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Is there anything special about these engines? I know they run like 8000rpm. 2017 Polaris xp1000rzr highlifter edition
What oil can be used in a side by side engine?
- Thread starter The motor guy
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Does the manual say anything about it?
Polaris has a specific oil; there are some OAs here that show it’s nothing special. If you’re interested, HPL makes a specific oil called SXS for these engines.
Our Maveric book says synthetic 5w40
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Yeah they only recommend their oil
Yeah, I decided to google.
The severe service definition looks like every day use if I were to be the owner.
Strangely, they specifically say do not use automotive oil.
I do not own one of these, and I wonder what other guys are doing about this “do not use automotive oil“ stipulation.
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I buy the Polaris 5W-40 and OE filter at the dealer. KIS principle for my needs.
Use a motorcycle oil like this one. Bike engines can run way over 8K rpm unless it is an old Brit or some other old lump.
https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-10W-50-Synthetic-Motorcycle-Bottle/dp/B008MISF54?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-10W-50-Synthetic-Motorcycle-Bottle/dp/B008MISF54?th=1
I wonder if it's just safeguard towards someone hitting Wallyworld up for some Supertech 5w30 thinking it would be ok.
The HPL is a 10w50 I believe. I’ll check when I get home.
It is actually a 5W50.
A lot of bike/ATV manuals have similar verbiage in them. Polaris or Amsoil 5W50 are probably the most popular options where I live. I have used both and prefer the Amsoil 5W50. Both are about the same price and with my riding I change once a year.
It looks like Valvoline offers a motor oil that is specific to ATV/UTV use. Without knowing who makes the Polaris branded product, I would personally feel better using the Valvoline oil.
https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/collections/motorcycle-atvs-motor-oil
https://shop.valvolineglobal.com/collections/motorcycle-atvs-motor-oil
Except they don't have the correct viscosity. Polaris oil is blended by Lube-tech from what I have heard. They also blend some of the Motorex stuff in the states for KTM.
https://www.lubetech.com/
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I know a lot of people use Rotella 15w-40 in their SXS's, I can't bring myself to do it. I buy the kit from Amsoil for my Can-Am, they also make a kit for Polaris. The kits have everything you need for the OCI.
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Probably there are some features in the engine that could benefit from a stouter additive package than is normally found in a modern car oil? Maybe the valve train? I'm sure lots of people are running diesel oil, or motorcycle oils, once they are out of warranty. Unless you have some big spaces or in the dunes, that engine must not be stressed too much?
I've never owned an ATV/UTV, so all that I am going on is second hand from my son, who is a mechanic at a Honda Power Sports dealership.
He tells me the thing that kills ATV/UTV drivetrains more than anything else is lack of maintenance. He says that for some reason, owners seem to think that they can drive these machines in the harshest of conditions, and neglect filter and fluid changes.
Considering this, I would suspect that frequency of oil changes on a side by side would be much more important than exact viscosity being called for. But Polaris machines tend to need more maintenance than most others, so perhaps using what they call for could be important.
Amsoil 5w50 and change it every 40 hours. I have almost 800 hrs on my 2017 rzr 1000, I do a leak down and compression test every winter and motor is still like brand new. Plenty of other SXS specific oils out there but the Amsoil is a great oil and cheaper if bought by the case.