What Oil in Kawasaki FX

[ZHY57]

I got a new Kawasaki FX850 motor on a zero turn. I am wondering what is the best motor oil to use? I know Kawasaki has labeled oil, but know nothing about it. I also wonder about multi weight oil or just using 30 weight. Thanks

 

[166]

I'd just use the Kawasaki label 10w-40 Syn Blend w/ Zinc. It's priced pretty reasonable for the quality of the oil.

Extreme hot weather they recommend the 20w-50 or the new Full Synthetic 15w-50.

 

[Larry B]

Any SJ rated oil will work fine. Depending on the highest and lowest ambient temp machine will operate at you may need 10W40 for really hot weather but 10W30 or straight 30W will work fine.
The house brand Rural King oil is SJ rated. I buy it by the gallon.

 

[PissRev]

I've always used Rotella 15w40 and a Motorcraft FL910S filter.

 

[Steve]

I run kawasaki filter and kawasaki branded 30wt in mine. I tryed 10w40 last season and it started using oil. Went from full to add in a little over 5 hours of use. Switched back to 30wt and its been fine. Engine has 120 hours on it.

Really any oil will be fine using the correct weight for the operating temperature. Just try to stay away from oils with the energy conserving star on them. They are designed for use in engines equiped with catalytic converters (cars and trucks). They dont contain any Zinc/phosphorus type additives. Won't really hurt anything but its like sitting on a wood stool vs. a lazyboy. If you have the choice, your gonna sit in the comfy one.

 

[Stump Shot]

The zinc is important.

 

[dmb2613]

Kawasaki recommends their 10 w 40 and 20 w 50 for very hot conditions, they also will not warranty any other oil. I just went to their school last month , So I do know what I am talking about. You have a new engine dont void the warranty, their oil is designed for high temp operation and is not recommended for automobile engines . That is what the Kawasaki tech said at school.

 

[Marshy]

You wont find too many oils that are 10W-40 synthetic blend with Zinc. They dont typically put zinc on the lable unless it has extra in it. It's also a good thing to have. The automotive industry as a whole has been moving away from using Zinc for a while. Diesel oils still contain high levels of it as compared to normal automotive oil but I wouldn't recommend you use a 15W oil. Ultimately that will reduce the protection on startup and still may not contain the correct additives Kawi oil has.

 

[ZHY57]

I have decided to go with the Kawasaki 10-40 for now. When I saw the added zinc on the label above it sold me. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Steve]

I have decided to go with the Kawasaki 10-40 for now. When I saw the added zinc on the label above it sold me. Thanks for all the input.

Good choice!

 

[RI Chevy]

Kawasaki recommends their 10 w 40 and 20 w 50 for very hot conditions, they also will not warranty any other oil. I just went to their school last month , So I do know what I am talking about. You have a new engine dont void the warranty, their oil is designed for high temp operation and is not recommended for automobile engines . That is what the Kawasaki tech said at school.

This!!!

 

[Larry B]

screenshot from the manual for the engine. It recommends SJ or SL rated oil. Mfgrs always spew the BS that unless you use their oil or whatever it voids the warranty. Not true but you can't prove what is or isn't in the crankcase. You are at the dealers mercy for warranty work anyway. Everyone should run what makes them happy.

 

[Steve]

Look at how narrow the window for 30wt is. Alot narrower than i remembered.

 

[RI Chevy]

They do an oil analysis on the oil if you have an issue. If the oil isn't theirs, they will try and do everything they can to void any warranty.

 

[166]

I'm guessing the OP is using this for his own personal use. So he's probably looking at one or maybe two oil changes a year. Is it worth saving a few bucks on an oil change?

The keyword is Zinc. All these air cooled engines need zinc in the oil.

 

[RI Chevy]

What does the Zinc do Steve?

 

[Larry B]

For a mfgr to say warranty is void unless you use a specific product they have to put it in some form of printed matter that comes with the product. Also who will warranty the engine? Kawasaki or the mower mfgr? Probably 99% of engine scoring and seizing issues are customer caused and dealers and mfgrs know that. Joe Blow runs it low or out of oil locks it up and then dumps in a quart and runs back to the dealer. They know the game.

 

[RI Chevy]

They (Kawasaki) have the upper hand in these types of matters. Run whatever oil you choose to.
Just trying to help. If they are planning to warranty a motor with an issue and can prove their oil wasn't inside, then they will. THEY have the power in these situations and you can plead your case until your blue in the face. You'll be on the outside looking in.

 

[dmb2613]

WE sell the Kawasaki oil for $4.95 a quart, it takes 2 quarts. Kawasaki has the best gas lawn mower engine on the market by far. We sell Kubota mowers. WE only order gas ones with the Kawasaki engines. They give no trouble. The dam Brigs, Kohler and Honda engines are just not up to snuff now. I know what I am talking about, I am not an arm chair quarterback. You can take it for what it is worth, you are nuts if you have one and dont use Kawasaki oil.

 

[Larry B]

Good luck getting warranty work from any engine mfgr. In the manual from Kaw it specifies API SJ or SL oil.
For a while a Tractor Supply had me to to do warranty work. They never warranted an engine. There was no oil analysis. Just NO.