ATV oil

Kid Shileen · Dec 8, 2019

Not a tractor question but I?m sure someone knows what type of oil I should use in my 2003 Arctic cat 500 4x4. Do I need atv oil or is motor oil ok. It is an automatic. Thanks in advance for any input.

dpendzic · Dec 8, 2019

for my Polaris i used to buy there brand ($)--until i read the manual closer and SH oil was recommended as a substitute at half the price!

Mule Meat · Dec 8, 2019

Best to call an Artic Cat dealer and ask. Some people say regular SAE 10W30/40 while others say to use only 0W30, 10W30/40 syn oil for wet clutches. Some say both work fine in both the engine and transmission while others say you need 90W in the transmission. I do know that the diesel modesl uses diesel engine oils while the transmission uses 90W hydoid oil.

Steve@Advance · Dec 8, 2019

Read the owners manual.

There should be some letter designation. Look for the same letters in the SAE circle on the container. The first letter will probably be an S (spark engine), or C (diesel or compression ignition) followed by another letter. The second letter is always superseded by a higher alphabetical letter, so if it says SJ, then SJ or higher will be approved.

If that information is not given, I would look into synthetic motorcycle oil of the correct weight. There may not be much saving though.

But, the oil they recommend is erred toward the safe side, as in being operated at high load, high speed. If you don't do that type driving, then about any synthetic oil of the correct weight will be safe.

Kid Shileen · Dec 8, 2019

I bought it used. No manuel. I?ll see if I can find one online. Thanks for the help.

Russ from MN · Dec 8, 2019

When you say automatic, do you mean belt drive? If so you can use automotive synthetic oil, because it doesn't have a wet clutch. I use regular 5-30 automotive oil in our Honda's, as they have wet clutches. In our motorcycles I use 10-40 full synthetic motorcycle oil as they have wet clutches. Synthetic motorcycle oil is designed for wet clutches, but it's expensive.

Ellis Kinney · Dec 8, 2019

Amsoil 0-W-40. Ellis

MarkB_MI · Dec 8, 2019

If it has a wet clutch of any sort, it's important to use an oil that has the JASO MA rating. Most automotive synthetics have friction modifiers that can cause problems with wet clutches. Motorcycle oils have the MA rating, obviously, but so do many "diesel oils". Rotella T6 is an excellent synthetic oil that's rated MA. And if you find it on sale, it's a lot cheaper than most motorcycle synthetics.

Mutt and Jeff · Dec 9, 2019

Per the owners manual on google it just says use 10w40 but that was almost 20 years ago.
Use any motorcycle ATV approved 10w40

or just choose one without the words energy conserving
most or many 10w40's do not have friction modifiers and it's more likely found on newer lighter oils
walmart plain 10w40 works for me

Destroked 450 · Dec 9, 2019

Been running Rotella 15w40 in my 03 Honda 450 Foreman since it's second oil change, only has 5200 miles on the clock.

Hotflashjr · Dec 9, 2019

We've been using the Amsoil ATV/UTV oils in our gator and the atv at the farm with no issues. You can likely buy a kit from them with the filter as well.

I found the amsoil oil change kit cheaper for my 825i gator than the JD kit.

andyt(pa) · Dec 9, 2019

I had a 2004 arctic cat 650 here is what manual said - also it had chart for viscosity/temp but could not cut and paste that -
RECOMMENDED ENGINE/
TRANSMISSION OIL

CAUTION: Any oil used in place of the recommended oil
could cause serious engine damage. Do not use
oils which contain graphite or molybdenum
additives. These oils can adversely affect clutch
operation. Also, not recommended are racing,
vegetable, non-detergent, and castor-based oils.

The recommended oil to use is Arctic Cat 4-Cycle
Engine Oil (p/n 0436-005) or an equivalent oil which
is rated SE, SF, or SG under API service classification.
These oils meet all of the lubrication requirements of
the Arctic Cat ATV engine. The recommended engine
oil viscosity is SAE 10W-40.

ATV oil

Kid Shileen

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dpendzic

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Mule Meat

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Steve@Advance

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Kid Shileen

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Russ from MN

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Ellis Kinney

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MarkB_MI

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Mutt and Jeff

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Destroked 450

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Hotflashjr

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andyt(pa)

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