Rotella Users

[Jethroish]

Not trying to start a "which is best" thread. Just looking for some input from Rotella users.

 

Do you use RotellaT 15W40 or Syn 5W40?

What did you use before swithcing to Rotella? Did you notice any change in idle or shifting?

Same change intervals?

How long have you been using Rotella (miles)?

 

Right now I use Mobil 1 at 5000 mile intervals. Bike has 19,200 in 19 months. Take out winter months and it is more like 19,200 in 15 months.

 

Thanks

[wizard]

I started with the 5W40, and changed it every 3000 miles. I than tried out the 15W40 and did not notice much of a difference. Since I change my oil every 3000 miles or so, I stick with the cheaper 15W40.

[Celt]

Been using the 5W on my Triumph for years ,change every 6000 or so kms ,great stuff. havent had the RSV long enough to do my own oil change yet ,but i will be using the 5W for it also.

[ColoNavy]

I have used both Rotella Syn and Amsoil. Rotella Syn is a good product but Amsoil seems to be slightly quieter and smoother in the very hot or very cold operating environments. I change oil about every 4-5000 miles.

[cmiles3]

I've used RotellaT 15w40 several times in the last 4 years. I've used other brands, as available. I run 4,000 miles on an oil change. 47,000 miles in 50 months. I've used Yamaha brand oil, and other motorcycle brands, but no difference- yet.

[chollahan]

Syn 5w40. I have been running it for about 16,000 miles noe. Change my oil about every 4000 miles and it looks almost good as new when it comes out.

[Squidley]

I have used the 15W40 for many years on the Ventures. I have never had an issue with it and usually changed it out about 4K miles. It will let you know too when it needs to be changed, with the Dino it will start to shift just a bit harder. I have never used the synthetic version as i never had anything new enough until now.

[loehring]

I started with Rotella Syn on my '89. Sold it with 105k miles and you couldn't hear any valve noise at all. I never had the valves adjusted or did anything other than change every 5000k miles. I run the same now in my '07 and don't see any reason to change.

[Guest Angus]

How much oil is required for a oil change last bike required 4.26 qts 08 RSTD

[Jethroish]

How much oil is required for a oil change last bike required 4.26 qts 08 RSTD

 

 

Without going and pulling the book out, I think it is 3 qts and 28 ounces. (4 ounces short of a full 4 qts)

[royalstarjac]

How much oil is required for a oil change last bike required 4.26 qts 08 RSTD

3 1/2 with filter change.

[KiteSquid]

That is close.... I fill mine half way up the sight glass.

 

I have read here at the fourms that if you fill it to the top of the glass, you mihgt get blow by out of the crank case vents.

 

I have not measured the volume of oil required to fill the filter an the sight glass to the half way point.

[Guest Angus]

Thanks I haven't had my first service yet but I know i will be useing Rotella T

[Mariner Fan]

Is this what the bottle of Rotella Synthetic looks like?

 

http://www.shell.com/static/rotella-en/images/products/synth_cj4.jpg

 

I don't want to get the wrong stuff.

[Jethroish]

Is this what the bottle of Rotella Synthetic looks like?

 

http://www.shell.com/static/rotella-en/images/products/synth_cj4.jpg

 

I don't want to get the wrong stuff.

 

Yep, that's it. I use it in my diesel pickup: 8 qts regular Rotella and 2 qts Syn.

[Squidley]

3 1/2 with filter change.

 

 

[wild hair 39]

been reading these threads,just what is the determing facter for oil changes,have had 3 high milage bikes,89 vr,165,000,86vr 145,000,pc 800,90,000,and now 94 voyager,128,000 mls,been running rotella 15/40 syn,changing oil at 10 to 12,000 mls,none of the bikes used oil be tween changes,but ths 89vr would use oil every once in while,maybe a half qt,in 2 to 3,000,then maybe next time,it would be 6 to 8,000 mls

 

same thing for my caravans,94,235,000 used qt 4 to 6,000,98 176,000,bout qt 6 to 8,000,03 215,000,bout qt 6 to 8,000,,now 02 10,000 mls half qt low,running moble 1 high milage in these

 

so what is your imput

Edited March 2, 2009 by wild hair 39

[MiCarl]

I believe the 15W40 Rotella is mineral oil. The 5W40 is the synthetic.

 

I read an article where the author (a chemist I believe) did tests of oils in his motorcycle. To summarize without getting too technical:

 

A multi-weight mineral oil achieves this property by using additive molecules that ball up when cold but stretch out when hot. The stretched out molecules give the extra viscosity warm to boost the top number. Motorcycle transmissions break those additive molecules.

 

His testing showed that those additive molecules were well broken down by 700 miles. So, an oil that started out as 15W40 might be more like 15W25 after 700 miles.

 

Synthetic oils get the broader viscosity range largely by the uniformity of the petroleum molecules in the oil, much less additive is used so it doesn't loose viscosity like the mineral oils.

 

Personally, I use a 15W40 and try to change it out by 1000 miles. I figure I could change less frequently with synthetic, but the oil costs double what mineral oil runs. My reasoning is that at similar cost I can have clean oil every 1000 miles.

[wild hair 39]

you are right,5w 40 blue jug

 

 

I believe the 15W40 Rotella is mineral oil. The 5W40 is the synthetic.

 

I read an article where the author (a chemist I believe) did tests of oils in his motorcycle. To summarize without getting too technical:

 

A multi-weight mineral oil achieves this property by using additive molecules that ball up when cold but stretch out when hot. The stretched out molecules give the extra viscosity warm to boost the top number. Motorcycle transmissions break those additive molecules.

 

His testing showed that those additive molecules were well broken down by 700 miles. So, an oil that started out as 15W40 might be more like 15W25 after 700 miles.

 

Synthetic oils get the broader viscosity range largely by the uniformity of the petroleum molecules in the oil, much less additive is used so it doesn't loose viscosity like the mineral oils.

 

Personally, I use a 15W40 and try to change it out by 1000 miles. I figure I could change less frequently with synthetic, but the oil costs double what mineral oil runs. My reasoning is that at similar cost I can have clean oil every 1000 miles.

[frogmaster]

Works great at @ 0 degree F

 

[Helihead]

i use the rotella t 5-40 and change every two thousand miles. i know its alot but oil is cheeper than a motor. there is a artical called the oil guy i think and he says regular oil breaks down from clutch and gear sheer in about one thousand miles so you should never use it. use only syn and do not mix because you are adding the oil that breaks down eaisily. i will try to find the link and add later.

[FROG MAN]

I use Rotella Syn 5W40 in just about everything. All three ventures get an oil change once a year. That usually 2-4K each. I use it in both Atv's,Troybilt generator,My old Cub 154 tractor,etc. So far no problems ever. I prefer the Syn and Wally worlds sells it for a decent price. I still use Amsoil Syn in my pickup and the wife uses Mobile 1 Syn in here truck.No complaints with any of them. My last company truck I used Valvoline full syn and it still running for one of the other guys with over 300k on the original motor.

Edited March 3, 2009 by FROG MAN

[dr_bar]

I'm using the 5-40 synth and I'm having no problems, the only thing I would recommend is not to switch to synth until the engine is fully broken in. Talking to a race mechanic, he said the synth won't let the engine get a full break in...

[Jethroish]

Finally did my oil change today. Ran Mobil1 MC oil for the last 4500 miles. It did not look too dirty.

New filter and Rotella Syn 5w40. And about $20 cheaper than the Mobil1.