Rotella T - you guys are using wrong weight!

[oldtimer]

Well, the 2008 manual says to use 10w-30 or 20w-40 engine oil. I dont know if it's different for the other model years.

If it's the same for all the model years, then why are some of you comfortable with ignoring the yamaha engineer's recommendation and using 5w-40 and 15w-40 oils?

The argument can be made to use lighter weight oil when you're in a cold climate region so the oil isn't molasses when you first crank it up. However, since most of us run the bikes during the warmer months, you should really be sticking with the 20w-40 or 10w-30..

[wrightme43]

Because it doesnt matter.
It just doesnt matter at all.
This goes in the oil debate and flame war thread though. LOL

Ok to break it down.

Its 5 when its cold. So it flows quickly to the the moving parts. Oil is quickly heated at becomes a 40 weight oil just like the bike reccomends.

Wanna get all sorts of crazy?
I use 15w50 mobil one synth oil.
It just really really really doesnt matter.

Flame ON!!!!!!!! Oil debate Death Match is GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooo!!!!!!

I love oil debates.

No one ever changes thier mind no matter how many facts are presented!!!! Wooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

[urbanj]

using Shell oil specs and Shell oil only I come up with this.

The Rotella T mineral based 15w40 has a viscosity of 120 cSt at 40 degrees celsius and 15.7 cSt at 100 degrees celsius. Which means it's thick when cold and thinner when warm.

the 10w30's specs are 81 @ 40c and 12 @ 100c.

the synthetic 5w40 is 95@ 40c and 15.5 @ 100c.

meaning it will hold up just like the regular 15w40 but be thinner when cold. almost as thin as the 10w30.

Thinner cold oil is what you need. It warms up and circulates faster protecting the engine when it wears the most when cold. But don't let that fact that it's "thinner" fool you. its still way thicker then when its hot.

if multigrade oil wasn't advantageous everything would be using straight 30 or straight 40. and that stuff is thick.

[urbanj]

i love them too.

one last thing. it seems on shells website the only synthetic heavy duty oil they have now is the 5w40. which makes sense cause there is absolutely no reason to have the others.

ok done

[coursonap]

yamalube synthetic is a 15w-40 and it is recommended by yamaha for the fz6 on their website.

[FZ6inNH]

If it is wrong, my bike likes it. No complaints. AS with any oil, just stay out of the revs until it's warmed up!

[mglowe]

Oh please, stop!

I think you misunderstand the word "recommendation".

There are too many posts, in this Forum and on others Forums, that will provide information that warrants our choice of oil. I'm comfortable "ignoring the Yamaha Engineer's recommendation" because I know I am not hurting my engine using Shell's Rotella T oils. Other members do use other oils and they are perfectly fine oils too.

[wrightme43]

How are we going to have a oil flame war if you guys dont post in all the likely places to have a oil flame war?

I say Havoline oil just tastes awful on salad.

Take that!!!!

[kustom17]

soooo what oil would you recommend if you live in a warm climate say... where even at 4:30 in the morning it's mid 60's to 70's?

year round

[wrightme43]

Me? I would use mobil one.
From Alaska to the equator its the best.
It is also great on salad. Unlike that horrible Havoline.
Mobil one has a nutty flavor with a strong after taste of sweet pecans.