Are car and four stroke Bike oils of the same rating compatible? Both are fully synthetic Mobil1 15w-50, BTW.

Cheers

Kev

 

You need to be a bit wary as specific bike oils may be formulated for use with wet clutches.
JohnD

 

There is one major difference between car and motorcycle oil (unless you drive an old Mini perhaps) and that is the fact that motorcycle oils are designed to work with a wet clutch and therefore are formulated so as not to cause clutch slip, whereas car oils can concentrate on lubricating, cooling and reducing friction only. So car oil in a Fireblade is a big no-no, whereas bike oil in your car will not cause you a problem ( and if I had an old Ford Mundaneo then I might chuck it in if it was taking up space in the shed ) but I don't put bike oil in my car and I'm not thinking of starting any time soon.
Kevin

 

Someone get sold a bottle of 4T in error?

I've had that happen...send it back

 

I think the 4t BIKE OILS have additives for extreme pressure use.
Don't forget that the engine oil is shared by the gearbox in most bikes!

As stated, some bike clutches dont like synths as they are too slippery for the wet clutch plates. The HP bike formulations are generally more expensive anyhow.

 

I wish...

Noticed that the oil level in the Imp was a little on the low side (still above minimum, tho) on Saturday evening, just before a drive down to Brum. As the local Halfrauds was closed by that time, I decided to stop at the first Esso place I saw on the way down and pick up a litre bottle of Motorsport 15w-50 to top up, Esso being the only service stations that sell Mobil oils, AFAIK - Mobil being an Exxon subsiduary and all. The first one I saw was just inside Shropshire on the A5. They had a range of new Mobil oils, but the only 15w-50 they had was 4T - a bike oil. So I bought it. Not used it yet, tho, as as I wasn't sure if it would be a wise move. Plus the oil level in the car is still a bit above minimum levels.

So, bike oils should be avoided??? A much respected and hugely experienced independent rally prep company I use for servicing (owned by an ex-Prodrive chap) use fully synthetic Morris 10w-40 Race 4TT bike oil in all their cars (CLICKY - click on "Motorcycle and Scooter", then on "4 Stroke"). They swear by it and don't use anything else in the cars they prepare and maintain. Had some in my Imp and didn't have any complaints. Couldn't find any locally, so I went back to Mob1 for the between-services oil change.

****. Now I'm confused.



Kev

 

Any other bits of advice?

Cheers

Kev

 

Now why did you have to post that little gem?
You have now added a new dimension to the legend that is the Scooby oil question.
The community is no doubt attempting to digest the full implication of this and heartache is all that will ensue.

 

You'll probably be ok to top up with it. It's more of an issue with car oil in a bike, than the other way round. But don't take my word for it.

The reason why I sent my 4T back was because I asked for car oil and got given bike oil - if in doubt, don't use it

 

They're normally the same thing in a differently labelled bottle.

DO NOT use car oils in bikes but bike oils in cars is ok.

The main reason more people do not do this is because the minute you put a bike on the can it adds a premium.

Cheers
Simon

 

our experience & info is that they are not the same thing otherwise it wouldn't matter where you use it.....................

the bike oils generally have friction modifiers in them to allow the use of a 'wet' clutch (99% of bikes use this arrangement)............

otherwise i agree with the last part of Simon's statement that broadly speaking bike oils will work in cars but NOT cars in bikes

alyn

 

The mobil 1 4T bike stuff is most definetly not the same stuff as the mobil 1 car oil - the bike manufacturer i work for recommends mobil for all of our products and we have tested the car stuff just to see but you get a lot of clutch slip.

just stick with the right stuff, wether you have a car or a bike.

 

Isn't this a mandatory requirement of signing up to SN?

Cheers chaps. Much clearer now.

Kev

 

Bollo*ks
If they are the same then why are they not interchangable?
The bike oils have addatives to cope with the extreme shear forces placed upon the oil by THE GEARBOX. Hence the 4T rating.
Shared oil sump - remember?

Steve.
PS I thought you were the expert oil salesman? Seems PSL was right.

 

Wrong again.

As I said before car oils cannot be used in bikes, bike oils can be used in cars, fact!!

Steve, go and do your homework!

Cheers
Simon

 

No need, I already know my stuff.
I wouldnt criticise unless I were 100% sure. I also don't contradict myself inside the same paragraph.

Quote 1. They're normally the same thing in a differently labelled bottle.
Quote 2. DO NOT use car oils in bikes but bike oils in cars is ok.

Hilarious. So what ARE you saying exactly, and where is my homework lacking?
Are they the same thing as per line one, or are they not interchangeable, as per line two?
Mind you, line three supports line one by suggesting that bike oils are the same only more expensive!
Pah....

cheers
Steve