Engine Oils

[akhilmuraleedhar]

do not use motul 15w50 for r15. use 5w40 or 10w40. i paid the price for using the wrong oil.

[kaynmantis]

..
>> Castrol Power1 Racing is a Group III base oil (Hydrocracked/Hydroisomerized). Technically, not a Synthetic oil. Castrol doesn't have Group IV oils). ..

I have been trying to find out whether CP1R is Group III or IV without success. If you know the source, could you please share it.

Regarding your comment that "Castrol doesn't have Group IV oils", are you certain? as I thought I came across some Castrol oil belonging to group IV on the internet. I have to search for it as I did not book mark them. I will try to post the link when I find them.

[HydBiker]

I'd rather love to see the resource you found about Castrol's Group IV base oil.

I have searched a lot and lot but have found info only abt their Group III oils and that they don't have a Group IV one.

Also, most Synthetic Oils I have researched mention their base when they mention that it is Fully Synthetic. That is because mentioning PAO or Ester means it is a better product. But Castrol never ever mentioned it. Neither did Shell mention it somewhere.

All companies selling Group IV or Group V synthetic oils, big & small, mention the base. Castrol & Shell are neither on the top nor small by any measure. Why don't they mention their oil base? There is a reason to hide it.

By the way, I am only speaking of what I got to know so far. I am in no way limiting my blame on castrol & shell. For that matter, even Mobil has marketed Group III oils as fully synthetic. And, AGIP has a lot of Ester base that it can almost be classified as a Group V oil.

[kaynmantis]

@ HydBiker: You are right. Castrol stopped using group IV altogether and started using group III based, starting a chain reaction for others to follow. Though its quiet confusing as group III based are not suppose to be branded as Fully Synthetic outside US and some countries. Anyway seems majority of oil manufacturers are using group III as base. The difference is how much stock based are being used. Seems this makes a huge difference in its performance . I guess this is making the huge difference in price as well.

I guess your comment "All companies selling Group IV or Group V synthetic oils, big & small, mention the base" says it all. Castrol doesn't mention them .

[krishnan6015]

Ahem, now that you spoke the right words, let me tell you:
>> Castrol Power1 Racing is a Group III base oil (Hydrocracked/Hydroisomerized). Technically, not a Synthetic oil. Castrol doesn't have Group IV oils). Surprisingly, even Shell Synthetics are from Group III base but it seems they are pretty good and comparable to Group IV oils. Not sure if they have proper Group IV base oils.

>> Petronas Sprinta 4T 5000 / AGIP Racing 4T are Group IV base oils (Polyalphaolefin / PAO). Most popular Synthetics. Good Thermal Stability. Longevity & better lubrication. A tiny amount of Anti-Oxidants + Ester base is added to the PAO oils (additive) to make them anti-oxidant and not to shrink seals + improve solvency. The Sprinta 5000 4T belongs to the highest grade PAO with the best in class values for properties such as VI, KV, FP, PP, etc. Didn't check much about the AGIP.

>> Motul 300V FL is a Group V base oil (Di-Ester/Double Ester). Esters are possibly the best lubricant & cleaning agents. Expensive. Good thermal stability and excellent solvency. Proper additive added to prevent hydrolysis and provide oxidative stability. In addition, special chemically resistant seals are recommended (that Bajaj doesn't seem to provide in the Pulsars for some funny reason!)

Only Group IV & Group V base oils are considered as fully synthetic oils. Only in the US, because of the Castrol's Law Suit win (that was filed in by Mobil) that Group III oils are also considered Fully Synthetic and since India doesn't have any such guidelines it is up to each manufacturer's wish how they want to promote their product.

Great info dude!!!

[iamvik]

Any reviews on Shell Advance VSX 4?

Shell says it's a synthetic blend.

[biker_abhi]

Filled AGIP in my ZMA-R

Hi all,

My bike is 1 n half years new!!! Since all the free services were over and morever had been hearing about the rave reviews of the castrol bike zones, I planned to take my bike to the one located in JC Road,Blore.

To my alas found that the name has changed to BikeTech(AGIP). Later learned that Castrol has moved out of this business to 4 wheelers. Anyways, I just went ahead for the service since the same standards were maintained (just observed and thought rationally). The guys took 3.5 hrs for the service and I was having a good discussion about engine oils with the manager over there. i had made up my mind to go for CP1R, but the manager completely brainwashed me and brought me in favour of their sponsor AGIP fuly synthetic 5W40. At last I went for it. Please advise me if I did the right thing.

Because, here are some of my observations regarding the change:

1. When I got it completly serviced, I did not notice any remarkable chage to the engine smoothness. It felt as if I did not put any synthetic oil.

2. Initially, felt that the performance has increased since I touched 100 very soon on the old airport road which used to take a lot of time earlier.

3.It has been around some 100 kms that I have ridden with this oil. But just yesterday felt this change; I had to change gears frequently, at times had to come up to the 1st gear at 10kmph.

4.I know this may not be related to the engine oil, but my throttle seems to be little unresponsive. It is not wringing freely as it used to be.

5. In the evening tried hard on it. it did not feel any smoother after 6k rpm. Earlier also it did not feel that smooth, but I expected some smoothness since it is a synthetic oil.

Please advise me guys if I did the right thig or I should do something about this.


Thanks in advance!

[kaynmantis]

Please advise me guys if I did the right thig or I should do something about this.

Why don't you give some time. From my experience. Bikes tends to be very moody and hard to understand sometimes. I try to run alteast 1k before deciding on action. Besides 5w40 should not harm your engine. BTW, synthetic does not necessarily mean automatic smoothness as though its slippery smooth. They are similar to mineral in its sliperiness. Its just that it sticks to moving parts better and can take more thrashing before breaking down.

[biker_abhi]

Thanks Kaynmantics!!!

Hey hydbiker!!! do u like to add anything to wat our friend just said???

BTW, what do u use for ur bike???

[HydBiker]

Thanks Kaynmantics!!!

Hey hydbiker!!! do u like to add anything to wat our friend just said???

BTW, what do u use for ur bike???

+1 to what Kayn said.

For that matter, I did not feel ANY difference in my R15 with fully syhthetic oil. But then, when I had to shift back to mineral once, I felt a handsome amount of difference that shows that my bike was running better with the synthetics. I would vote for the AGIP oil u are using instead of the CP1R. See for some more time. BTW, what's the price you paid for the oil?

I use Petronas Sprinta 4T 5000 Fully Synthetic. Getting it shipped here from Mumbai so far.

[biker_abhi]

Thanks HydBiker!!!

I paid 620 bucks...I cud have bargained but was too tired to do so and dint have much idea abt d prices. I guess AGIP is used as standard oil in all yamaha bikes,coz i found a big banner of AGIP infront of Orion Yamaha here in Blore.

I took you words..Will wait and see..and will tell u d diff soon.

Ya,another query is like is it like if u change ur oil from standard, there are chances of clutch slippage???

[HydBiker]

Thanks for the price.
It is just that the Orion guy seems to be a dealer for AGIP and is promoting it.

A synthetic oil should not cause clutch slippage unless you have used a car oil rated API SL or SM. But to my knowledge the oil you have used is Motorbke oil. Get your clutch checked. Sometimes clutch plates change behavior all of a sudden after service & oil change.

if you have a clutch slippage, that might explain the reason for your point # 3 & 4.

[biker_abhi]

How long can I use this oil? The guys advised me to refill after 5k kms...Will it go till that mileage or should I change it sometime in between??

[MaSh]

Hi,

I have been using Castrol 4t so far in my Fiero and now want to move to a Synthetic Oil. Castrol Power1 Racing has been on my mind, however, after the last few reviews and words from few others around, the needle has ticked to 'Petronas Sprinta 4T 5000'.

Any idea where I could get this in Hyderabad?

MaSh

[HydBiker]

How long can I use this oil? The guys advised me to refill after 5k kms...Will it go till that mileage or should I change it sometime in between??

As far as I have seen, the synthetic oils last for 5-6K KMs pretty well and even beyond... unless you rip the bike heavily. When it is time to change, you will know it easily by the difference in smoothness. But, after 3K Kms, keep checking the oil level now & then. It might just need a topup.