Pretty much the same for me (I must be about 5 years younger than LakeCleElum :D)........That said, I never owned that exact model of ATV.... maybe it acts more like the various automatic "car" transmissions that indeed use different types of "transmission" fluid depending on the type of clutchpacks in them.

When I hear the term wet clutch, my mind goes to standard motorcycle manual clutches and Honda style ATV/minibike automatic clutches that both have worked for years for me using any old car "motor" oil dumped in their combination crankcase/gearboxes.

I didn't mean to come off like I was doubting you guys, or suggesting you have an agenda. Just that some reports out there suggest that using non-cycle oil cause the clutch to slip. It could be some of those clutches were not in great condition anyhow.

Any oil is better than old oil...

Soukus: No offense taken. I'm not into ATV's; just reporting my MC experience. I've worked on my neighbors Polaris 700 4x4. It has a CVT clutch like snowmobiles; doesn't run in oil at all. I assumed other brands were the same? Dunno?

The Grizzly is like Kurt described earlier, wet internal clutch and dry belt.

Anyhow, I figured I'd update the thread. I am pretty busy these days so I didn't bother with getting spec oil. While working on the ATV last weekend I was drilling out a rusted bolt and got a little careless. I contacted an oil line (engine to cooler) with the drill bit and it went though the line's protective outer rubber layer. I frayed the corded layer of the pressure containing line a bit so I was worried it might leak.

I had 1.5 quarts of Penzoil 10W40 none "Energy Conserving" oil left. The engine only needs 2.6 quarts, so I blended the oil with some "Energy COnserving" 5W30 to get the right level.

I don't know how old the I drained out was, (I got lazy and didn't change it when I bought the ATV a year ago), but the new oil sure made the engine sound better. It's an automatic clutch so I don't know if the wettted clutch is slipping, but the next time I really us the ATV to plow I'll know....maybe. I figure if I did have a leak in that hose, I'd have to drain the oil anyhow. If I sense any adverse operation, I'll just drain and put something else in there.

The new oil got dark pretty instantly, so there was plenty of dirty oil in the cooler and lines, so I may just drain and fill with more fresh oil.

Did you change the filter?
What year is your ATV? I know the 05-07 grizzly is the same as a Kodiak, they just market it as the kodiak in canada.

Yes.

10W-40 ATV/MOTORCYCLE by Valvoline is what you want next time.