Shell Rotella Confusion....

giddyup98 · Post by **giddyup98** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:58 pm

I've always used Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w-40 4 stroke motorcycle oil in all my scooters. The Buddy Manual calls for 15W-40 weight oil. I see many folks are recommending/using Shell Rotella T6 oil in their Buddys. I was at Tractor Supply and the various Shell Rotella containers say "Diesel Engines". Also, T6 only came in 5W-40 weight. T5 came in 15W-40 but it also said "Diesel Engines" and was a synthetic blend.

So what's the deal? Which one is the correct one? or should I just keep using Mobil 1 10W-40 motorcycle oil?

Thanks!

scootERIK · Post by **scootERIK** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:19 pm

I use the Shell Rottela T4 15W-40 which is a conventional oil and is labeled as a "Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil." I put over 44,000 miles on my first Buddy 125 using it and have over 14,000 miles on the Buddy 125 I ride now. At $13 a gallon it is also quite cheap.

I don't know if it is the best oil, but so far it has been working out pretty good.

schroeder · Post by **schroeder** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:43 pm

I have been using Rotella T-6 5w40 diesel engine oil in my scooters for years. POC Phil, a scooter guru and shop owner, highly recommends using this oil. Don't be scared off by the diesel engine on the label. It is full synthetic and costs about 20 bucks a gallon at Walmart. Cost a little more than the 15w40 oil by Rotella which is not synthetic. One you switch to a full synthetic oil, you don't want to go back to regular dino oil. DONOT use syntetic oil until a new engine is broken in.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 5:41 pm

DeeDee and I also run that same Rotella oil. It sounds confusing but we bot have a lot of miles and we've been fine so far.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 7:46 pm

A diesel vehicle rating does not mean a motor oil that can only be used in diesel engines. It means a motor oil that meets the high temperature, heavy duty service needs of a diesel engine. That also happens to be an excellent choice for small air cooled engines such as the Buddy.

KooK · Post by **KooK** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:12 am

if its any consolation, I drive a VW TDI(diesel) and it has over 260k miles on it, and i have been using rotella for about 200k of those miles. its a good oil for my diesel, cause its still ticking strong! im sure if its good enough for my diesel, it will be good for the buddy. and the diesel rating stuff helps it contain the contaminants in the oil(or something like that). it is good stuff!

MGM · Post by **MGM** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 2:10 pm

Motorcycle/Scooter oil contains specific additives and a JASCO rating. Regular automotive oils do not have those additives or the rating. Diesel rated oils have both. They are a cost effective alternative to motorcycle specific oil in scooters and smaller cc motorcycle. I use Rotella in both my Blackjack and Enfield. At the end of the day regular oil/filter changes have more effect on engine longevity than the type of oil used.

giddyup98 · Post by **giddyup98** » Sun Nov 20, 2016 6:05 pm

Well, I ended up switching both my Buddy 125 and 170 over to Rotella T6 before I put them down for the winter.

Thanks for all the advice/information!