Golf cart oil change BEWARE
 

I purchased a 2020 Yamaha drive 2 efi quietech from the villages golf cart in LSL. I was about to change the oil. While looking at my owners Manuel, it recommended yamalube oil viscosity 10W-30 for temperatures 10 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 10W-40 for temperatures 10 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. So I went to TV golf cart LSL. Asked to purchase a quart of 10W-40 yamalube oil. They told me they didn't sell 10W40, just the 30. I said, but we will be in the mid 90s the whole summer. The Manuel says to use 10W40 in these temperatures. They had no answer for me other than, we only sell 10W30. So the oil changes they do, break down after 70 degrees. Tell me how how many engines get ruined by this practice. I'm going to buy the 10W40 for my oil change and do it myself.

Just buy Mobil 1, 10W40, do you think Yamaha is in the oil refinery business--all they do is package bulk oil

I hope you have a siphon I have a 2018 yamaha quiet-tech and they installed a plastic cover to insulate for noise... now it's impossible to drain the oil unless you remove the full length cover

Your right, had not looked underneath. I have to have TV golf to do it but I'll bring the oil.

I would ask the service people if they have another brand of 10W40 oil that they use for oil changes. I would be surprised if they use the Yamalube brand of oil. It's too expensive.

There is no excuse for a dealer to not have the correct oil. Especially if there's only two choices and they do oil changes all day, every day.

If it were me, I'd never return there. Besides, if you bought the right oil yourself and gave it them, who says they'll use it? You' will never know.

I would call an independent service company. There are many in The Villages that will come to your house. Do a search here on TOTV for their names.
If you want to do it yourself, the oil is available at many places online including Amazon and Walmart and oil change kits are available at many places online. I just looked.

No excuse for that. From a dealer no less!

Don’t fret about this. They have been making the same 357 cc engine for a long time and have recommended 10W-30. I run the recommended 10W-30 in mine (2014) with no issues. I have never heard of a single person having an engine issue. I run Mobil1 and change according the owner’s manual recommendation.

They use the Yamaha tune-up kits which include a quart of 10W-30 Yamalube, a spark plug (BPR2ES), a drain plug washer, fuel filter (not used for EFI version of the 357 cc engine), and the two air filters.

What manual are you finding this in? I looked in the 2020 manual and there is no mention of 10W40...

No need to sweat it, 10w30 will be just fine.

I jumped ship from the villages long ago for a variety of issues. Was tired of being told, I needed a new starter, new carburetor, new fuel pump, new clutches etc. As mentioned, I ran away from the villages, got a great mobile guy and my cart runs great and all I have to do is service it every year. Get away from the 8 dollar an hour guys with no training, youll be glad you did. Just my 2 cents

Bought siphon changed oil, no problem. Thanks for the tip.

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I never put anything but Amsoil into any combustion engine I own. Just my preference, but if you want the best, use Amsoil.

I have run two golf carts for seven years on The Villages oil changes without any problems. I do have the oil changed every six months.

They use 100% synthetic oil.

I agree. I have a Honda CR-V and an Accord. I decided to change my own oil. I asked a former Honda service manager what he recommended. He said he used 10W40 in the summer etc. I then looked in the manuals and they both said to use 0W20 all year. So I would imagine 10W30 would be fine for your cart. Just change it when recommended.

Very funny as a car is once a year now adays

They don’t package it either, they purchase it from the lowest bidder and furnish the containers, the packer delivers it to their distribution center and Yamaha sends its out, use any synthetic 10W 40 that meets Yamaha standards (any Yamaha oil package has the standards listed) just clone the standards!!!!!!!!!!!

You only need to change the oil once per year. If they change the oil they take responsibility. I have a 2018 and it’s fine.

Why even bother with them? There are a couple of "bring the service to you" golf cart mechanics in the area that will do the oil change at your home, and probably for less money. I'm sure they could supply the oil you need.

If you're interested, I use Todd Casey Cart Repair to service my cart. He comes to the house and does an expert job checking out my cart and changing the oil and filter. 352-465-3934.

I don’t know where the “70 degrees “ came from. 10w-30 oils are designed to optimally operate at 210 degrees which is a normal operating temp for an internal combustion engine.

Thanks for the info!!
 

I certainly didn't know this so thanks for the info. Question, does the engine have a plug at the bottom to drain the old oil? When I had my oil changed(the first time since I bought it), the guy used a suction pump thru the oil cap on top of the motor. I need a change as well but I'm being told I don't need it at 2,000 miles after the first change. Not sure.

If you go elsewhere, watch it doesn't negate your warrantee.

excellent plan. or get amsoil 10w-40.

Yep. I use Mobil 1 both oil and filter. The filters are rated for 20,000 miles, the oil 10,000. I change both at 10. However the wrench comes on at 5,000. I wonder why? Could it be they want you to pay for something you really don’t need. No, they wouldn’t do that.

Yes, Amsoil is the best. I've used it in all my engines since 1976. Vans, cars, motor cycle, ATV, snowmobiles, Carts, lawn mower. They all run till they rust apart. Plus drain time is extended.

I change the oil myself. Buy the cheap12 V pump from eBay-$25. It goes into the dip stick, works great. I was told change every 100 hours & it will last + 20 years. Nice & BLACK oil after 100 hours. I can't imagine going 500 hours between changes, that would be every 3 years?

Never had a problem with my 2013 Yamaha and always have oil changed in TV, once a year.

I would never consider using a 10W-40 oil in this age of synthetic oils. A quality full synthetic 0W-30 or 5W-30 will give you excellent start-up protection and once at operating temperature, excellent flow for cooling and extended wear protection. Today's 30 viscosity synthetics have much better high temperature shear strength than a conventional 40 viscosity oil. The only reason a 10W-30 oil exists is becasue they, before synthetic oil chemistry, couldn't easily make a 5W-30 oil. The only reason you can still buy a 10W-40 oil is because there are still some really old engines around whose manufacturers at the time recommended it. There is no good technical reason to use it.

Kenny. We just bought a gas cart- still waiting for it to be delivered.
I would like to know if you could share with me your great mobile guy? I Tried to private message you but it said you don’t accept private messages. So hopefully you will see this.

On my 2nd gas Yamaha never a problem with engine or oil change in 20 years they come to the house & do the route service Don’t worry.

I don't own a gas cart. But I would simply call the 800 number for Yamaha and ask for a service expert for an opinion about 10W-30 vs 40 and whether it is ok that the local dealer is using a product other than that suggested by the manual.
1-866-747-4027
Of course they may refuse to answer your question and refer you back to your local dealer. Nah, I'm sure they will give you the answer to your concern.

The motor will love both , not a big issue .

Outside temps not engine temps.

Would you kindly supply more info on a pump. Thanks

Using the wrong oil could void your warranty if something goes wrong. Smart thinking. Thanks for the heads up as I will now check my 2010 Yamaha manual.

Your engine is not going to blow up because you have 10/40 vs 10/30. It'll run just fine with either.

I had 27,000 miles on my second cart and 23,000 on my first cart. the villages golf cart store in Brownwood changed my oil no problems.

Buy an oil vacuum tank at Tractor Supply. It is pumped to create a vacuum in the tank. A tube connected to the tank is insert into the oil indicator hole. The valve is released and the oil is sucked out. The tank holds gallons. Pays for itself in 2 changes.
Most auto parts stores will take the used oil.