Why are we using Rotella again....?

[Stig / Major Tom]

OK, one more time why do we want to use Rotella synthetic in our scoots ...rather than something not made for a Ford tractor?
Something we've heard of, like: AMSOIL, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil1, Quaker State?
But Diesel tractor oil in my scoot?!
Stig

I've been reading more....
The full synthetic "Rotella T6" 5w-40 is rated a bit better for heat than the Rotella 15w-40 Dino oil (15w 40 is the specified oil for my LIKE200i - always wondered why I could not find 15w-40 oil at the auto parts store...it was on the shelf behind me for diesel engine oils!)
Rotella T6 information page: 
http://s02.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell-new/local/business/rotella/downloads/pdf/rotella-t6-brochure.pdf

[tortoise]

Something we've heard of, like: AMSOIL

Based on a previous post, your ARE using AMSOIL.  Why are you reposting this topic?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Posted by a respected SYM dealer/owner in So. California:
"OK , here it comes - the oil thread...
I am often asked what oil do I recommend? My answer is - it depends...
For my warm year round climate we start our scooters off with Delo 15W40 diesel oil and change it at 500 mi, 1500 mi,2500 mi, 3500 etc. At 4500 we change the gear oil 80/90weight.
This is on top of the prep where we change the oil/gear oil.
We do not use motorcycle oil as it has friction enhancers for a wet clutch which our scooter do not have ."

And: 43 out of 46 Walmart users gave 5/40 Rotella synthetic 5 stars. (including bike owners)
Delo and Rotella are oils for diesel engines.

A question: So, diesel motor oils work good in our scoots, better than gas engine motor oils?
This doesn't need to be the start of The Motor Oil Wars - if a respected veteran scooter person offered a simple "Yeah, diesel engine motor oils might be better for our scoots." that would do nicely for most of us.

Stig

[ce]

The diesel oils contain high detergent content, which helps scooter engines stay clean since they don't have an oil filter. There's only one quart to lubricate the engine, so changing it every 1,000 miles is cheap and easy reassurance.

Rotella, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

[BettinANDlosing]

The Logic behind using Diesel oils is that they are designed to cope with much, much higher amounts of carbon deposits in the oil itself because of very high compression in diesel engines. More compression = more carbon forced paced the rings. Scooter engines are not, for the most part, using high tolerances like modern car engines and run fairly high compression making the oil dirty (Carbon deposits) quickly. As CE stated, they also only have a quart of oil and for the most part no oil filter other than a screen. As with anything, Kymco would not recommend using something for no reason and they indeed recommend using Diesel oil in the scoots. 10w40 winter, 15w40 summer IMHO depending on where you live. Mild climate 10w40 year round, hot summers 15w40, very very cold climate 5w40 or even 5w30 if you can find it. Cheers

[MaryK]

Also, Shell Rotella T is rated for motorcycle use, so it is not a stretch to use it for scooters.
And oil for diesel engines are about the cheapest name brand oils to buy.

scoot safely

[Stig / Major Tom]

Also, Shell Rotella T is rated for motorcycle use, so it is not a stretch to use it for scooters.
And oil for diesel engines are about the cheapest name brand oils to buy.

scoot safely

Yep, the lower price is one reason I'm asking about this kind of oil.  I want to use only good stuff...since my scoot uses so little per charge. The lower price made me wonder when I was in the parts store today looking for something to replace AMSOIL in my scoot.
Stig

[MaryK]

Diesel engines use 5 gal. per oil change and Diesel engines run many thousand of miles per year,
so the total gal. sold is very high and the price per Qt. can be lower than oils that don't sell as well.

If the oil meets the requirements established by API (American Petroleum Institute) http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm  for the grades stamped on the container,
then the main differences are going to be additional additives and their amounts.  The JASO standard is for motorcycle engines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil

But you are welcome to buy whatever you like.  Higher price does not always yield better product.
We have no experience with the high priced oils so I cannot comment about them.

scoot safely,

[zombie]

Just copy pasted this.

Additive Levels

Diesel engine oil has more additives per volume. The most prevalent are overbase detergent additives. This additive has several jobs, but the main ones are to neutralize acids and clean. Diesel engines create a great deal more soot and combustion byproducts. Through blow-by, these find their way into the crankcase, forcing the oil to deal with them. When you put this extra additive load in a gasoline engine, the effects can be devastating to performance. The detergent will work as it is designed and try to clean the cylinder walls. This can have an adverse effect on the seal between the rings and liner, resulting in lost compression and efficiency.

So how do you know if an oil has been designed for gasoline or diesel engines? When reading a label, look for the API (American Petroleum Institute) doughnut. In the top section of this doughnut will be a service designation. This designation will either start with an “S” (service or spark ignition) for gasoline engines or a “C” (commercial or compression ignition) for diesel engines.

Machinery Lubrication (10/2011)

About the Author
Jeremy Wright
Jeremy Wright
Jeremy Wright is a Senior Technical Consultant for Noria Corporation. Hire Jeremy to develop procedures for your lubrication program or to train your team on machinery lubrication best practices. ... Read More

[ophelia]

For me, Shell Rotella is also easy to find. There's a Shell gas station near my house and they stock most grades of Rotella at a reasonable price.

[DMblues01]

So how do you know if an oil has been designed for gasoline or diesel engines? When reading a label, look for the API (American Petroleum Institute) doughnut. In the top section of this doughnut will be a service designation. This designation will either start with an “S” (service or spark ignition) for gasoline engines or a “C” (commercial or compression ignition) for diesel engines.

Shell Rotella is API rated for both CJ-4 and SM. AS well as JASO MA rated for motorcycle use. It's designed to be used in all diesel and gasoline engines.

I used motorcycle oil in my scoot during break in, changing every 200 miles. At 1200 miles, I switched to Rotella T6. It seems to run smoother since the switch. And it starts a lot easier in the mornings.
On my next scoot, I think I will use Rotella T dino from the start, and then the T6 after break in.

[klaviator]

I used motorcycle oil in my scoot during break in, changing every 200 miles. At 1200 miles, I switched to Rotella T6. It seems to run smoother since the switch. And it starts a lot easier in the mornings.
On my next scoot, I think I will use Rotella T dino from the start, and then the T6 after break in.

This is what I did with my Super 8.  It has over 16,000 hard miles on it now and the motor runs like new.

[NeoGenesisMax]

I honestly dont get this man. Don't skimp on the oil. Any Namebrand motorcycle "four stroke" or "4t" will work well. The 15w isnt that important. If it gets cold where you are get 5w. If it doesnt get cold get 10w it doesnt really matter. You cant really miss here. If you question it then buy scooter specific oil. I am using Motul scooter oil. I am not impressed by it but our Likes beat the sh** out of oil. Some motorcycle oils have additives for lubricating parts that arent presant in most scooters. I believe it is the clutch. The BV has a wet clutch but most scoots dont. So you dont need that but it wont hurt you to have it. my oil is close to 17 bucks a quart and has to be changed every 1200 miles i believe. Thats about 17 dollars every two months for me.

[zombie]

I use 30.00 a quart 2 stroke oil (platinum 32+). That's part of the reason I don't ride that bike. It costs 8 bucks to fill (gas/oil), and lasts 20-25 miles per tank. I wind up spending about 32 bucks a week compared to my 4t that costs 4 bucks a week. (100 miles)

Oh the joy of modifying scooters.