I read a comment that ANY vehicle could use a 0w-50 or 5w-50 oil, and the logic seems to make sense but especially with motorcycles.
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Looking at a couple commonly available 15w-40 oils, the cSt @ 40 deg C ranges from 106 to to 117.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C ranges from 14.1 to 15.4.
And just looking at Mobil 1's 0w-50, for example, the cSt @ 40 deg C is 100.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C is 17.2.
And then looking at Mobil 1's Peak Life 5w-50, the cSt @ 40 deg C is 108.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C is 17.5.
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So, my thought process is that if a 15w-40 oil starts at ~110 cSt, then it's obviously capable of handling an oil that thins out to just 17.2 or even 17.5, correct??
And with motorcycle transmissions shearing oil moreso than with other applications (engines only), a 0w-50 or 5w-50 oil seems like a better choice. Or naw?
One thing I don't really understand is HTHS numbers and how to determine how much these oils will shear. Some people say that Group IV or V synthetics won't really shear that much (regardless of VIIs), while the Group 3's, like Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum will shear more like a traditional oil. Anyone able to offer insight into how to comprehend HTHS or other shearing info? Or is the best way to look at UOAs after 2,000 or 3,000 miles?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking at a couple commonly available 15w-40 oils, the cSt @ 40 deg C ranges from 106 to to 117.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C ranges from 14.1 to 15.4.
And just looking at Mobil 1's 0w-50, for example, the cSt @ 40 deg C is 100.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C is 17.2.
And then looking at Mobil 1's Peak Life 5w-50, the cSt @ 40 deg C is 108.
--- and the cSt @ 100 deg C is 17.5.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, my thought process is that if a 15w-40 oil starts at ~110 cSt, then it's obviously capable of handling an oil that thins out to just 17.2 or even 17.5, correct??
And with motorcycle transmissions shearing oil moreso than with other applications (engines only), a 0w-50 or 5w-50 oil seems like a better choice. Or naw?
One thing I don't really understand is HTHS numbers and how to determine how much these oils will shear. Some people say that Group IV or V synthetics won't really shear that much (regardless of VIIs), while the Group 3's, like Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum will shear more like a traditional oil. Anyone able to offer insight into how to comprehend HTHS or other shearing info? Or is the best way to look at UOAs after 2,000 or 3,000 miles?