Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Let put a different prospective at looking at the oil . First the W is not for Weight its for" Winter". So the 0W-40 simply means it has a viscosity of 0 at 32 degrees for Winter use . The 40 number means viscosity of 40 on the scale at full operating temp 200 degree plus. It is well known fact that a thicker oil provides far better resistance to wear and metal to metal contact, And thick oil takes longer to get to all the engine parts during start up, So those who live it cold climate choose a 0W -40 oil. However snow bikes typically run water temps 140 -180 degrees and in the super cold air and drop to 80 degrees after turning off bike for several minutes ,the aluminum engine cases and clutch cover expel the oil heat very rapidly, The oil in the back of motor and sump runs around 100 -120 degrees at full throttle . So the oil is never up to operating temps like a vehicle even with water temps at 180. Therefore the oil viscosity were pumping through the engine is really around 20 viscosity which is too thin to achieve the best lubricant , Multi viscosity oils have a additive which expands as it heats up causing it to flow slower and become thicker. So on paper a 0W-40 may sound great however in the real world of snow it is likely too thin.my 5W -40 is noticeably thicker at room temps. double edge sword choosing start up protection or full throttle protection , thoughts knowledgeable individuals?
The Oil manufactures have detailed info videos and say specifically that the additives that make a multi viscosity oil thicken as it gets to 200 degrees, They specifically say the "micro" additives swell as the oil warms and this is how it is thicker and flows slower when hot. or full operating temps. None of this is My idea of how it works but a detailed analysis , They do flow test at different temps and demonstrate how multi viscosity oils works .The W number and the second number do not relate to each other. The oil does not start out at zero SAE weight at 0 degrees Celsius and then get thicker to 40 SAE weight at 100 degrees celcius. So your thought of the oil being 20 weight somewhere in between in the temp range is mistaken.
These are two separate ratings on different scales. Speaking in absolute terms, 0w-40 oil will be thicker at freezing than at 100c. If you aren't sure, try your own pour tests.
The W rating refers to how easily it will flow at 0 Celsius. It is not rated in the same viscosity numbers as the high temp viscosity rating is. Totally unrelated numbers. The W rating says how thick it will be on one scale at 0 degrees celcius, and the 40 says how thick it will be on a totally different scale at 100 degrees celcius.
If operating with clean oil and under 100 celcius, it will never be thinner than 40wt. Over 100 celcius, all bets are off with any oil because the SAE test is at 100.
I started running Lucas last year, partly because it is easily available near me. My bikes shift well and seem to like it as much as anything else.I dont have anything to add about the science of this. The only thing I know is how my bike shifts. Some oils I find the bike doesnt like to shift as well as others.
I recently switched to this stuff, and the bike was shifting great. Might be one for you guys to research/consider:
Lucas Oil 10718 Lucas High Performance Motorcycle Oil | Summit Racing
Free Shipping - Lucas High Performance Motorcycle Oil with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Engine Oil at Summit Racing.www.summitracing.com
Here is some info that shows how the oil thickens as it get hot, explains how the oil does Not get thinner with heat as ewe suggest .The W number and the second number do not relate to each other. The oil does not start out at zero SAE weight at 0 degrees Celsius and then get thicker to 40 SAE weight at 100 degrees celcius. So your thought of the oil being 20 weight somewhere in between in the temp range is mistaken.
These are two separate ratings on different scales. Speaking in absolute terms, 0w-40 oil will be thicker at freezing than at 100c. If you aren't sure, try your own pour tests.
The W rating refers to how easily it will flow at 0 Celsius. It is not rated in the same viscosity numbers as the high temp viscosity rating is. Totally unrelated numbers. The W rating says how thick it will be on one scale at 0 degrees celcius, and the 40 says how thick it will be on a totally different scale at 100 degrees celcius.
If operating with clean oil and under 100 celcius, it will never be thinner than 40wt. Over 100 celcius, all bets are off with any oil because the SAE test is at 100.
The whole principle of Multi grade oil evolves around this info, There are at least 20 educational documentation videos on this .
Some hard numbers from SAE that show that the W designation is separate, and a chart showing that multi grade oils are thinner at full temp.
Drain your oil with a cold motor one time and a hot motor the next, and see how it turns out.
I started running Lucas last year, partly because it is easily available near me. My bikes shift well and seem to like it as much as anything else.
You have misunderstood the idea of viscosity ratings. 10w-30 is not the actual viscosity number. The idea is the hot SAE30 is actually thinner than the cold SAE10W.The whole principle of Multi grade oil evolves around this info, There are at least 20 educational documentation videos on this .
Very interesting read. Does anyone know what the film strength is on that Timbersled 0w40 oil ? I’m assuming it’s a re-branded oil that timbersled put their name on. I’ve been using it because it’s readily available to me. Seems to be working good so far, mix of lugging and rev-limiter riding on my YZ. I originally got it just because it was a 0 weight oil that was also Jaso Ma rated.
Polaris PDS sheet on Timbersled 0w-40 oil, for reference.