OILS... just a little poll

[The Buddha]

OK I use the cheapest stuff I can get ... which is Accel 10W40 at walmart, used to be 74 cents a bottle, now its 88 cents a bottle ... But here is the thing ... I'd use it even if it cost more than the rest ... OK maybe not if it cost more than Rotella ... The reason is ... that oil is formulated to 1990 SAE standards, aka ... its like SF rated, not SG, or SH or SI or what ever ... aka lots of additives, like zinc, phosphorus copper etc as well as other cool stuff ... newer means less of that ... meaning less ashy exhaust cloggin up sensors ... WTF No sensors so I burn stuff that rich in ashy stuff ...  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.

[Kerry]

It's true -- the GS500E owner's manual recommends oil rated at API Service SE or SF (minimum).

Unfortunately, I can't find my owner's manual at the moment.  But the Haynes manual confirms it in the Recommended lubricants and fluids section of this Maintenance Specs page.


As for Accel oil, here's what the back of the bottle says:

[marc]

Amalie XLO FLEET SHPD

Yep! it's a SHPD (Super High Performance DIESEL)! but its
formulation to work in lubrication of turbines (revved to 40Krpm)
and its weight of 15W40 makes me think that it's OK for my GS500.


meet or exceed the CI-4/SL API Service Classifications; Global DHD-1; and JASO DH-1. Amalie XLO Heavy Duty Fleet engine oils are recommended for use wherever MIL L 2104-G and MIL L 46152-E are recommended; wherever Allison C-3 and C-4 fluids and Caterpillar TO-2 are recommended or required; and are recommended for use wherever the following European approval standards are specified: ACEA A3, A2, A1 / B3, B2, B1 / E5, E3,E2 and E1.

[gsJack]

Mobil Delvac 1300

[Jarno]

I'm running Castrol GPS 15W40 MC engine oil. Horribly expensive, but my uncle told me to use it. They use the same stuff on the nearly-street-legal R-bikes that frequent his bike shop.

For that bit of oil and some other work-up I did a day's worth of slave-labor for his shop... he runs bike import business and does maintenance work on most of the bikes he's imported - and some odds'n sods like mine.

I really can say that he's The Authority I listen to when it comes to motorcycles, though I've seen some really solid info on this fine board too!

-J

[nathanael]

Cool, I think I'm going to try that Accel stuff next time I change my oil. At 88 cents a bottle you can't really beat that price, and Srinath's explanation makes a lot of sense about why it would be a good oil to use for our bikes too. I like when things can be both good and cheap (yes, it is possible!), instead of buying that 4 dollar Suzuki oil from my dealer.   [/i]

[banner]

hmm..that says minimum rating though. I wonder if the accell stuff is healthy for the engine since it hasn't been fully purified.

who knows though...

A question i had though..does 10w 30 work well on the gs500e engine??

[snap-on]

what does the w stand for "10w-40"

[weaselnoze]

i think it stands for weight.

[Kerry]

Actually, it stands for Winter.

Multi-viscosity oils are thinner when cold, and then thicken as they heat up.  So, a 10W40 oil starts out acting like 10-weight (which is good when you're trying to give the engine parts their initial coating of oil at startup).  By the time you've ridden a few miles, it's acting like 40-weight.

[Venom]

I Use shell Rotellla-T 15w-40.  I seems to work great plus its not all that expensive if you buy it in the gal container.  Picked some up yesterday at Wal Mart for 6.87 a gallon (4 quarts)

[gs500fromnb]

Amsoil here... I like the results and wont switch back. Expensive but I figure IF it really does improve my engine life its worth it.

[rtcpenguin]

Why do people use 15W40 as opposed to 10W40? Is 15W40 better for winter?

[ashman]

Just call me an idiot but I still go to the dealer for my 10-40 suzuki brand oil. Yes it cost more, but it keeps me in good standing w/ the guys down there. They are always more willing to help you w/ advice and what not when they see you regularly and drop some $$$ each month.

-ash

[natedawg120]

I use 10w40 castrol full synthetic.

[callmelenny]

Why do people use 15W40 as opposed to 10W40? Is 15W40 better for winter?

A lot of people are using Rotella which only comes as 30W or 15/40 as far as I know. Rotella is favored by some folks like me b/c it has a long  history of favor by diesel engine folks.  So I think it is more of choice of Rotella than a choice of 15/40

[JustinNoob]

Gotta go with the baby oil, ooh yea.....

[pandy]

Gotta go with the baby oil, ooh yea.....

Sesame-seed oil...it doesn't have as "greasy" a feel to it...the Baby G like that smooth, non-greasy feeling.

[rtcpenguin]

Why do people use 15W40 as opposed to 10W40? Is 15W40 better for winter?

A lot of people are using Rotella which only comes as 30W or 15/40 as far as I know. Rotella is favored by some folks like me b/c it has a long  history of favor by diesel engine folks.  So I think it is more of choice of Rotella than a choice of 15/40

So do you think adding 15W40 would be a bad idea since winter is coming (or already here)?

[phire]

As for Accel oil, here's what the back of the bottle says:

Hey, cool it was bottled here in Omaha, Nebraska.