Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net banner

Anyone stray from Polaris driveline fluids for thousands of miles?

6K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  4x4rider 
#1 ·
Another oil thread... you can read up on it till you're blind and not reach a consensus.

I just switched the engines to T6 Rotella 5w-40, and the Pure One filter which was highly rated I guess. It's really subjective, but it seemed like they both ran better/more power somehow. I'm sure it is wishful thinking lol.

I understand the demand drive is Mobil 424 hydraulic fluid, non synthetic, at least it's not labeled as such on the bottle.

The rear diff is gear lube, and I don't even think the Polaris stuff is synthetic, it sure doesn't say so on the bottle like the AGL does.

AGL is mystery synthetic lube. I have no idea why those simple gear boxes need a synthetic but the rear diff doesn't.

So I guess my question for those still running the 800, who has tons of miles on a machine with non po-po lubes, and do you know of any problems?

In tractors, at least older ones, special hydraulic fluid like Hy-tran (IHC) is used to lube the diffs. I can't imagine it isn't good enough for a little gear case like these machines have, but it's hard to take that chance.

Also what intervals do you change the trans/tcase/rear diff? Engine oil is one thing, it gets dirty in a variety of ways. And the front diff has special considerations also. But the others? I just did the second change on the engine oil on one machine without changing the agl or angle drive. I dipped the end of a zip tie into those fluids, and they are so clean they don't leave a trace of off colored stuff on a paper towel. That's with about 900 miles on I guess. Are we over changing these?
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Well I put full syn 75w-90 Delo in my rear axle about 300 miles ago after I did the pinion nut, we'll see. I did the Polaris fluid in the front and it is in the trans and engine. Next oil change I will most likely do a full syn 20-50 (I never ride when it's freezing). I will probably do 75w-90 in the trans too next time. I'm sure I will do the Polaris stuff in the front axle.

But to answer your question, lots of miles on non Polaris fluids? Not yet....

Are we changing too often? Who's "we"? My plan for now is once a year on the engine, not sure on my yearly hours/miles yet though, so that may change. Haven't really thought about the rest yet, it's only been about 300 miles so far.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I run all Amsoil in my machine. I have 1000 miles on my machine now. I change everything about every 400 miles or so, after the initial break in.

It all looks new when drained. I'm going to extend the transmission to every 1000 miles. The transmission oil literally looked like new fluid when drained this last time.

From the one thousand oil threads I've seen, I'd say the main thing is quality fluids, which include factory Polaris, and change them regularly.

I use a Wix engine oil filter. I know I err on the side of changing more than is called for, but dang, I see it as cheap insurance.
 
#10 ·
I've ran off brand synthetic universal atf in the front diff for a few thousand hard miles with no problems. For the rear diff, tcase and tranny I used royal purple gear oil, I forget what viscosity. For the engine I ran some 5w40 for a few years just cause I was given a 5 gallon pail of it. But now that I'm having to add oil after or during every ride I will try switching to something a little thicker.
 
#12 ·
AGL stands for Angle Gear Lube.

Just another confusing Polaris name for plain gear lube. Polaris wants to keep customers "in house" so as a marketing decision they won't provide information to find an alternative product.

Everything below in my fleet runs totally on AMSOIL and have used it for over 25 yrs.

UTV Product Lookup Guide
 
#19 ·
Respectfully kind sir, I’d love it if you had facts to support that position. Truly. I see lots of guys saying “I only run Polaris and its the best”, but I’ve never seen any data. So i’m simply asking, and i hope politely.

Certainly if one spent enough time at this you’d suspect otherwise. As just a few examples, if you studied BITOG a little you’d know Poo VOA studies have shown various types tested to be sort of a mid average “adequate” oil. PS-4 and AGL as examples. To be fair, i myself don’t doubt the front diff / final drive oil as it comes from Poo, i just know the OEM supplier to Polaris actually includes Deere J-20D oil as warranted and recommended. Not better from what i can tell, but certainly easier to get...

There have been adequate reports of transmission and gearcase failures to make one wonder. I’m sure I’m not the only guy observing top tier oil providers all specifying chain/gear case oils rated GL-5, while AGL VOA, and substantial forum feedback, suggest it’s much closer to ATF.

But enough from me.

Thanks for anything you might share.

D
 
#16 ·
I’ve been running all Polaris lubricants so far. I run my machine hard, so I change everything after ~400 miles or after every long trip (250-500 miles). Basically, if I think the next trip is gonna put me over that 400 mile mark, I will change it all before I go. It costs me very little to change these fluids when I only get to put about 1000 miles per year on, so why would I NOT change them prematurely? Never gonna hurt to always have fresh fluids.
 
#17 ·
i had a 2010 rzr 's 800 since new. sold it about a year ago. Had over 16,000 miles of desert on it when she left. I only used Polaris OEM oils in her. My thought is that the OEM'S are not going to develop/use oil that is sub par. Changed the oils at proper intervals. I do not believe that anyone does more testing on which oils for their product that the OEM'S. I believe that there are some good oils out there but what testing have they done or did they test the OEM oils and come up with their own. I have a Polaris General at home now and a new Maverick x3'rs. both will be kept with their own respected oils. Have no reason to change. Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
 
#20 ·
I use Rotella T6 5W40 in the engine. I like a little more ZDDP in the oil for engines like the Rzr 800 so I add about 2 oz of Lucas ZDDP additive to the engine oil.

I use synthetic 75W90 gear oil in the rear axle. Think I used Valvoline last oil change.

I use tractor universal fluid in the front differential...currently using Champion.

I also use tractor universal fluid in the gear boxes and add a moly additive.

Runs nice and smooth and no oil consumption. 2500 miles so far.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top