Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad T
Why do you have to use motorcycle oil when there is not a wet clutch. I would just assume with a CVT that automotive oil would work just fine.
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You use motorcycle oil because, unlike a car that has a separate lubicant for the engine and transmission, ATV/UTV's typically use the same fluid. Polaris uses a chain drive transmission, so they use a different transmission lubricant in addition to the motor oil. The other major factors involved in powersport motors:
1. Much higher engine speeds - oil is subjected to higher load/shear forces
2. Higher compression ratios - higher internal temperatures
3. Much higher horsepower/Displacement density - about 2X of auto engines
4. Engine cooling - ATV/UTV are both air and liquid cooled and most use oil cooling
5. Common lubrication for both engine and transmission
6. Inactivity - oil must be able to maintain stability across infrequent use. Rust and acid corrosion are of critical concern
Desiel engines are not as heavily regulated as far as emission standards as gasoline engines, so there are inherent lubricant properties in desiel oil that are not in gasoline oil.