Choosing the Right Oil for Your ATV
By J.J. Lee
Why choose synthetic lubricants for your ATV? The answer is easy: You want to get the most out of your quad, so naturally you want to put the best oil possible into it.
If you think about it, oil to any vehicle, ATV or not, is like blood is to humans. We can't live without it, and neither can your ATV. Although it seems there are thousands of choices when selecting a lubricant, we believe there are really only two: synthetic and conventional oils. 
Truth is, the advantages of using synthetic oil versus conventional petroleum oil are tremendous. Here are the reasons why you should make synthetics the driving force behind your ATVs power.
Protection: Your oil needs the ability to protect the engine and all its moving parts from the everyday damage done to your machine, thanks to friction, dust and dirt. Preventing corrosion also plays an important factor in keeping the engine sound.
Performance is also a key factor in choosing the right oil. Compared to conventional oils, synthetics burn cleaner and longer, and have low volatility to keep the oil from breaking down at extreme temps. Synthetic oils will not solidify in cold temperatures as do conventional oils, so they are good for easier cold weather starting. Most engine wear occurs at start up, so it's important that the oil lubricates the engine as quickly as possible, without having to wait for the oil to liquefy. Since synthetic oil can withstand conditions such as these, it seems easy to make the right choice.
Now the question everyone wants to know: Is it cost effective? Granted, a good synthetic oil can run a bit higher than conventional oil, but in the long run it will save consumers money. Not only from longer drain intervals, but from the protection your engine has by using a high quality oil and better fuel economy. Who doesn't need that in these days of ever-increasing gas costs? Anyone would agree that it is better to pay a little more each year for a good oil, rather than paying for a new engine or ATV a few years down the road.
For the purposes of this article we've focused on four stroke oils, but many of the same principles hold true for two stroke synthetic oils as well. Better engine protection, cleaner running operation and superior performance are normative with synthetic two stroke oils. And if you're doing winter riding in the northlands, you really want an oil that flows freely no matter how far below freezing you're riding.
In a perfect world, choosing the right motor oil would be easy. Pros and cons would be clear and oil companies would all agree on what makes a good oil.. Alas, it is not a perfect world so the decision is yours. I trust you will make the right one. After all, it's your quad we're talking about.
J.J.Lee is a freelance writer from Superior, WI
