Engine Oil Weight Recommendation

[mrfuni]

First thing I did after getting my new Nomad was to study the manual. It seems Kawasaki recommends 10W40 oil. As I read through all the posts I see mention of 20W50, 5W40, etc, but does anyone use 10W40? Even Trip mentions 15W50 in FAQ. I live in Florida and drive mostly in hot weather. I am also looking to go synthetic.

What weight oil would you suggest?
Thanks
Joe

[blowndodge]

Thanks for asking Joe:

You can go to synthetics right away. Since you live in a warm climate like me (southern Cal) either 10/40 or 20/50 would be fine. I like shell rotella 5/40 WT because my Nomad is not as noisy at startup do to the fact that at 5wt it's an easier pumping oil when cold.

[mrfuni]

Thanks Brad. running 10W40 now. should I look to 20W50 next time? Kind of partial to Amsoil based on my success with my prevous cycle.

[blowndodge]

that would be fine.

<marquee> :-*</marquee>

[beezer]

I agree with BD

[toby]

My 05 Nomad has almost 50,000KM (30,000 Miles) on it and i've used every type of Oil. Amsoil, Royal Purple and a couple of others. Cost from $3.00 a litre for cheap oil up to $13.00 a litre for the synthetics. I've found absolutely no difference either in performance, or in the length of time it takes the oil to get dirty & absorbe moisture and contaminants. So what I've found to be the best solution in my humble opinion, is simply to change your oil & filter every month or 5000 KM, (3000 miles) with any 10W40 motorcycle oil, and keep it clean. I use a klear force oil magnet as well to trap any minute metal shavings in the filter. And I also clean the filter screen every time. This way, I can change my oil 3 or 4 times for the cost of one change with an expensive synthetic. Hope this helps. Toby

I have to say I really like the rotella T synthetic. I've noticed a couple of positive things. I don't get the cold startup jerk as bad and the shift is a lot smoother. At 16 bucks a gallon at walmart its not much more than regular oil. I'll stick with my annual oil change schedule.

[dogdoc]

shell rotella changed annually here too, wolfie.

[beezer]

That Rotella Syn is absolutely the biggest bang for the buck and will most likely work in ANY vehicle. I wish the low number was 10 though.

Mobil 1 15w-50 grey cap
Rotella syn 5w-40 Diesel
Castrol HM 20w-50 dyno


http://kawanow.proboards77.com/index...896#1187894961

[Top Cat]

Wolfy and Doc, you guys only change your oil and filter once a year? How many miles do you guys put on in that time? Just curious.

Well, the manual only calls for oil changes every 7500 miles. In my saturn I have 116, 000 miles on it and I have completely stopped changing the oil. I change the filter once a year and I ADD oil as needed. I use the mobil 1 Gold Cap in my car it is guarenteed for 15,000 miles and since I add more than 4 quarts every 15000 miles I don't see the point in changing it and its still running perfect.

[audiogooroo]

Well, the manual only calls for oil changes every 7500 miles. In my saturn I have 116, 000 miles on it and I have completely stopped changing the oil. I change the filter once a year and I ADD oil as needed. I use the mobil 1 Gold Cap in my car it is guarenteed for 15,000 miles and since I add more than 4 quarts every 15000 miles I don't see the point in changing it and its still running perfect.

That's the way my son's Montero is...sort of a perpetual oil change. :)

[ringadingh]

I use 10w 40 in spring and fall, switching to 20w50 in July & August. It gets changed every 3000 miles, about 3 times a season. I like to know that it has a fresh oil and filter on it every couple of months. I also have a magnet stuck on my oil filter to help trap particles in the filter as well.