschachn]

I thought certain additives, like zinc, would wipe out a catalytic converter.

In high concentrations, and it is the phosphorus, not the zinc. All of which assumes the element is making it to the converter and that is dependent on oil consumption. Considering many manufacturers considered 1 quart per 1000 miles "normal" (and this was pre- API SN) one might conclude that it takes a fair bit more consumption than that to be an issue.

 

[oldhp]

Your car will want chrome mufflers if you use motorcycle oil. You will want to start wearing leather chaps.

 

[ChrisMU]

I would shelf-clear that deal if I could. I picked up a quart of Castrol 10w50 synthetic motorcycle oil at a discount store. I plan on using it with my 5 quarts of 2004-vintage Castrol GTX 20w50 in my ‘74 Pontiac.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I would shelf-clear that deal if I could. I picked up a quart of Castrol 10w50 synthetic motorcycle oil at a discount store. I plan on using it with my 5 quarts of 2004-vintage Castrol GTX 20w50 in my ‘74 Pontiac.

Why you want to ran a fiddy in that, boa ?!

 

[ChrisMU]

Why you want to ran a fiddy in that, boa ?!

I live in central Texas, and I suspect the oil pressure on that old 400 ain’t what it used to be. It makes a small bit of noise at stop lights on 100+ degree summer days. Most people wouldn’t notice.

 

[930.engineering]

.
While most motorcycle oils use to be quite stout (due to shearing because common
fill for engine, gearbox and clutch) they commonly lack certain friction modifiers (e.g.
MoDTC) to avoid a slipping wet clutch. Cold cranking also isn't their priority as most
motorcycles aren't even used in winter conditions. Then there's the lack of approvals.
All in all I think most motorcycle oil is likely ok to use in a passenger car but not ideal.
.

 

[paulo57509]

I did a VOA on Mobil-1 V-Twin years ago. If the formulation hasn't changed, I'd run it in a car if it came in something a little less viscous than 20w-50

 

[CharBaby]

I'd clean them out, if I were you @CharBaby .

Yup, I may indeed do that when I get back there. I’m sure there will be a few qts remaining.

 

[fedvet]

Just out of curiosity.
AAP has on a closeout shelf, Valvoline Full Synthetic 15W50 motorcycle oil for ~$2.50/qt. I may uses(from time-to-time), a 15W40, 15W50 oil in the Firebird V8 in my signature however, I've NEVER used a specific motorcycle oil. I would buy up the shelf if I can. So, can I use Motorcycle oil in a gasoline car engine?

Buy it now!

 

[SR5]

I would do it, I think motorcycle oils are made stronger with more ZDDP and more shear stable VII used. Basically high performance oils.