Oil Mix

[Ipack]

http://www.widman.biz/English/Calculators/Mixtures.html



If interested have a look . We all know about Rotella 15w-40 and the T6 5w-40 . We also know that Kaw recommends a 10w-40 for our machines . while you can just run either oil as many do with good results , I felt the 5w-40 was a squeak to thin call me anal but that's just me . So I searched about mixing oils , as long as it the same brands they are compatible . So I found this viscosity calculator . I figured a 50/50 mix of 5w-40 and the 15w-40 would wash out to a 10w but doing the math it actually doesn't . Using the Viscosity calculator I came up with a mix of these oils to run right around a 10w synthetic blend . The calculator lets you chose temp ranges as well -5c is around 20ish F. and 40c is around 100F ...using this I came up with the mixture its just a tad over 60/40 or 3 quarts rotella 15w-40 with 2 quarts rotella T6 5w-40 will give you a 10w from 20ish degrees F to just over 100 degrees F . to use the calculator you just enter the first number of the oil 15 and 5 set the temp at the mid point of 40c and go ....play with it ...just though I would throw this out there ....I have the mix in the bike now ....You buy the 4 quart jug of the t6 and a few quarts of the 15w-40 and mix the 2 to come up with a 10w-40 synthetic blend ..... true you can buy a 10w-40 syn. blend but it cost more and you don't know how much syn is really in there .....

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Ipack

http://www.widman.biz/English/Calculators/Mixtures.html



If interested have a look . We all know about Rotella 15w-40 and the T6 5w-40 . We also know that Kaw recommends a 10w-40 for our machines . while you can just run either oil as many do with good results , I felt the 5w-40 was a squeak to thin call me anal but that's just me . So I searched about mixing oils , as long as it the same brands they are compatible . So I found this viscosity calculator . I figured a 50/50 mix of 5w-40 and the 15w-40 would wash out to a 10w but doing the math it actually doesn't . Using the Viscosity calculator I came up with a mix of these oils to run right around a 10w synthetic blend . The calculator lets you chose temp ranges as well -5c is around 20ish F. and 40c is around 100F ...using this I came up with the mixture its just a tad over 60/40 or 3 quarts rotella 15w-40 with 2 quarts rotella T6 5w-40 will give you a 10w from 20ish degrees F to just over 100 degrees F . to use the calculator you just enter the first number of the oil 15 and 5 set the temp at the mid point of 40c and go ....play with it ...just though I would throw this out there ....I have the mix in the bike now ....You buy the 4 quart jug of the t6 and a few quarts of the 15w-40 and mix the 2 to come up with a 10w-40 synthetic blend ..... true you can buy a 10w-40 syn. blend but it cost more and you don't know how much syn is really in there .....

Just get the right weight oil of the same type. Try a 10w-40. Castrol and Mobil 1 make motorcycle oils in this weight as does Amsoil and Valvoline.

[CBO Vaquero]

If I had to chose I would just go with the 15w40 and be done with it. Most of us ride in the upper temp scale anyway. For me I'm just going to stick with the 10w40 Kaw oil.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

If I had to chose I would just go with the 15w40 and be done with it. Most of us ride in the upper temp scale anyway. For me I'm just going to stick with the 10w40 Kaw oil.

I think the desire is to go on the cheap RE using Rotella. Nothing wrong with that per se, but I don't care if I spend an extra 10 or 20 bucks on oil when it needs changing. FWIW, I tried T6 on my Nomad, but found the engine noisier and went back to using Mobil 1.

[Sabre-t]

This calculator appears to only be for the 2nd number of a multi-weight oil or, more likely, for a single weight oil. The first number of a multi-weight oil is not for a true oil viscosity, it is for an additive that results in cold cranking viscosity equal to oil at that viscosity. So a 5W-40 has a cold cranking viscosity of a 5 weight oil. Once the oil warms to operating temperature, the last number takes effect, so the same 5W-40 oil is a 40 weight oil at operating temps.

Mineral oil is a very common additive used to adjust the first number, but there are other chemicals used, even by the same mfg to make various cold cranking viscosities. So plugging those numbers into this calculator would not give reliable results. Now if you wanted to make a 45 weight oil out of 10w-40 and 10w-50, then it would might work. I think it is intended for calculating single weight oil mixes, though, like making 35W out of 30W + 40W.

[Yellow Jacket]

For pete's sake. . .just put some oil in the bike and ride the thing.

[cnc]

Can't see the dollar saving is worth the buggering around, but then again I just buy kawa full synthetic and a kawa filter, it's peace of mind. I figure I do all my own work so I save there but if buying oil/ parts from my dealer helps keep him around, it is a good investment not to mention the chance to chew the fat and see what's new on the showroom floor.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

For pete's sake. . .just put some oil in the bike and ride the thing.

What Bob said

[hlknvlcn60]

In the hot summer months I run Kaw 20/50 motor oil in the Vaquero for a little more protection and viscosity when the engine is running hotter, then back to 10/40 Kaw oil during the fall and winter months.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by hlknvlcn60

In the hot summer months I run Kaw 20/50 motor oil in the Vaquero for a little more protection and viscosity when the engine is running hotter, then back to 10/40 Kaw oil during the fall and winter months.

I used to do that with my bike, but then went to 15w-50/10w-50 to use the same oil all year round.

[dshelly]

Use the 15w-40 in your lawn mower and get some "real" motorcycle oil in 10w-40. Change it out and ride. !!! You guys that want to penny pinch on everything ...... we'll see you on the side of the road.

[highwayman2011]

Why would there be anything wrong with running a 5W40 instead of 10W40? The 5W flows better at startup.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by highwayman2011

Why would there be anything wrong with running a 5W40 instead of 10W40? The 5W flows better at startup.

It depends on what the manufacturer recommends/specifies. It's in the owner's manual and the shop manual. It often has temp ranges associated with oil weight.

[highwayman2011]

Originally Posted by ponch

It depends on what the manufacturer recommends/specifies. It's in the owner's manual and the shop manual. It often has temp ranges associated with oil weight.

Well, I have run the 5W40 T-6 in my Voyager with no problems. Yes it calls for 10W40 and I still don't see how having an oil that flows better at startup and has the same rating at running temp is bad.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by highwayman2011

Well, I have run the 5W40 T-6 in my Voyager with no problems. Yes it calls for 10W40 and I still don't see how having an oil that flows better at startup and has the same rating at running temp is bad.

It shouldn't be, most engine wear is at startup when moving parts are waiting for the oil to reach them, so faster pump up less wear. It just depends on how tight the tolerences are, I certainly would not use a 20w... Oil.