15W 40 oil and the Cold

[The Fonz]

I recently changed my oil to Delo 400 15w 40 and was wondering how well it does on cold start ups? Should I have any concerns for cold starts with a 15w oil on cold mornings?

I ride year round and the coldest it gets here is about 15F. It usually is in the high 20s or low 30s in the mornings. My concern is that the oil may be too thick in the mornings (or after a long day sitting outside at work) for a cold start with the choke running the RPMs up. Will this oil provide adequate protection for this temperature?

Any thoughts, opinions, or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks

[hugemoth]

What does your owners manual say? I use 5/40 during the winter but that may not be right for your bike.

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I recently changed my oil to Delo 400 15w 40 and was wondering how well it does on cold start ups? Should I have any concerns for cold starts with a 15w oil on cold mornings?

I ride year round and the coldest it gets here is about 15F. It usually is in the high 20s or low 30s in the mornings. My concern is that the oil may be too thick in the mornings (or after a long day sitting outside at work) for a cold start with the choke running the RPMs up. Will this oil provide adequate protection for this temperature?

Any thoughts, opinions, or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks

[kpt4321]

Oil weight should be chosen based on the weight/temperature chart in most bike's owner's manual. Look there.

15W is thicker than is usually recommended for 15F, but it's impossible to say if it will be a problem or not.

I know I wouldn't use that oil for those conditions unless the owner's manual specifically asked for it.

[greywolf]

15W is okay down to about 6F. It can be more resistant to cold cranking above that is all.

[LuciferMutt]

Look in the owner's manual. You'll find a chart with a bar graph showing which weight covers what temperature ranges -- one will be adequate for almost all temperatures you're going to encounter and chances are good it's 10W-40 unless your bike is aircooled.

You'll be OK with 15W but it's not ideal for temps under freezing.

[DockingPilot]

Listen to your cold engine on start up. She will tell you weather she likes it or not.

[ragtoplvr]

if you are talking about the gold wing in your profile, then 15W40 will not damage the engine. It will be slower to crank and feel a bit stiff. With the torque of the gold wing you may never notice If you have something different then update your profile.

If you want a better cold oil use the 5W40 synthetic Rotella.

Rod

[The Fonz]

Thanks guys,

It is the Goldwing. I'll leave it in and listen to the motor on start up. I have been running the Rotella 5w40 for quite a few years but recently read about the Delo 400 LE oil. I figured I would give it a try.

So far it is has been a night and day difference. The Delo seems to make shifting so much smoother, it has been like riding a completely different bike. I just have not had any starts below freezing yet.

I appreciate your help.