[oil for 400ex] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVs

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oil for 400ex
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Posted by: 400xrider

Is the mobile one with the red cap is that the same oil you can put in your car? I keep hearing about this oil just not sure which one it is. I saw mobile one with the red cap at napa but it did not say anything for atv use.

Posted by: MixMasterMike

yes..thats the stuff. I use it in my truck now too

Posted by: gregmercer

the guy at my local ATV shop said to never use car oil on your 4 wheeler, that it requires special oil since it uses the same oil for the clutch and the engine.... is this true?

Posted by: ExFamily

I heard that its not true. Its all the same oil its package for ATV's so they can mark it up 3 times more expensive.

Posted by: froride1

Not ture, you need to buy oil designed for motorcycles or ATVs. Car oil has friction modifiers that motorcycle oil doesn't have. The friction modifiers in car oil will make shifting dificult. It won't damage anything but you will be much happier with motorcycle oil. Cost shouldn't be an issue, you should be able to get motorcycle oil for nearly the same price as car oil.

Posted by: UMD400ex

The mobil one red cap is the same oil that you can use in your car if you'd like. The big difference that allows this "car" oil to be used on the 400ex's is that it's one of the oils that doesn't contain any friction modifiers. The friction modifiers are bad for the 400ex clutches because they'll just trash them. I always use the Mobil One with the red cap (15w50) just like tons of other 400ex owners and it works great. I havn't heard about a single problem with it.

Posted by: maggiesboy

standard car oil is not any good in an atv engine. the friction modifiers in standard oil will gum up the clutch. be a wise consumer, and READ the labels. If you ride your machine hard, you should be dumping your oil every ride anyway. Standard honda gn4 will suit your needs just fine, and it is only 3.00 per quart.

Posted by: MixMasterMike

mobile 1 is much higher quality then garbage GN4 and it also doesnt copntains any friction modifiers...run what you want inside your bike

Posted by: Destructo

I been running Castrol GTX 10w-40 oil in my XR200R ever since I rebuilt the whole motor and it doesn't seem to have hurt anything, sometimes the clutch will slip in 3rd, but I don't think it has to do with the oil. I didn't replace the clutch when I rebuilt it a few years ago because it was still in spec, I think the springs may be getting weak at this point, their the originals.

Posted by: buster369

everysingle person that i know that has a quad normally runs a higher grade 10W-40 and not a single one has had a problem with it. The motorcycle oil is just a way for the companys to make more money. I have a 93 300ex that has not run on motorcycle oil and still has the factory clucth and works great never a problem. I know they run it in 400ex warrior, 300ex, and i have a 300, z and rancher and have never had a single problem

Posted by: priebo15

yup, thats what i use 10w-40 i have never had a problem with it either

Posted by: K_Fulk

I use 20-50 kendall gt1 for $1.30 a quart.

Posted by: TC426EX

i find 20w50 to be a better oil to run in the EX motors since its a bit thicker and wont thin out and break down as quickly... Im sure the 15w50 red cap is similar.. I personally use GN4 (changed every 3 rides) but theres nothing wrong with using the red cap from what I gather. I have heard that once you start using a synthetic such as the red cap you need to keep using it...

Posted by: dirt308

I just put mobil one red cap in mine it works good but i just got the 400ex. What kind of oil filter do I use and does anyone know the numbers?