Manufacturer Recommended Motor Oil
When you purchase an outboard motor, motorcycle, waverunner, or any of a number of small vehicles and appliances that use motor oil, often the manufacturer will recommend the use of their branded motor oil. In some cases, the manufacturer might even tell the customer that the engine will wear down if a specific motor oil brand isn’t used. In most cases, this is not true. While the manufacturer’s branded motor oil can contain special additives that will help the engine run at its best, most motor oils intended for the same purpose will achieve the same effect. For example, a Yamaha dealer might recommend their Yamaha 2M oil for use in a Yamaha outboard motor, but an outboard motor oil from Evinrude or Mercury will work just as well.
Knowing that you can use other motor oils can save you a lot of money in the long run. Don’t just buy at the dealership either, shopping around at local marinas or online you can find better deals on motor oil.