Advice on Engine Oil During Winter

[RonH]

Walmart 10w40 Valvoline synthetic is about $7 a quart and works real good. I can't say any difference over conventional oil, but for the few bucks difference every 4,000 miles might as well use synthetic I figure. Of course a million different views on weight, but personally I would never use a 5w40 even if it acts like a 40w at high temp, and 15w40 marginal in cold weather, 20w50 too thick for cold weather.

 

[ballisticexchris]

tell chris, who owes me, or the pic of 0w20 .... or a coffee
or come with Chris and we make a face to face, but with the photo of the 0w20. I just started, have time
View attachment 54629View attachment 54630

For a meal like that I'll trade you for a few bottles of 300V!!

 

[Jlq1969]

For a meal like that I'll trade you for a few bottles of 300V!!

It's late already, but who knows, someday .....

 

[Mzee]

I have settled on the Motul 7100

 

[ballisticexchris]

I have settled on the Motul 7100

You can't go wrong on that oil. Right now I'm using the Motul mineral oil until about 6000 miles or so. Then I'll go with my Motul 300V.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Hmm, I might actually go with Motul 7100 like yourself. The 300V has served me well on my Beta. But it gets beat to crap in extreme conditions. For everyday normal riding the specs on the Motul 7100 look to be the hot ticket.

 

[Mzee]

Update:

I settled on Motul 5100 10W40 Semi-synthetic. I changed t a couple of days ago. The only difference I noticed is that my engine felt like when I had just bought the bike -- like a new engine. But it runs fine.

 

[Eville Rich]

I used motul 7100 10w40 for my first two oil changes. My last oil change I went to the dealer just to help maintain my extended warranty. They argued that Yamaha might not like it if I didn't use Yamalube (which I think is made by Motul). Rather than argue, I accepted the 10w50 fill. Didn't like it as much. I've noticed a bit higher fuel consumption and the engine just feels like it's working a little harder. Sounds different. Very subtle and maybe my imagination. I also ride in pretty cold temps in WI. Down to 25F. And it doesn't get into the '90s much, so I don't see the point of 50 oil.

I'm also not too impressed with my dealer. On my check up with 10W50 they said there was no air filter on the form (written in pen). I'm giving them one more shot and then having an extended conversation with them if I see that crap again.

I'll add that Motul 7100 smells sort of nice compared to other oil. Try putting a dab behind your ear and see what the significant other thinks.

Eville Rich

 

[HeliMark]

I used motul 7100 10w40 for my first two oil changes. My last oil change I went to the dealer just to help maintain my extended warranty. They argued that Yamaha might not like it if I didn't use Yamalube (which I think is made by Motul). Rather than argue, I accepted the 10w50 fill. Didn't like it as much. I've noticed a bit higher fuel consumption and the engine just feels like it's working a little harder. Sounds different. Very subtle and maybe my imagination. I also ride in pretty cold temps in WI. Down to 25F. And it doesn't get into the '90s much, so I don't see the point of 50 oil.

I'm also not too impressed with my dealer. On my check up with 10W50 they said there was no air filter on the form (written in pen). I'm giving them one more shot and then having an extended conversation with them if I see that crap again.

I'll add that Motul 7100 smells sort of nice compared to other oil. Try putting a dab behind your ear and see what the significant other thinks.

Eville Rich

Gotta love some dealers. Yamaha really doesn't care (or can tell you per fed law) what type of oil you use, as long as it meets the specs in the manual. Just sounds like a dealer trying to sell you on what makes them more money. Not sure why you have to have them check your bike for the extended warranty to be in effect.

 

[taskmaster86]

My last oil change I went to the dealer just to help maintain my extended warranty. They argued that Yamaha might not like it if I didn't use Yamalube (which I think is made by Motul). Rather than argue, I accepted the 10w50 fill. Didn't like it as much. I've noticed a bit higher fuel consumption and the engine just feels like it's working a little harder. Sounds different. Very subtle and maybe my imagination. I also ride in pretty cold temps in WI. Down to 25F. And it doesn't get into the '90s much, so I don't see the point of 50 oil.

I'm also not too impressed with my dealer. On my check up with 10W50 they said there was no air filter on the form (written in pen). I'm giving them one more shot and then having an extended conversation with them if I see that crap again.

Eville Rich

10w-50 is way too heavy for 25F degrees! If you really do ride below 40F, you should be using 5w-40 or a synthetic 10w-40 at the most.

The other stuff about the warranty and the air filter is complete B.S. and I would NOT go back to that dealer for anything. Hopefully the "No air filter" was just an abbreviation for they didn't check it, not that they literally believe this engine has no air filter....

In simpler words, yeah I would not have accepted 10w-50, nor would I bother going back there.

 

[Sierra1]

....Just sounds like a dealer trying to sell you on what makes them more money.....

Very likely. That's ONE of the reasons I like my dealer. All the techs use good ol' Yamalube; even in their cars. They don't try to sell the most expensive, just what they have found works best.