Oil question

[Fredd]

So can I use auto oils in my wheeler? My '87 Honda had listed auto oils with certain qualifications that were acceptable at the time of its manufacture. I would like to run 5-30 synthetic year round. For my '04 Cat, I use 0-40 AC syn, but I am wondering if I need to continue to use Honda oil in the Honda.

[Wavey Davey]

If you go back a couple pages you'll find my thread "another oil question" which I asked almost the same question. I have an old Honda and took the advice given here and went with Amsoil synthetic 0-40 ATV 4-stroke oil.

[ChuckN]

Use the regular oil in the Honda's if it has an auto-wet clutch, like my Foreman 450S. I ran 0-40 Amsoil for years and it made the clutch act strange, so I switched back to Honda oil to be safe. I learned on here, and the dealer, that synthetic not recommended with wet clutch designs. It's too bad, it was great cold weather oil!

[theoilman]

It is not a matter of synthetic or not. Most ATVs prefer or require synthetics today.

But do not use today's automotive engine oils in anything with a wet clutch. Today's automotive engine oils have friction modifiers which will cause wet clutch problems.

The oil needs to have a "JASO" rating of MA or MB on the label to be a wet clutch compatible oil.

The AMSOIL 4-stroke 0W-40 is wet clutch compatible with a JASO MA/MA2 rating, recommended for most ATVs, UTVs, and similar 4-stroke machines.

[Fredd]

I know my arty is a wet clutch and assuming that the '87 250 Honda is not since it is a manual shift?? Am I right here??

[Wavey Davey]

You said manual shift. Do you have a clutch lever that you pull in when shifting gears or do you have what I would call an automatic clutch, just let up on the throttle when shifting?

[trapperdirk]

I have heard that some Hondas dont like amsoil but my bike is a semi auto yamaha and warms up to be smooth yet not overheat .

You also don't hear that chug and barely turn over noise after the beast has sat out all day on the ice ..Yes I carry a power pack just in case the battery wears out in the flashers . LOL

I shouldn't jump in and praise it so much nor am I a rep . I just like the product amsoil . hehe

It is intended for wet clutches too ,No friction modifiers is what all manufacturer specs call for .

I'll stop now .

TD

[Fredd]

Wavey, I would have what you referred to as the auto clutch.

[Wavey Davey]

Then there's still a clutch of sorts. Regular automotive synthetic oil should not be used.