synthetic oil

[Guest]

I'm just starting to use my first snowmobile
1998 Artic CAT Panther 440. Is it ok to use
synthetic oil to cut down on smoke and smell
on clothes? Previous owner used Artic Cat
oil only. If so can I just add it to the existing oil in reservoir and what kind can
I use?

[Guest]

You can use synthetic. While it isn't recommended that you mix two different brands of oil, there really isn't much of a way to do it completely with losing your oil pump prime. In some rare cases, different oils have geled when mixed, and caused a burndown. These cases are extremely rare. You should be ok though, if you take some precautions. First, get out whatever oil that's already in there, out, or, run it down as low as you dare go, then refill it with the new brand of your choice. If you want to be sure about it getting enough lubrication until you know you are running all sythetic, add oil to your gas at a 100 to one ratio. That way, you know for sure it's getting lube. I would say at least on tank of gas, or, until you notice the oil level going down indicating you have consumtion from the oil tank.
As far as what brand to use, the store I work at carries three brands of synthetic, and the most popular seems to be the Amzoil Series 2000. This is great stuff, and remains probably the best value in synthetic oils on the market. If you want to spend a little more, like 4-5 bucks a gallon, you could run Klotz, but I don't think it's that much better than the Amzoil.
Good luck with your new sled

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[Guest]

Arctic Cat also makes a synthetic oil. Its called APV Synthetic and you should be able to put it in with the Arctic oil that is now in the tank.

[Mark Gangl]

I think Artic Cat makes its own synthetic oil