I’ve ridden a few Yamaha ATVs and done a few oil changes in my time. When I would do an oil change I would often wonder what oil to use. So, I did some research on what oil is best for the different models of Yamaha ATVs, and here’s what I found.
Overall, Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 is the best for all Yamaha ATVs. However, the exact oil viscosity depends on the climate the Yamaha ATV will be ridden. Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 is recommended for temperatures between 10 °F to 110 °F (-10 °C to 40 °C), which covers most climates.
For temperatures below that or above that a higher and lower viscosity oil is recommended. Below, I’ll describe exactly what oil you should use for the different temperature ranges, as well as, exactly how much oil the most common Yamaha ATVs take.
Do You Have To Use Yamaha Oil in a Yamaha ATV?
Since it can be difficult to source oil sometimes, and it’s common to have some oil lying around, I was curious whether you must use Yamaha oil in a Yamaha ATV. Based on my research here’s what I found.
As a general rule, you should always use Yamaha oil. It’s recommended by Yamaha and it’s specially formulated for their engines. Technically, you can use any 4 stroke engine oil that is SAE JASO MA certified oil, provided it is the right viscosity for your climate.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who report they use any kind of oil that does or doesn’t have the required certification. Which is SAE JASO MA. And they say they have done so without any failures or noticeable differences.
But, in my opinion, it’s best to err on the side of caution and stick with the Yamalube brand as much as possible.
I have analyzed all of the user manuals for the common Yamaha ATVs such as the Grizzly, Kodiak, and Raptor. Including both Utility and Sport ATVs. And I compiled all of the data in the tables below:
Utility – Yamaha Grizzly ATVs Recommended Oil and the Oil Capacity
| Yamaha ATV Model | Type of Oil | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Grizzly 125 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 1.25 L (1.32 US qt, 1.10 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 250 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 1.50 L (1.59 US qt, 1.32 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 350 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.20 L (2.33 US qt, 1.94 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 450 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 550 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.00 L (2.11 US qt, 1.76 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 660 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 1.90 L (2.01 US qt) (1.67 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 700 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.00 L (2.11 US qt, 1.76 Imp.qt) |
| Grizzly 80 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 0.80 L (0.85 US qt, 0.70 Imp. qt) |
Utility – Yamaha Kodiak ATV Recommended Oil and the Oil Capacity
| Yamaha ATV Model | Type of Oil | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Kodiak 400 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt) |
| Kodiak 450 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt) |
| Kodiak 700 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 2.00 L (2.11 US qt, 1.76 Imp.qt) |
Sport Yamaha ATVs Recommended Oil and the Oil Capacity
| Yamaha ATV Model | Type of Oil | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Raptor 90 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 0.8 L (0.84 US qt) (0.70 Imp.qt) |
| YFZ50 | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 0.35 L (0.37 US qt) (0.31 Imp.qt) |
| YFZ450R | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt) |
| Raptor 700R | Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 or cold weather | 1.75 L (1.54 Imp qt, 1.85 US qt |
For the oil capacity, there are two numbers. One is for with the oil filter already soaked in oil. For example, if you’re topping it up. And the other is for a dry oil filter. The difference is only very small between the two. On average, about a quarter of a cup of oil. So, I have included the smaller of the two numbers. That way there’s no chance you’ll overfill the oil.
Thinner Oil in Very Cold Climates and Thicker Oil in Very Hot Climates
Also, Yamaha only currently sells 10W-40 oil and cold weather oil. However, it’s possible to get a thicker oil that isn’t Yamaha branded. For almost all climates though 10W-40 is perfect. The difference is in how thick the oil is. In hot climates, thicker oil is better, and in a cooler climate, thinner oil is better.
The reason is the runnier the oil is the easier it can get throughout the engine. But, you don’t want it to be too runny, otherwise, it won’t perform as it should.
A higher number on the left means it’s thicker, and a lower number means it’s runnier. For example, 5W-30 oil is runnier than 10W-30 oil.
You should match the oil to the climate in which you ride your ATV, and here’s an image taken from the Yamaha user manual that shows what viscosity (thickness) the oil should be based on the temperature.
What Kind of Oil Does a Yamaha Grizzly Take?
Yamaha Grizzly ATVs are some of the most well-known Yamaha ATVs, and so what oil does the Yamaha Grizzly take.
Overall, Yamalube 4-stroke – 10W-40 for climates that are 10 °F to 110 °F (-10 °C to 40 °C). For temperatures colder than that use Yamalube 4-stroke cold weather engine oil. If the temperature where you drive your ATV never falls below 50 °F (10 °C) you can use thicker oil.
The temperature ranges are very precise. To know exactly what viscosity oil to use refer to the image above that shows the temperature ranges for the different viscosities of oil.
How Much Oil Does a Yamaha Grizzly Take?
It’s also important to know how much oil an ATV takes, that way you know how much to buy. So, how much oil does a Yamaha Grizzly take?
A Yamaha Grizzly takes 0.80 L (0.85 US qt, 0.70 Imp. qt) to 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp. qt) depending on the model. A good rule of thumb is 1 to 2 liters (1 qt to 2 qt). To know exactly how much refer to the table above that has data from the owner’s manuals.
If your specific model isn’t listed in the table, then it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual to see exactly how much oil it takes.
