Viscosity Temp Chart

[Beltzington]

Wow, 1qt per five gallons now that is a thick ratio reminds me of better days when I spent more time doing and less time talking about things. I have no idea how I survived without the internet for so many years, more information is not always a positive thing.

 

[CalG]

I have no need to use a lawnmower when it is 0 F degrees outside and it rarely if ever gets over 105 F where I live therefore I use 10W40 Shell Rotella full synthetic in ALL my internal combustion engines even though my Honda car recommends 0W-20. I don't need the 0W since it doesn't get that cold here and I refuse to use a 20 weight in anything. I just want a little thicker oil at operating temps than 20W. If it costs me 1 MPG in fuel costs, so be it but my engine will last much longer with 10W40 than it will with 0W-20> That is just my opinion but my opinion is the one that counts when it comes to my personal equipment.

Right! It's just your opinion. Nothing more. Nothing based on reality, investigation, evidence or science. Lubrication is a tuff issue. Very SUBJECTIVE. I say, If it makes you feel good, It's the right choice, For you!

The Bolens tractor with a Kohler K series engine (23hp) is recommended to run on straight 30wt in all seasons.
"Use of other oil types may lead to excessive oil consumption." Go figure..

Thin oils generate less heat due to friction. Thus running cooler, Go figure.

I run 10-30 "store brand" in everything that burns fuel. Change oil when it looks dark. I've never experienced a lubrication related engine failure, and I'm pushing 250K on our "good car". With no fewer than 13 "Infernal corn-bustion engine drive machines to contend with. not counting chain saws and weed wackers. Go figure.

 

[big bubba]

therefore I use 10W40 Shell Rotella full synthetic in ALL my internal combustion engines g fowler
actually rotella T6 is 5/40
agree w/you i use it in everything i have that is 4 stroke. think OP would do well to use same

 

[Beltzington]

therefore I use 10W40 Shell Rotella full synthetic in ALL my internal combustion engines g fowler
actually rotella T6 is 5/40
agree w/you i use it in everything i have that is 4 stroke. think OP would do well to use same

Didn't Rotella stop making 10w40? RotellaT 10w40 used to carry C4 and SM API ratings, there replacement T4 no longer has the SM rating, there new multi-vehicle oil is 10-30. Interestingly enough Kawasaki branded blended oil is rated both C4 and SL.

Due to warranty concerns I am going to use the Kawasaki blended oil, it cost about the same as Rotella which I run in my truck and eliminates any loophole concerning the brand of oil. I still haven't decided if I am going to go with 10w40 or 20w50 either of which meets Kawasaki requirements for my local operating temperature.

 

[Beltzington]

I need to make a couple corrections about OEM's oil recommendation. I stumbled onto the attached service bulletin where Kawasaki does recommend 10w40 for V-Twin air-cooled engines and 20w50 if running high temperatures or to reduce oil usage, they also updated the viscosity chart to reflect this. The service bulletin does not effect the warranty however they have in-fact updated the owners manuals to reflect this change. The OM I had was not current. I will be using Kawasaki blended 10w40 K-Tech motor oil as it still has Zinc for wear protection which has or is being removed from other oils due to the negative effects on the catalytic converter.

That being said I spoke with someone who runs Kawasaki's motors for his lawn business and has put 1000's of hours on these engines, he uses over-the-counter 10w30 full synthetic and says they still look like new when disassembled. He lives in the mountains so his OAT would likely be 10-15 degrees cooler during the summer but clearly a good quality 10w30 synthetic is working well for many folks.

 

[big bubba]

just to say rotella t6 is a notch above the above oil choice in terms of temp variation as to warm operation or cold starts. plus a diesel rating. either works fine

 

[Beltzington]

just to say rotella t6 is a notch above the above oil choice in terms of temp variation as to warm operation or cold starts. plus a diesel rating. either works fine

No augment here, I run T6 in my Duramax, T6 is not a spark rated (SN) oil and would/could void the warranty.

 

[big bubba]

good point, it pays to do the homework

 

[CalG]

The last gas rating for 5W-40 T6 was API SM. The latest 5W-40 T6 is only diesel rated. However, there is now a 5W-30 T6 Multi-Vehicle oil that carries API CK-4 and SN ratings. I run T6 in everything I own, but I will start stocking the 5W-30 T6 and use it for everything.

I use "store branded" Amalie in everything with a sump . Diesel labels where required. It's the cheapest .....
Never a lubrication related failure. I think there are more than 17 rigs to keep track of, I can't be bothered with ratings!

 

[DieselBound]

"Cheapest" isn't necessarily a good thing to go by w/o proper research. The following site has plenty of examples of why (they've tested many "cheap" oils and found them to be deficient in meeting their stated ratings):

:The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

And, according to the following article, one probably should not overlook viscosity index (VI):
Don't Ignore Viscosity Index When Selecting a Lubricant

Based on the above resources I was able to decide on a replacement oil for Rotella T6 (pre-CK-4). I've got cars, tractors (one is newer, with a DPF, but, fortunately, factory specs a CJ4 oil), a truck, a UTV and a generator, all diesels, so it's a bit difficult to ID a suitable common oil across all these platforms.