Rotella T6 question.

P2breaker · 08-20-2020, 08:42 AM

Most everyone seemed to love Shell Rotella T6 but I want to know if I should get the 5w40 or the 15w40. I have a 2016 Vaquero.

DragonLady58 · 08-20-2020, 10:13 AM

15w40....

**Sabre-t** · 08-20-2020, 02:03 PM

If the choice is between 5W-40 and 15W-40 go with the 15W-40, especially if you are a warm season only rider in Virginia. 5W-40 will not provide sufficient protection for these bikes at startup in high summer heat, IMO.

recumbentbob · 08-20-2020, 04:40 PM

15 w40

**smokier** · 08-21-2020, 07:42 AM

Another vote for 15w40

mbarr10 · 08-23-2020, 01:42 AM

Are ALL the 15-40w Rotella's a JASO rating? I was wondering looking into my next oil change. The Stealer put Kawi Full synthetic in my last oil change with my transmission rebuild.

recumbentbob · 08-23-2020, 06:06 AM

You need to look on the jug to be sure.
Rotella T4 15w40 conventional oil is JASO rated as is T6.

The Black Knight · 08-28-2020, 04:51 AM

Thx for the info.

**smokier** · 08-29-2020, 07:43 AM

Well after digging through the used jugs of oil in the garage. Both version have JASO ratings, although different.

Ride safe,

Smokier

ballbreaker · 08-29-2020, 05:49 PM

Just a quick question. What are the benefits of this oil over Amsoil or Kawasaki oil and would using it affect Kawi warranty. Someone was going to ask so might as well be me.

recumbentbob · 08-29-2020, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballbreaker

Just a quick question. What are the benefits of this oil over Amsoil or Kawasaki oil and would using it affect Kawi warranty. Someone was going to ask so might as well be me.

Your owners manual tells you what specification of the oil to use. Use any brand oil that meets or exceeds those specs and you won't effect your warranty.

ballbreaker · 08-29-2020, 09:25 PM

Thanks for the reply recumbentbob.

P2breaker · 09-04-2020, 04:24 PM

It’s cheaper. I ride a lot of miles and a cheaper oil just as good as name brand would be preferable. I did amsoil for about two cycles but it is quite expensive. Plus I ordered a 3 gallon pack of the Rotella T6 5w40 from eBay for $50 and the seller sent 6 gallons. 6 gallons of Jaso ma/ma2 certified full synthetic oil For $50 is quite a steal. The interesting thing is that Rotella T6 only ever came in 5w40 until relatively recently. So when people said they used T6 5 years ago, then they had to be using 5w40. Now everyone says 15w40. Because the manual allows both 10w40 and 20w40 to be used then certainly 15w40 is approved and what I should have went with. But since all went well for everyone with 5w40, I will polish it off And then switch to 15w40 T6.

Another thing I heard people say is that 5w is only for cold climates. Not quite true. 5w does better for cold but the 40 part is for summer and since both are 40 There is no difference in summer only in winter where 5w is rated better for colder conditions and that relates to startup.

DragonLady58 · 09-04-2020, 09:02 PM

5w40, in my opinion, would be good for our Alaska riders, maybe even the Northern Canadian riders that ride in the winter time. Speaking from a mechanics point of view, the 5w40 would be 'iffy' unless in a really cold climate, like up around the great lakes, up in Canada or Alaska. This is just my 2 pecos on it....
Even in cold weather, above 10 degrees, 15w40 is fine as long as you let your bike warm up some before your ride.

I remember when Harley came out with the HD 'Powerblend' oil...., the rear cylinder on my HD ran pretty hot, recieving the hot cooling air from the front cylinder. I could tell the diff. in performance. Winter time, wasn't as bad....I put on a rear cylinder air scoop made for the early model shovelhead Electra Glides. That made the biggest difference.

**Sabre-t** · 09-04-2020, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P2breaker

It’s cheaper. I ride a lot of miles and a cheaper oil just as good as name brand would be preferable. I did amsoil for about two cycles but it is quite expensive. Plus I ordered a 3 gallon pack of the Rotella T6 5w40 from eBay for $50 and the seller sent 6 gallons. 6 gallons of Jaso ma/ma2 certified full synthetic oil For $50 is quite a steal. The interesting thing is that Rotella T6 only ever came in 5w40 until relatively recently. So when people said they used T6 5 years ago, then they had to be using 5w40. Now everyone says 15w40. Because the manual allows both 10w40 and 20w40 to be used then certainly 15w40 is approved and what I should have went with. But since all went well for everyone with 5w40, I will polish it off And then switch to 15w40 T6.

Another thing I heard people say is that 5w is only for cold climates. Not quite true. 5w does better for cold but the 40 part is for summer and since both are 40 There is no difference in summer only in winter where 5w is rated better for colder conditions and that relates to startup.

The W part is for cold cranking viscosity when the engine is at ambient temperature. The second number relates to the viscosity after the engine warms up to running temperature. An inordinate amount of engine wear occurs during the first seconds of cold cranking. If the oil has too low a cold cranking viscosity, too little oil will be left on the surfaces when the engine reaches ambient temps if the ambient temps are high. If the cold cranking viscosity is too high, not enough oil with get to the appropriate surfaces during cranking during those first few moments.

If you ride in temps below 30° - 35° degrees, 10W-40 is recommended. If you ride a lot in 95+° temps, 20W-50 is recommended. If most of your riding is not near either extreme, then 15W-40 should be OK. 5W-40 may result in excessive engine wear when cranking, especially if you live in a warmer climate area.

08-20-2020, 08:42 AM	#1
P2breaker Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Woodbridge, Vriginia Posts: 45	Rotella T6 question. Most everyone seemed to love Shell Rotella T6 but I want to know if I should get the 5w40 or the 15w40. I have a 2016 Vaquero. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-20-2020, 10:13 AM	#2
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	15w40.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
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08-20-2020, 04:40 PM	#4
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	15 w40 __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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08-21-2020, 07:42 AM	#5
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	15w40 Another vote for 15w40 __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-23-2020, 01:42 AM	#6
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Are ALL the 15-40w Rotella's a JASO rating? I was wondering looking into my next oil change. The Stealer put Kawi Full synthetic in my last oil change with my transmission rebuild. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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08-20-2020, 02:03 PM	#3
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	If the choice is between 5W-40 and 15W-40 go with the 15W-40, especially if you are a warm season only rider in Virginia. 5W-40 will not provide sufficient protection for these bikes at startup in high summer heat, IMO.
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08-23-2020, 06:06 AM	#7
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	You need to look on the jug to be sure. Rotella T4 15w40 conventional oil is JASO rated as is T6. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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08-28-2020, 04:51 AM	#8
The Black Knight Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Italy Posts: 6,045	Thx for the info. __________________ VBA 02514 - VROC 35394 VN 800 A - VN 900 Classic VN 1700 Vaquero Usque ad finem.
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08-29-2020, 05:49 PM	#10
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Just a quick question. What are the benefits of this oil over Amsoil or Kawasaki oil and would using it affect Kawi warranty. Someone was going to ask so might as well be me.
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08-29-2020, 09:25 PM	#12
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	Thanks for the reply recumbentbob.
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09-04-2020, 04:24 PM	#13
P2breaker Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Woodbridge, Vriginia Posts: 45	It’s cheaper. I ride a lot of miles and a cheaper oil just as good as name brand would be preferable. I did amsoil for about two cycles but it is quite expensive. Plus I ordered a 3 gallon pack of the Rotella T6 5w40 from eBay for $50 and the seller sent 6 gallons. 6 gallons of Jaso ma/ma2 certified full synthetic oil For $50 is quite a steal. The interesting thing is that Rotella T6 only ever came in 5w40 until relatively recently. So when people said they used T6 5 years ago, then they had to be using 5w40. Now everyone says 15w40. Because the manual allows both 10w40 and 20w40 to be used then certainly 15w40 is approved and what I should have went with. But since all went well for everyone with 5w40, I will polish it off And then switch to 15w40 T6. Another thing I heard people say is that 5w is only for cold climates. Not quite true. 5w does better for cold but the 40 part is for summer and since both are 40 There is no difference in summer only in winter where 5w is rated better for colder conditions and that relates to startup.
	0

09-04-2020, 09:02 PM	#14
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	5w40, in my opinion, would be good for our Alaska riders, maybe even the Northern Canadian riders that ride in the winter time. Speaking from a mechanics point of view, the 5w40 would be 'iffy' unless in a really cold climate, like up around the great lakes, up in Canada or Alaska. This is just my 2 pecos on it.... Even in cold weather, above 10 degrees, 15w40 is fine as long as you let your bike warm up some before your ride. I remember when Harley came out with the HD 'Powerblend' oil...., the rear cylinder on my HD ran pretty hot, recieving the hot cooling air from the front cylinder. I could tell the diff. in performance. Winter time, wasn't as bad....I put on a rear cylinder air scoop made for the early model shovelhead Electra Glides. That made the biggest difference. __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 09-04-2020 at 09:07 PM.
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