is it bad to use car oil if its the right viscosity?

[quader400]

well i used car oil and my friends said its bad to use it but i dont see why i should spend like 5-6 bucks more per bottle just for quad oil thats the same viscosity and everything. so is it bad thanks?

[phebus]

You don't want to use oil with friction modifiers in it. Not good for the clutch.

[JD400exrider]

Originally posted by quader400
well i used car oil and my friends said its bad to use it but i dont see why i should spend like 5-6 bucks more per bottle just for quad oil thats the same viscosity and everything. so is it bad thanks?


Might be the same viscosity but not "everthing"
Some of the car oils have modifiers in it that will NOT WORK with a wet clutch. You don't have to spend 5-6 bucks for all the oil out there. There are different Non Synthetic oils made that are under 5-6 bucks. Do a search you will learn allot more. :cool:

[trikemoto85]

Friction modifiers are bad........:eek:

[rideREDrider]

car oils are made just for the engine, on four wheelers you have to have oil made for the engine and tranny.

[xcracer01]

you need to run oil weight 40 or above like 10w40 or 15w40 0r just plain 40 weight .If you want auto oil . This weight oil does not have all the conservation products in them... Ihave run penzoil 40w for many years no problem.

[wilkin250r]

I'm pretty sure most petroleum-based automotive oils do not have friction modifiers, while most synthetics DO have friction modifiers, except for the synthetic motorcycle oils.

Notice the first three words, "I'm pretty sure". I'm not absolutely sure on that one.

[yellerfour00]

cant u run moble 1 red cap
???

[Bennyboy400ex]

Originally posted by xcracer01
you need to run oil weight 40 or above like 10w40 or 15w40 0r just plain 40 weight .If you want auto oil . This weight oil does not have all the conservation products in them... Ihave run penzoil 40w for many years no problem.
Me too, I've been running 10w40 for four years without a single problem.

[04'400ex'er]

The mechanics at my delarship told me when i bought my 400ex that synthetic car oil is the best if you must use car oil, but automotive oil is not formulated for high tempertures that motorcycles and atv's run at.

[2004TRX450R]

It's not the heat it is the sheer point. Auto oils aren't designed to run in gears with high load like in the trannys in our ATVs. It is best to use motorcycle oil in your quad. Also what is $5.00 or $10.00 to change the oil for how often you have to change it? Don't be a cheap skate and get the right stuff and be done.

[AndrewRRR]

I thought Penzoil had friction reducing additives? I don't want my clutch to "work like liquid ball bearings", lol.
I ran Bel-Ray, then Redline, the switched to Amsoil after we found out Redline likes to separate in high HP engines, lol. This is on 2 strokes however.
I run Castrol GTX in the 4 banger (Casper).

[hondarider2006]

Originally posted by yellerfour00
cant u run moble 1 red cap
???


a majority of us on this site run it;)

[Ex'r Marlin]

I too run the "red cap" Mobil 1 full synthetic which I believe is 15W50.

To date, I have had no problems with my clutch on either machines.

I have used Honda semi-synthetic before and noticed no difference between that and Mobil 1 synthetic other than price.

I guess it has been a convience thing for me to get the Mobil 1, Pep boys around the corner from where I live.:rolleyes: