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View Full Version : Shell Rottela T oil?


Sjorge450R
11-01-2006, 06:07 PM
Would I be better off running this in both sides of the motor? Or should I stick with the 10w-40 Havoline in the crank and use the Rotela in the clutch? Any suggestions are welcome.

Oh I will not run synthetic due to the fact of how often the oil is changed.

What seems to be the popular weights that people are running in both the crank and the clutch?
4ABURN
11-01-2006, 06:55 PM
I ran the mobil 1 15 50w in trx and CRF on the engine side. Rotella is suppost to be great oil, Now I know it use to be one of the best years ago,but knowadays I doubt it. But can,t hurt.
chris450R
11-01-2006, 07:19 PM
Rotella is one of the only or maybe the only oil that still has the natural additives in it still that help it protect like it should. it probably wouldn't hurt if you ran it. i know we just put some of it my friends 69 chevelle thats pushin 500hp. it was recommended by the engine buider.
red2004 TRX450R
11-02-2006, 07:50 AM
Rotella is one of the only street legal oils that still has a fair amount of zinc in it.
zinc is a must for mechanical lifters. that is why people recomend it.
but the nice goverment is making them take it out real soon!!!! :eek2:
Chino886
11-02-2006, 08:28 AM
I am going to pick up 12/1 qt bottles at a hell of a price tomorrow!
RedRacer44
11-02-2006, 09:04 AM
Is this the Rotella automotive oil that you are speaking about it? If so, I wouldnt recommend using the stuff in the TRX. I work at a Honda dealership and thats one of the biggest things we push on our customers is to not use automotive oil in the quads....

In the engine side...it probably would be OK but in the clutch side you need to use motorcycle oil. Most automotive oil isnt designed for a "wet clutch" like whats in your TRX. I'm just throwing this out there...

I've used Honda GN4 oil in both of my TRX race quads and have never had an engine failure of any kind....

The most popluar oil weights that we push is either 10W-40 or 20W-50 in either GN4, HP4, or HP4M type oils. Also consider using the Honda Tranny oil in the 80/85w (big red bottle).

Not trying to tell ya what to do...just giving some friendly advice :D
speedfreaksguy
11-02-2006, 09:24 AM
Originally posted by Sjorge300EX
Would I be better off running this in both sides of the motor? Or should I stick with the 10w-40 Havoline in the crank and use the Rotela in the clutch? Any suggestions are welcome.


Shell Rotella T is suitable for both sides of your engine. I use the 15w 40 non synthetic in my motor and all of the motors I build. Good stuff...
speedfreaksguy
11-02-2006, 09:28 AM
Originally posted by RedRacer44
Is this the Rotella automotive oil that you are speaking about it? If so, I wouldnt recommend using the stuff in the TRX. I work at a Honda dealership and thats one of the biggest things we push on our customers is to not use automotive oil in the quads....



Of course a Honda dealership is gonna tell you to use their oil. They don't sell Rotella.....

They'll also tell you to put a bunch of oil on a new piston before you install it, and to baby it on break in. Phhhht
ghott
11-02-2006, 09:30 AM
Originally posted by speedfreaksguy
Of course a Honda dealership is gonna tell you to use their oil. They don't sell Rotella.....

They'll also tell you to put a bunch of oil on a new piston before you install it, and to baby it on break in. Phhhht

Precisely.

Rotella is GREAT stuff period.

GN4 is not synthetic. This type of oil breaks down almost immediately after the engine is started. Synthetic oil is great!
Chino886
11-02-2006, 09:31 AM
RedRacer44-" I work at a Honda dealership and thats one of the biggest things we push on our customers is to not use automotive oil in the quads...."

What is the difference of the Honda oil and other automotive oils? Please do not insult our intelligence and post MOLY!
RedRacer44
11-02-2006, 09:57 AM
I dont have any issues with Rotella...I use it in my Dodge cummins, its great stuff, I just dont know about using it in my quad.

My comments were based on NOT what I've been told while working at the dealership but what I've encountered since I've been riding/racing the 450R which was long before I began working at my Honda shop. I was just stating what has worked well for me and what I've seen in my experiences...

In my experiences....I've seen motors that grenaded or clutches that were burnt up while the rider was using an automotive style oil in the engine. These motors really didnt have a considerable amount of time on them at all and the oil was changed on a regular basis. The shops that did the work (not a Honda shop) said in these instances that it was an oil based failure. I've also known a couple of guys that were complaining of the clutch slipping abnormally who were using automotive oil and when advised to switch to motorcycle oil....there wasnt any problems with the clutch slipping after switching to a motorcycle oil...

I'm just stating what I've seen in my experiences at the race track.....

Now I remember why I quit posting to this site.....EVERYONE is an expert on here....

Have a nice day :D
Chino886
11-02-2006, 10:00 AM
Originally posted by RedRacer44
Now I remember why I quit posting to this site.....EVERYONE is an expert on here....

Have a nice day :D

I was not saying I am an expert!

I just wanted to know WHY! I thought that was fair!

I wasn't attacking you at all!
jlm996s
11-02-2006, 11:09 AM
I use Rotella in both sides of mine....works great and cheap too. I also have a Rekluse.
chris46250r
11-02-2006, 12:47 PM
Originally posted by speedfreaksguy
Shell Rotella T is suitable for both sides of your engine. I use the 15w 40 non synthetic in my motor and all of the motors I build. Good stuff...


Me too. No problems ever.
Sjorge450R
11-02-2006, 08:03 PM
so what grade should I get for it? 15w-30 or 10-40?
Gumby46
11-03-2006, 03:04 AM
15w40
chad502ex
11-03-2006, 06:08 AM
15W40 on tranny side.
5W40 on engine side after breakin

i use it in all my builds. awesome oil imo.

$4/qt or $14.83/gal Walmart
Gumby46
11-03-2006, 06:19 AM
I also add 70cc of Moly additive to my engine side only.
speedfreaksguy
11-03-2006, 08:26 AM
Originally posted by chad502ex
15W40 on tranny side.
5W40 on engine side after breakin

i use it in all my builds. awesome oil imo.

$4/qt or $14.83/gal Walmart


Is that for the synthetic stuff?? I buy it by the case (the non synthetic) at Sam's club for alot less. The 15w40 works great in both sides, no need to buy different weights.
Gumby46
11-03-2006, 08:43 AM
Running Syn in your engine side is generally considered a good idea. As opposed to the tranny.
mymastifftucker
11-03-2006, 08:52 AM
I always thought that you were supposed to use a motorcycle oil too. Regular SAE automotive oil is designed to protect engines at much lower RPM than a TRX is going to turn. A car or truck may redline at 5000-7000 RPM, and the TRX is closer to 10,000. You also are not going to keep your car tached right out all the time like a quad. IF it works for you guys thats great I guess, but why would honda put right in the owners manual to use the purpose made ATV/motorcycle oils? I use Spectro in my 450 and my GSXR, maybe I dont need to, but for the price of a new motor, I'll splurge for the Spectro. Just my opinion, and they're like buttholes right (everyone has one).
Sjorge450R
11-03-2006, 09:34 AM
Originally posted by mymastifftucker
I always thought that you were supposed to use a motorcycle oil too. Regular SAE automotive oil is designed to protect engines at much lower RPM than a TRX is going to turn. A car or truck may redline at 5000-7000 RPM, and the TRX is closer to 10,000. You also are not going to keep your car tached right out all the time like a quad. IF it works for you guys thats great I guess, but why would honda put right in the owners manual to use the purpose made ATV/motorcycle oils? I use Spectro in my 450 and my GSXR, maybe I dont need to, but for the price of a new motor, I'll splurge for the Spectro. Just my opinion, and they're like buttholes right (everyone has one).

because they want you to buy HONDA oil....:eek2:
mymastifftucker
11-03-2006, 10:10 AM
I run Mobil 1 in both my truck and my wifes tahoe. The price difference from that to the ATV/motocycle oils is not that much.
Flynbryan19
11-03-2006, 11:11 AM
The rotella doesn't have the friction modifiers that are in most auto oils. The friction modifiers are what makes these oils bad for wet clutch applications. The Rotella T oil is a diesel oil and does not contain these modifiers. This has been discussed millions of times on this site. Search through the archives and you'll find TONS of threads on it.
buck naked-r
11-04-2006, 12:40 AM
it just doesn't get any better than this

SUPER SLICK
Sjorge450R
11-04-2006, 04:40 PM
just got some 15w-40 to run in my 300ex....I'll let you guys know how it looks after wards compared to regualr oil.
AtvMxRider
11-04-2006, 05:02 PM
Anybody have a picture of the container it comes in? I think it's the same oil I use at work.
Gumby46
11-06-2006, 04:36 AM
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0002KKZHQ.01-ADG953YR6NRBF._SS400_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1108726048_.jpg
11-06-2006, 10:34 AM
i used that stuff in my toyota pickup truck and did not like it at all. seemed to use a lot of it and the valvoline I run doesnt use anywhere near as much. Ill stick to my mobile 1 syn in engine and honda tranny fluid
parkers30
11-13-2006, 10:09 AM
what weight would you guys recommend for a 400ex or YFZ where the same oil is used for both sides?

10w40?
Chino886
11-13-2006, 10:23 AM
I think the one that everyone uses is 15w-40 in the white bottle as pictured above
treake
11-13-2006, 01:31 PM
Like most, I run the Rotella in my diesel. It's good stuff but, personally, I wouldn't run it in my quad. If your looking for a good inexpensive oil to run in your quad then look at Kendall GT-1. It's very reasonable. If you were to call Curtis Sparks Racing, this is one of the oils they would recommend. The other would be the Honda oil. If Sparks feels it's good enough to put into his race engines, then you know it's good. As far as the weight is concerned, run 10w 40 in the winter and 20w 50 in the summer. Basically, the 20w 50 is quite a bit thicker and if you do a lot of winter riding, it makes it harder to turn over when it gets really cold. Everyone on here offers good insight but before taking their professional opinion on an oil for your quad, why not call Sparks, Baldwin, Dasa or any other professional engine buillder and get their opinion. I'd rather get a professionals opinion and possibly pay a little more in oil costs, then to pay a lot more in rebuilding costs.
dober250R
11-13-2006, 02:02 PM
Rotella=over-rated! Just get some good ol Klotz.........
Flynbryan19
11-13-2006, 02:14 PM
Originally posted by dober250R
Rotella=over-rated! Just get some good ol Klotz.........

Tell me your not talking abou the motorcycle Klotz oil......? I'm sure its not less expensive than Rotella.:rolleyes:
rooster300ex
11-25-2006, 11:20 AM
Rotella 15-40 is safe for wet clutches because it doesn't contain moly like all the other car oils.