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I finally stopped running my sled on straight 30 weight oil
Used to think thick oil was the way to go for my old Arctic Cat up here in northern Minnesota. Been doing it that way for like 10 years, even through those brutal -20 mornings. Then my buddy who rebuilds motors told me I was basically choking the engine when cold starting. Switched to 0W40 synthetic last season and the difference in startup ease is night and day. Has anyone else made that swap and noticed their battery lasting longer too?
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joelsanchez8d ago
Man, this post made me reconsider everything I thought I knew. I was running 10W40 in my old Polaris for years, thinking thicker meant better protection. Finally switched to a 5W30 full synthetic after a buddy showed me how much wear happens during cold starts. The startup difference is real, like the motor breathes easier right away. Battery life improvement was a nice bonus too, less strain on the starter motor struggling to turn over thick oil. Definitely changed my mind on the whole thick oil thing.
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dakotawells8d ago
Thicker is better" is a hard habit to break, ain't it? Glad you saw the light.
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