P500 Engine Oil

Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
Is Honda GN4 OEM oil fully synthetic, tier 3/4?????
 
joeymt33

joeymt33

i4WD=imitated 4WD
Moderator
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Mar 17, 2015
11,096
39,129
113
Guntersville, AL
Ownership

  1. 1000-3

  2. 1000-5
I have used amsoil 0-40 4 stroke (code AFF) full synthetic in all my off road vehicles, including my pioneer 500. Started using it in my 2002 forman 450 when it was new and has been in everything i've had. Great oil, totally sold on it, reduces required maintenance time as it lasts twice as long. Gives superior protection. Cost is about double but is offset due to the fact it lasts twice as long..

It's definitely good oil, but if you pay double the price and double the interval you just break even.

I'll challenge you, does it give superior protection? An oil analysis will tell you for sure.

I drive 50-60k per year in my career. I put lots of miles on my truck as well as the other vehicles in the fleet. We are hauling equipment 100% of the time and tow trailers regularly. Point is, we aren't delivering milk in the neighborhood. We drive our trucks to 200k regularly and save a lot of money by purchasing blended oil. The occasional oil analysis tells us we are not wearing our engines.

Plus, I like to service often so I can give my vehicle more often inspections.

I'm not saying my my way is the right way, nor I'm am I saying yours is the wrong way. I just wanted to make it public knowledge that there's more to learn about oils vs what the salesman tells you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CashMoney
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
I use Honda HP4S which is a tier 3 oil but still very good. It's a 10-30 wt.

I don't believe that for our application the tier 4 oils are worth the price. There are many applications where those high priced oils should be used though. I like to use tier 3 oils in my vehicles and change them often. That way I'm performing vehicle inspections more often and will catch water in oil or low fluid somewhere etc.

To the bolded, any idea where this can be found by the gallon.
 
joeymt33

joeymt33

i4WD=imitated 4WD
Moderator
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Mar 17, 2015
11,096
39,129
113
Guntersville, AL
Ownership

  1. 1000-3

  2. 1000-5
To the bolded, any idea where this can be found by the gallon.

Are you looking for the Honda HP4s?

I was told that it's not made in gallon jugs.
 
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
Are you looking for the Honda HP4s?

I was told that it's not made in gallon jugs.
That's what I'm finding. I just want a good quality synthetic suited to the P-500 that's available in a gallon, if such exists.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joeymt33
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
The mechanic shop at my Honda Powersports dealer suggested to me Bel Ray Thumper (JASO MA compliant) 10W40. And they stock it in their inventory.
 
Last edited:
Peanut

Peanut

New Member
Dec 12, 2015
7
5
3
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Ownership

  1. 500
I've gone to a Lucas 10w-40 Semi synthetic. I was sold on it because it was designed for wet clutch high rpm applications. We very rarely see temps below 0*c but our summers get pretty hot.

20160221 111012 20160221 110947
 
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
Received the $30.00 a gallon Bel Ray Thumper racing oil. Very interested to see how shifting improves when I get that installed latter this week.
 
Last edited:
hambone

hambone

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
154
89
28
Southeast Indiana
I hate engine oil threads. I don't know why I replied to this one and checked the box.
Here is my issue. It seems what someone buys and uses is the best oil ever. Not always, but a lot.
Does anyone here do oil analysis to see what it is actually doing?
Use a good name brand oil, API certified, keep up your intervals and you will be fine.
I am not a fan of oil companies using 33% of income on advertising.
Just my opinion. NAPA sell a oil sample kit. Oil Analysis Kits
Do some testing if you really want to know. It will tell the truth.
Sorry for the rant.
 
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
NASCAR uses synthetic oil. ;)
 
advertisement
scottn57

scottn57

Well-Known Member
Sep 14, 2013
108
294
63
Buffalo, NY
I use full synthetic in my street bikes and run long oil change intervals. The stuff (AMsoil usually) works great and holds up well. For something like the P500 with dirty and muddy conditions with frequent oil changes it really isn't worth it to run synthetic, IMO.
 
ehart814

ehart814

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Mar 28, 2016
1,655
3,645
113
NWPA
Ownership

  1. 500

  2. 1000-5
I have been using Amsoil for a while. I use it in my Harley, with great results (smoother shifting, practically zero consumption). Their motorcycle oil is top notch. I have personally seen a fully built (big bore, high comp, ported and polished big valve head, high lift cam, etc), air cooled Honda 400EX run for over ten years using the Amsoil 10W40 motorcycle oil. This engine is still running strong - and still even has the original clutch plates. I also use it in my quads, and my car at the moment.

Amsoil puts all the data out there for you to see. This comparison is a few years old now, but check out how it compares to other oils:

AMSOIL Performance Testing Archives

Personally, I am willing to pay a little more for the added protection. I spend a lot on my machines, and I take care of them. And if you decide to sell, I find that potential buyers like to hear that you spent a little extra on maintenance.

If you change your oil more often than needed, chances are your machine will run as long or longer than expected - no matter what oil you use. If you have any questions about Amsoil, feel free to ask me. If you spend $100 or more per year on oil, and are interested in Amsoil, sign up as a preferred customer. It costs $10 and you get wholesale pricing, so it really doesn't cost more than using synthetic oil from Walmart. I can help you get started.

Full disclosure - I am an Amsoil dealer, but I don't do it to earn money. I am a believer in their products, and I am not making any effort to sell oil to anyone on the forum. I just buy for myself and my friends that want it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hardwaterflyer
K

Kilroy

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2016
93
288
53
Missouri
I was wondering about different weight oil myself. I just bought a P500 the other day. I have used Shell Rotella T6 in all my motorcycles with good results. Is 5W40 ok in the P500? I live in Missouri and ride all year long.
 
ehart814

ehart814

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Mar 28, 2016
1,655
3,645
113
NWPA
Ownership

  1. 500

  2. 1000-5
Probably wouldn't hurt it. I run 10w-40 all year. The manual says 10w-40 is good down to like -20F or something like that. No matter what oil brand or weight you pick, use a grade/weight that the manual agrees with. I believe it is a bad idea to use something the manual does not recommend.
 
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
Been running the Bel Ray Thumper for a couple hundred miles now and that's definitely what I'm sticking with. My shifting has smoothed out nicely.
 
ohanacreek

ohanacreek

My EcoBoost has I4WD
Moderator
Lifetime Member
Jul 25, 2013
11,346
32,050
113
Shelby County, Alabama
Ownership

  1. 1000-5
I was wondering about different weight oil myself. I just bought a P500 the other day. I have used Shell Rotella T6 in all my motorcycles with good results. Is 5W40 ok in the P500? I live in Missouri and ride all year long.


I would check the owners manual, just use whatever it specs and you will be fine.
 
MB_Rider

MB_Rider

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 1, 2019
74
301
53
Swan River, Manitoba, Canada
Ownership

  1. 500
So I gotta do my first oil change in the spring and I spoke to a honda service rep for some advice on oils other than what they recommend. He told me that they recommend synthetic oil should NOT be used within the first 10,000km (6,250m). Reason being that the oil is thinner (Can't quite figure that out, smaller molecules maybe?) and won't protect the engine that has not been "broken in", and that the minerals in the conventional oil will better protect the clutch since synthetic oils lack those minerals. He did say that they are suggest P5 owners use 10W40 as oppose to the recommend 10w30. This what a Honda service has told me take for what's it's worth I plan on using HN4 10w40 and when my warranty is done then move on to synthetic 10w40.
 
Montecresto

Montecresto

Montecresto el segundo
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Jan 17, 2016
22,584
34,172
113
Eastern oklahoma
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 500

  3. 1000-3

  4. 1000-5

  5. Talon X4
So I gotta do my first oil change in the spring and I spoke to a honda service rep for some advice on oils other than what they recommend. He told me that they recommend synthetic oil should NOT be used within the first 10,000km (6,250m). Reason being that the oil is thinner (Can't quite figure that out, smaller molecules maybe?) and won't protect the engine that has not been "broken in", and that the minerals in the conventional oil will better protect the clutch since synthetic oils lack those minerals. He did say that they are suggest P5 owners use 10W40 as oppose to the recommend 10w30. This what a Honda service has told me take for what's it's worth I plan on using HN4 10w40 and when my warranty is done then move on to synthetic 10w40.
I can’t imagine that they would consider the break in period for a UTV would be over 6,000 miles. 😳

I’ve been running synthetic in mine since 1,000 miles. In fact I’ve gone to synthetics in everything and my machine seems the better for it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HUCK
HUCK

HUCK

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 21, 2016
1,047
2,319
113
ARIZONA
Ownership

  1. 500

  2. Talon X
So I gotta do my first oil change in the spring and I spoke to a honda service rep for some advice on oils other than what they recommend. He told me that they recommend synthetic oil should NOT be used within the first 10,000km (6,250m). Reason being that the oil is thinner (Can't quite figure that out, smaller molecules maybe?) and won't protect the engine that has not been "broken in", and that the minerals in the conventional oil will better protect the clutch since synthetic oils lack those minerals. He did say that they are suggest P5 owners use 10W40 as oppose to the recommend 10w30. This what a Honda service has told me take for what's it's worth I plan on using HN4 10w40 and when my warranty is done then move on to synthetic 10w40.
Ya cant go wrong with that plan .
 

About us

  • Our community has been around for many years and pride ourselves on offering unbiased, critical discussion among people of all different backgrounds. We are working every day to make sure our community is one of the best.

User Menu

Buy us a beer!

  • Lots of time and money has gone into making sure the community is running the best software, best designs, and all the other bells and whistles. Care to buy us a beer? We'd really appreciate it!

    Beer Fund!

    Club Membership!