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1 St Oil Change. Synthetic???

7860 Views 38 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  BIGBADBOB
I just bought a new Rubicon and will be doing my first oil and filter change and was wondering if it is okay to use synthetic. I was thinking Amsoil and wondering if it would harm anything. Thanks.
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I did the same thing on my 1st oil change. My dealer was also an Amsoil dealer and said go for it. As you know, the Hondamatic and the crankcase use the same oil, so why not use the best. As long as the oil has no friction modifiers (Amsoil Powersports 0w40 is a good one) you are well within Honda Specs.
I had been told by my dealer it would be fine (on my foreman) but I've had other people tell me not to for a couple oil changes.

So, I don't know what's best. But I figure after everythings set it doesn't matter much.
I called a Honda Dealer and he said it would be fine to use Amsoil as long as you use the Amsoil for motorcycles. Expensive stuff but worth it if it gives added protection.
Wait!!!!! When i bought mine,and had it in for warranty work,there was a guy that had a 05 rubi,and it was smoking...not bad but you could tell,anyways he was pissed cuz the would not warrant it cuz he put synthetic oil in to early,after they told him "not to" The mech was saying he didnot give the vavles/ring to set????? Didnot realy p/u on that,but they said he should have waited at least 1200 miles,to be on the safe side. take it how you want but thats what i saw and heard.
QUOTE ("Codman":9a5xkafo)
Wait!!!!! When i bought mine,and had it in for warranty work,there was a guy that had a 05 rubi,and it was smoking...not bad but you could tell,anyways he was pissed cuz the would not warrant it cuz he put synthetic oil in to early,after they told him "not to" The mech was saying he didnot give the vavles/ring to set????? Didnot realy p/u on that,but they said he should have waited at least 1200 miles,to be on the safe side. take it how you want but thats what i saw and heard.
It only takes like 20 hours...or 100 miles...to set the rings...
i would just use honda suggested oil. make sure it meets the requirements stated in your owners manual.
QUOTE ("lucky644":16qkjcax)
QUOTE ("Codman":16qkjcax)
Wait!!!!! When i bought mine,and had it in for warranty work,there was a guy that had a 05 rubi,and it was smoking...not bad but you could tell,anyways he was pissed cuz the would not warrant it cuz he put synthetic oil in to early,after they told him "not to" The mech was saying he didnot give the vavles/ring to set????? Didnot realy p/u on that,but they said he should have waited at least 1200 miles,to be on the safe side. take it how you want but thats what i saw and heard.
It only takes like 20 hours...or 100 miles...to set the rings...[/quote]

Well.....The guy put in syn in at 700 miles,and 1100 miles later it was smoking.... im not calling you a liar,But thats what i was told to wait atleast in the 1k range to be safe.
QUOTE ("Codman":1wll4wqw)
QUOTE ("lucky644":1wll4wqw)
QUOTE ("Codman":1wll4wqw)
Wait!!!!! When i bought mine,and had it in for warranty work,there was a guy that had a 05 rubi,and it was smoking...not bad but you could tell,anyways he was pissed cuz the would not warrant it cuz he put synthetic oil in to early,after they told him "not to" The mech was saying he didnot give the vavles/ring to set????? Didnot realy p/u on that,but they said he should have waited at least 1200 miles,to be on the safe side. take it how you want but thats what i saw and heard.
It only takes like 20 hours...or 100 miles...to set the rings...[/quote]

Well.....The guy put in syn in at 700 miles,and 1100 miles later it was smoking.... im not calling you a liar,But thats what i was told to wait atleast in the 1k range to be safe.[/quote]

Not sure who told you, but my dealer says after the initial break in, your next oilchange can be synthetic.
I called 2 dealers to be sure and they said no problem. A little extra money for the oil but hopefully it will pay back in the long run. I bought the Amsoil motorcycle oil as the dealers suggested. It's changed and in there. Didn't get out there cruising with it yet but if any problems or noticiable differences I'll keep you informed...
QUOTE ("lucky644":1utqgtrn)
QUOTE ("Codman":1utqgtrn)
QUOTE ("lucky644":1utqgtrn)
QUOTE ("Codman":1utqgtrn)
Wait!!!!! When i bought mine,and had it in for warranty work,there was a guy that had a 05 rubi,and it was smoking...not bad but you could tell,anyways he was pissed cuz the would not warrant it cuz he put synthetic oil in to early,after they told him "not to" The mech was saying he didnot give the vavles/ring to set????? Didnot realy p/u on that,but they said he should have waited at least 1200 miles,to be on the safe side. take it how you want but thats what i saw and heard.
It only takes like 20 hours...or 100 miles...to set the rings...[/quote]

Well.....The guy put in syn in at 700 miles,and 1100 miles later it was smoking.... im not calling you a liar,But thats what i was told to wait atleast in the 1k range to be safe.[/quote]

The tech...same guy who told the guy who put it in his 05 rubi,that now Smokes....Ill have to see what happend w/that problem.
Not sure who told you, but my dealer says after the initial break in, your next oilchange can be synthetic.[/quote]
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QUOTE ("rubicon285":380vj506)
I called 2 dealers to be sure and they said no problem. A little extra money for the oil but hopefully it will pay back in the long run. I bought the Amsoil motorcycle oil as the dealers suggested. It's changed and in there. Didn't get out there cruising with it yet but if any problems or noticiable differences I'll keep you informed...
Ask them if they will warranty it if it starts smoking???
Sounds like an isolated incident to me.
My dealer said "NO", never on a Rubi use synthetic. lucky644 has a 500 Foreman. The 500 Foreman is a completely different ATV than a Rubicon, it might be ok on it.

I have a Honda service manual as well as a Clymer and they both say no synthetics or any oil with additives because of the Hondamatic transmission.
Does the manufactor use synthetic.... No they don't. Why use it if it's not recommended! Save your money!
QUOTE ("H4zY":3r253s96)
Does the manufactor use synthetic.... No they don't. Why use it if it's not recommended! Save your money!
I thought synthetic was actually better, not the case?
dont run synthic. just run the good ol honda oil. its cheaper....
QUOTE ("lucky644":2yy2xs0x)
QUOTE ("H4zY":2yy2xs0x)
Does the manufactor use synthetic.... No they don't. Why use it if it's not recommended! Save your money!
I thought synthetic was actually better, not the case?[/quote]

Synthetic is better...alot better, especially if your the kind that runs em hard,you just have to give it time to break in,and let everthing seat.Some say 1st oil change,some say 1000k+ miles,better to be on the safe side.I have 1100 on mine and my next oil change will be w/honda synthetic oil.
Lucky644 - I think you are missing the point here.

This guy asked for advice on oil for a TRX500FA "RUBICON" not a TRX500FE FOREMAN.

Your quad is a 475cc, Rubi's are 499cc, yours air-cooled, Rubi liquid cooled, yours conventional Honda tranny, Rubi has the Hondamatic that uses the engine oil as transmission fluid.

Synthetic might be good for your quad but not good advice for the RUBICON.
7rolls im owned both honda rubicon had 2 of them and a foreman...... synthic isnt the way to go
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