Opinions On Shell T5

[jwebfournow]

Getting ready to do an oil change on 89 Wing, what are the opinions on using Shell Rotella T5 10w/30w synthetic blend (Silver container) for diesels Triple protection+ ? Was looking throughout the internet seeing a lot of different ideas on it some say yeah some nay, not trying to stir anything up I know how it can get with oils and forums just looking for a general consensus, usually use Super Tech dino oils throughout the years, first time usage on synthetic for me.

[DaveO430]

That's what I have been using in my 1800 for a long time. I tried the 15/40 diesel oils and the 5/40 T6 full synthetic and Amsoil 10/30, The T5 shifts better than any of them, 10/30 is what is recommended for 1800s, don't know for 1500s.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

If you're leaning toward synthetic, why not just go full synthetic with the Rotella T6 ?
I use the Mobil1 10w40 bike specific oil. Kinda pricey, but I like its characteristics.

[AZgl1800]

the car has Mobil 1
5w20

the GL1800 has T6 5w30

last year, it was T5 10w30

[joeincalif]

Just go with the T6,

[jwebfournow]

I ended up with the T5. Thanks everyone for the input. This bike has come back to life and looking and running sweet, now that this one is back up and running I have to get back to my trike and see if I can get the engine running smoother, I have to narrower down the fuel injection issue ( I believe) I have done quite a few carb cleans but fuel injection wow what a different animal.

[AZgl1800]

good for you, now you can lay that question to rest.

[curtm]

Rotella 15/40 all day long, never use anything else

[DaveO430]

Rotella 15/40 all day long, never use anything else

Great for a 1500 or earlier but 1800s specify 10/30.

[curtm]

betcha they also tell you to use only Honda oil

[DaveO430]

betcha they also tell you to use only Honda oil

No they do not, they recommend it of course, what manufacturer doesn't? I am a firm believer in using the specified viscosity, based on a lifetime of professional mechanicing.

[curtm]

agree with you on the viscisity

[823JIM]

Rotella 15/40 all day long, never use anything else

Great for a 1500 or earlier but 1800s specify 10/30.

The online Honda service manual and my Haynes manual both specify 10W40 oil for GL1800's, just say n.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11429 ... e=9#manual

[AZgl1800]

Rotella 15/40 all day long, never use anything else

Great for a 1500 or earlier but 1800s specify 10/30.

The online Honda service manual and my Haynes manual both specify 10W40 oil for GL1800's, just say n.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11429 ... e=9#manual

the online manual does not show you everything, in the paper manual, I can see at least 3 different oil viscosity recommendations based on ambient temperatures....

the 40w is for high temperature regions, South Texas, Arizona, the tropics...
If you live in Canada, they suggest 10w30

that said, though, I am using 5w40 T6 for a special reason I have already stated.

[823JIM]

Great for a 1500 or earlier but 1800s specify 10/30.

The online Honda service manual and my Haynes manual both specify 10W40 oil for GL1800's, just say n.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11429 ... e=9#manual

the online manual does not show you everything, in the paper manual, I can see at least 3 different oil viscosity recommendations based on ambient temperatures....

the 40w is for high temperature regions, South Texas, Arizona, the tropics...
If you live in Canada, they suggest 10w30

that said, though, I am using 5w40 T6 for a special reason I have already stated.

I do not have the official printed Honda Service Manual but everything I that have says 10W40 even the Owners Manual, that is also what the local Honda dealer puts in for a typical oil change on a GL1800. If what you say is true Honda has done a very poor job of getting the proper information out to the manual printers and the general public. But I guess that's what these forums are for is to pass on information as we understand it.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/80515 ... 134#manual
On page 1 of this manual it shows to be a copywrited Honda publication


"The shift from the 10W-40 specification to the 10W-30 specification occurred I *think* between the 06 and 07 model years (or maybe 05 and 06). At any rate, there was no change to the engine during that shift. Honda simply went from specifying a 40-weight to specifying a 30-weight." Quote from bobistheoilguy, forum.
Just found this information, my bike is an 03. The difference in what year information was printed makes for a different spec. for same engine.

[DaveO430]

"The shift from the 10W-40 specification to the 10W-30 specification occurred I *think* between the 06 and 07 model years (or maybe 05 and 06). At any rate, there was no change to the engine during that shift. Honda simply went from specifying a 40-weight to specifying a 30-weight."[/color] Quote from bobistheoilguy, forum.
Just found this information, my bike is an 03. The difference in what year information was printed makes for a different spec. for same engine.

I was just going by the 06 & later manual, didn't know about the change. Honda did the same thing on cars without any engine changes went from 3w30 to 5w20 about Y2K.

[WingAdmin]

The online Honda service manual and my Haynes manual both specify 10W40 oil for GL1800's, just say n.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11429 ... e=9#manual

the online manual does not show you everything, in the paper manual, I can see at least 3 different oil viscosity recommendations based on ambient temperatures....

the 40w is for high temperature regions, South Texas, Arizona, the tropics...
If you live in Canada, they suggest 10w30

that said, though, I am using 5w40 T6 for a special reason I have already stated.

I do not have the official printed Honda Service Manual but everything I that have says 10W40 even the Owners Manual, that is also what the local Honda dealer puts in for a typical oil change on a GL1800. If what you say is true Honda has done a very poor job of getting the proper information out to the manual printers and the general public. But I guess that's what these forums are for is to pass on information as we understand it.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/80515 ... 134#manual
On page 1 of this manual it shows to be a copywrited Honda publication


"The shift from the 10W-40 specification to the 10W-30 specification occurred I *think* between the 06 and 07 model years (or maybe 05 and 06). At any rate, there was no change to the engine during that shift. Honda simply went from specifying a 40-weight to specifying a 30-weight." Quote from bobistheoilguy, forum.
Just found this information, my bike is an 03. The difference in what year information was printed makes for a different spec. for same engine.

This is right out of the 2003 GL1800 Owner's manual, on page 128. Every other model and year of Goldwing has the same type of chart in its owners manual.

GL1800 Oil Viscosity

[Alan_Hepburn]

I was just going by the 06 & later manual, didn't know about the change. Honda did the same thing on cars without any engine changes went from 3w30 to 5w20 about Y2K.

In most cases where the manufacturer starts specing a lighter weight oil it's to gain a bit on their CAFE ratings, or simply to advertise better fuel economy...

[AZgl1800]

That is exactly the chart that I was thinking of, but I don't have my Owner's Manual handy to find it.

Now that is "in my hands", it will be stored in my Notebook

As I mentioned earlier, I am using T6 at 5w40 ( I think I said 5w30 somewhere )
for a specific reason, the ADG issue on the '01 thru '05 bikes.

My little tiny bit of insurance to try and not shear that thing while starting the engine.
Paranoia to the Nth degree, but I am sticking with my story.

[DaveO430]

It is different in the 06+ owners manual, it does state 10w30 on 1 page then on another page is the chart (that I'm too lazy to post a screen shot of) which has 10/30 or 10/40 (on just 1 line) for all temperatures.

[WingAdmin]

It is different in the 06+ owners manual, it does state 10w30 on 1 page then on another page is the chart (that I'm too lazy to post a screen shot of) which has 10/30 or 10/40 (on just 1 line) for all temperatures.

Yup, I pulled a 2007 owner's manual, and here is the chart from it:

2007 Oil Viscosity Chart

[Rednaxs60]

Looked at an owner's manual for an '89 GL1500 page 79 and Honda specifies an oil that meets or exceeds SE, SF, SG API specs. The owner's manual for my '85 LTD requires SE, SF. No mention of anything else. As long as there are no friction modifiers, any oil that meets these specifications will work. No mention in the owner's manuals regarding the JASO specification. I have an 1800 as well. My thoughts on the "W" rating is purely for starting the bike in cold/cooler weather as it is a winter designation. The 30/40/50 designation is important to me. I remember the days when we put 30/40 weight oils in our cars for the summer time and changed to winter weight oils like a 10 weight for winter, then the companies started giving us the blended "W" oils. Something like an all season tire so to speak, then the discussions picked up.

Having mentioned the above, too much hype on JASO - nice to know though, wet clutches and the likes, just no friction modifiers in my books. European formulations that you can buy over here have no friction modifiers in the oils I have seen. I use Rotella T6 synthetic, works well. Have tried Lucas synthetic for bikes as well - it was on sale. I look for the best deal for my dollar - Rotella T6 on sale up here gets me into a good oil for ~$8.00 a litre, comparable to standard mineral bike oil at about the same price. Amsoil, Lucas and the likes can be north of $15.00.

Just thinking out loud. Cheers

[curtm]

thought this was the 1500 forum ??

[Alan_Hepburn]

Okay, I've read all these replies and I'm still confused. My GL1500 specifies that it wants 10W40 oil so I've been looking for Rotella T6 in that grade. It appears to be out of stock pretty much everywhere, but it looks like 5W40 is readily available. Will the 5W40 grade work for me, considering I live where we can see temperatures as low as 30 degrees and as high as 100 degrees? I seem to see the same problem with T5: lots of 5W40 and 15W40, but no 10W40. So, what would be better: 5W40, 10W40, or 15W40?

[DaveO430]

5/40 is fine in place of 10/40. The first # refers to it cold flow rating, the 40 is the main thing.