uechi kid Posted August 19, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2011 I want to make a switch to Rotella T6 but I can only find it in 5W-40. The owners manual says 10W-xx is the minimum for the lower viscosity. Is 5W-40 OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted August 19, 2011 Share #2 Posted August 19, 2011 I want to make a switch to Rotella T6 but I can only find it in 5W-40. The owners manual says 10W-xx is the minimum for the lower viscosity. Is 5W-40 OK? Depends on temperatures in your area. I wouldn't at this time here in Vancouver as it's still too warm (geeesh... did I actually say that? LOL) ... IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillrider Posted August 19, 2011 Share #3 Posted August 19, 2011 STP oil Treatment is essentially a viscosity improver. Adding 3/4 bottle ought to bring it up to 10w50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted August 19, 2011 Share #4 Posted August 19, 2011 STP oil Treatment is essentially a viscosity improver. Adding 3/4 bottle ought to bring it up to 10w50 I would be concerned about STP's effect on a wet clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uechi kid Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted August 19, 2011 From what I've read about multi-viscosity oils, the light weight viscosity is for cold weather starting and running in cold weather. As the engine warms up or the weather warms up the viscosity changes (gets thicker). It seem to me that if I'm using an oil that's 5W-40, and it's 80 degrees out, that oil is thicker than 5W. And as the engine gets warm, regardless of the ambient temperature, the oil will reach the 40 viscosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted August 19, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 19, 2011 From what I've read about multi-viscosity oils, the light weight viscosity is for cold weather starting and running in cold weather. As the engine warms up or the weather warms up the viscosity changes (gets thicker). It seem to me that if I'm using an oil that's 5W-40, and it's 80 degrees out, that oil is thicker than 5W. And as the engine gets warm, regardless of the ambient temperature, the oil will reach the 40 viscosity. Well, you do whatever you feel OK with. As I said in my prev post.... I wouldn't and you asked the Q ... seems you already have your own answer. I guess the way I look at it is ... why would Yamaha recommend 10w30 for temps ranging from 10 degrees F to over 90 F ??? I use 10w40 this time of year and in the winter I swap it out to something less than 10 just because it is easier on the engine for cold starting .... Having said that, I suppose someone will concur with you and that is not to say that I disagree either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flb_78 Posted August 19, 2011 Share #7 Posted August 19, 2011 Plenty of folks are using the Rotella T6 with no problems. It's only available in 5w40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jactana Posted August 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted August 19, 2011 Its awesome oil, I've run it in my last 3 bikes, my Porsche 944S2, and Ford Ranger. The lower viscosity number isn't relevant as it's only that light at around 35 degrees F. Here's an excellent oil link. http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html Ron:322: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted August 20, 2011 Share #9 Posted August 20, 2011 From what I've read about multi-viscosity oils, the light weight viscosity is for cold weather starting and running in cold weather. As the engine warms up or the weather warms up the viscosity changes (gets thicker). It seem to me that if I'm using an oil that's 5W-40, and it's 80 degrees out, that oil is thicker than 5W. And as the engine gets warm, regardless of the ambient temperature, the oil will reach the 40 viscosity. I thought Oil gets THINNER as it warms up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art708 Posted August 20, 2011 Share #10 Posted August 20, 2011 As slick as STP is I sure wouldn't put it in my wet clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthandy Posted August 20, 2011 Share #11 Posted August 20, 2011 I thought Oil gets THINNER as it warms up Nope...multi-viscosity oil gets thicker to "stick" to the metal better as things get hot. When it gets cold, the oil "thins" out to allow parts to move more easily until they warm up. Put in straight 50W oil in the winter and your engine might not be able to spin fast enough to start due to the resistance of the "thicker" oil (Technically speaking, it isn't getting thinner or thicker but more or less "viscous"). On the other hand, run some straight 5W when temps are in the 90's and your engine would wear heavily and possibly even seize up, depending on conditions. At least, that's how it has been explained to me over the years. By the way, that's really only true for multi-viscosity oils (5W40, 10W30, etc). Straight viscosity oils normally maintain their original viscosity Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uechi kid Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted August 20, 2011 Well, you do whatever you feel OK with. As I said in my prev post.... I wouldn't and you asked the Q ... seems you already have your own answer. I guess the way I look at it is ... why would Yamaha recommend 10w30 for temps ranging from 10 degrees F to over 90 F ??? I use 10w40 this time of year and in the winter I swap it out to something less than 10 just because it is easier on the engine for cold starting .... Having said that, I suppose someone will concur with you and that is not to say that I disagree either. I haven't made up my mind, that's why I started this post. The above response was simply the way it seems to me. I've been known to be wrong before, believe me. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3FOL Posted August 20, 2011 Share #13 Posted August 20, 2011 I still have 500miles to go before my next oil change. 15W40 dino Rotella is good to me. Just Sayin.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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