winter weight Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss winter weight in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; I run my sporty fairly often in the cold, 35 deg and below, isnt 20w50 too heavy for cold weather running? od Posted by: odjeep on Dec 21, 06 1:55:28 ...

[admin]

I run my sporty fairly often in the cold, 35 deg and below, isnt 20w50 too heavy for cold weather running? od

Posted by: odjeep on Dec 21, 06 1:55:28 pm

[admin]

I ride all year here in North Carolina and the temps hover in the 30s to low 40s (typically) from about now to the end of February. In my '04 sporty I change from 20w50 to 10w40 for this 2 month period of time. It doesn't matter that I may only put 1000 miles on it during that time. It seems logical that the slightly lower viscocity would flow easier in colder temps, but I based my choice on suggested recommendations from Amsoil.

Just a few things to qualify - my riding this time of year is normally shorter and I don't sit in any real traffic. I'm usually not idling at a light for more than a few minutes.

Posted by: rjw41 on Dec 22, 06 10:24:22 pm

[admin]

I run Mobile 1 Syn. 15w50 year round. Winter time averages when I ride are in the 20's and somtime below zero. No problems at startup. Fires right up no noisey lifters. My bike is also a sporty 2004. Summertime bike runs cooler. Got the tip on Mobile1 syn 15w50 from AIM. Figured I would try. Had to bust open the heads and jugs for some mods. Parts looked cleaner then when I ran regular Harley oil. Like their product so far. Remember most engine wear is at startup.

Posted by: JCOURNEYAP on Dec 24, 06 7:40:52 pm

[Syntheticoilexpert]

I run Amsoil 20W-50 all year round, Indiana in winter can get to 20 below, but I don't ride anything past 20 above zero. Although Amsoil 20W-50 still pours at 30 below, it's too cold to ride. Mobil 1 is a good oil, used it for years in my car till I discovered Amsoil. Keeps a coating of oil on parts way longer, (good for my Harley), and both Mobil 1 and HD Syn3 have twice the wear scar on the 4 ball wear test. For the same amount of money, you can leave Amsoil in twice as long, less wear, better protection. No brainer.

[BluesFan]

If you have a warranty, stay eith what the book says.

20W-50 is still 20 at cold temps and it varies as temp rises. So it may never get to 50 if you are really cold.

the W is for Winter, BTW.

I run Mobil Syn 15-50 year round for the last few years. I do ride when it is below Zero. No problems so far.

Are you concerned about 20W50 being too heavy? As the polymers coil up in cold weather it effectively becomes a 20 wt oil.

As far as some oils lasting longer than others, I have to wonder if that is a marketing ploy. Personally, I feel like the type of driving you do is far more important than the name on the oil bottle. Getting your oil hot enough, and keeping it hot enough, to dehydrate it is the best thing you can do for your engine. Short trips cause condensation in cold engines. Bad news.

Phu Cat