PS-4 Engine Oil(Top 3 Best 2025)

One engine oil that has gained popularity in power sports and off-road applications is PS-4 Engine Oil, particularly among Polaris ATV and UTV users.

In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at PS-4 engine oil, its composition, benefits, compatibility, and the best PS-4 engine oil.

PS-4 Engine Oil

1. Polaris PS‑4 Full Synthetic 5W‑50 – 1 Quart

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Description: OEM Polaris full-synthetic 5W‑50 designed specifically for 4‑stroke engines like Polaris RZR, Sportsman, Ranger, and more.
Why it’s great: Powersports-grade base oil with a custom additive system to reduce deposits, wear, and corrosion; wide 5W‑50 viscosity handles everything from cold starts to high heat.

2. Polaris PS‑4 Full Synthetic 5W‑50 – 1 Gallon

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Description: A larger 1-gallon jug of the same PS‑4 5W‑50 oil — ideal for multiple oil changes or garages.
Why choose it: Better cost-per-ounce (~$0.50/oz) and still comes with the same full synthetic, anti-wear, rust‑fighting formula.

3. Polaris PS‑4 Extreme 0W‑50 Oil Change Kit – 2.5 Qt + Filter

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Description: A complete kit with 2.5 quarts of PS‑4 EXtreme 0W‑50 oil, OEM filter, and crush washer.
Why it’s top-tier: 0W‑50 formulation features PAO‑ester base for extreme performance in cold and ultra-high ambient temps (–45 °F to 130 °F).

What is PS-4 Engine Oil?

PS-4 stands for Polaris Synthetic 4-Cycle Oil. It is a full-synthetic engine oil specifically engineered by Polaris for use in their off-road vehicles, including ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles), snowmobiles, and some motorcycles.

Unlike conventional oils, PS-4 is formulated to handle extreme conditions such as high temperatures, heavy loads, and dusty or wet environments.

It is most commonly available in 5W-50 viscosity, although other formulations exist. The 5W rating ensures good cold-start protection, while the 50 rating indicates it maintains its viscosity even in hot engine conditions.

Key Features of PS-4 Engine Oil

1. Full Synthetic Formula

Being a full synthetic oil, PS-4 offers superior thermal and oxidative stability compared to conventional or semi-synthetic oils. This translates to longer life, cleaner operation, and less engine wear.

2. All-Season Protection

PS-4 is designed to work in a wide range of temperatures. Its 5W-50 formulation ensures easy starts in cold weather and protection against breakdown in high heat—ideal for all-season use.

3. Detergent and Dispersant Additives

The oil includes powerful detergents and dispersants that help keep the engine clean by preventing sludge and varnish buildup.

4. High Shear Stability

Shear stability ensures the oil maintains its viscosity under high stress, which is important for protecting engines under load, especially in off-road and high-RPM conditions.

5. Corrosion and Rust Protection

It is essential for vehicles that may not be used every day. PS-4 protects internal engine parts even during periods of storage or inactivity.

Why Use PS-4 Oil in Polaris Vehicles?

Polaris specifically recommends and manufactures PS-4 for their line of off-road vehicles. While you can technically use another oil that meets the same viscosity and API service requirements, there are several reasons to stick with PS-4:

Warranty Protection: Using PS-4 helps maintain compliance with Polaris’s warranty recommendations.
Tailored Performance: It’s tested and validated for Polaris engine designs, including their ProStar engines.
Convenience: It’s available in service kits that include oil and filters matched to your specific model.

PS-4 vs. Other Engine Oils

Feature	PS-4 Engine Oil	Conventional Oil	Synthetic Blend
Base Type	Full Synthetic	Mineral	Synthetic/Conventional Mix
Viscosity Range	5W-50 (typical)	10W-30 or 10W-40	10W-40
Oxidation Resistance	Excellent	Low	Medium
Cold Start Performance	Superior	Poor	Moderate
Price	Higher	Lower	Moderate

How Often Should You Change PS-4 Oil?

Polaris recommends changing your oil every 25 to 50 hours of operation or once per season, depending on how heavily and frequently you ride. For new vehicles, a break-in oil change is typically recommended after the first 25 hours.

Compatible Polaris Vehicles

PS-4 oil is compatible with a wide range of Polaris models, including:

Polaris Sportsman ATVs
Polaris Ranger UTVs
Polaris RZR Side-by-Sides
Polaris General
Polaris ACE
Some snowmobiles and motorcycles

FAQs

What does PS-4 mean in oil?

PS-4 stands for Polaris Synthetic 4-Cycle Oil. It is a full synthetic engine oil formulated specifically for Polaris 4-stroke engines, such as those found in ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, and other powersports vehicles. The oil is designed to offer excellent performance under extreme operating conditions like high loads, dust, mud, cold starts, and intense heat.

What is R4 engine oil?

R4 engine oil typically refers to Shell Rimula R4, a heavy-duty diesel engine oil. It is used in commercial trucks, tractors, and off-road diesel machinery. Shell Rimula R4 often comes in variants like R4 X (15W-40) and is designed to provide wear protection, engine cleanliness, and acid neutralization for diesel engines. It is not related to PS-4 oil, which is designed for smaller 4-stroke powersports engines.

What weight oil is PS-4?

PS-4 engine oil is commonly available in 5W-50 viscosity. This means:

5W = good cold-weather flow, helping with easy starts.
50 = maintains its thickness and protective qualities at high engine temperatures.

Polaris also offers PS-4 Extreme in 0W-50, which flows even better in extreme cold and still protects in high-heat conditions.

What is a good substitute for PS-4 oil?

While PS-4 is recommended for Polaris vehicles, some acceptable substitutes include full synthetic 4-stroke oils that meet the same viscosity (5W-50 or 0W-50) and API service classification (usually SN or higher).

Examples of substitutes :

Amsoil 5W-50 Synthetic ATV/UTV Motor Oil
Mobil 1 5W-50 Full Synthetic
Royal Purple High Performance Synthetic 5W-50

Note: Using non-Polaris oil could potentially void your warranty, so make sure it meets or exceeds the OEM requirements.

What does PS mean in engines?

In the context of engines, PS can mean different things depending on usage:

In horsepower measurements:
PS = Pferdestärke, a German term for horsepower.
1 PS ≈ 0.986 hp (imperial).
In Polaris oil (PS-4):
PS stands for Polaris Synthetic, referring to the proprietary synthetic oil line.

Always consider the context when interpreting “PS.”

Who makes PS-4 oil?

PS-4 oil is manufactured by Polaris Industries, but the actual oil formulation and production are typically outsourced to a third-party oil manufacturer that meets Polaris’s strict OEM specifications. Polaris does not publicly disclose the exact manufacturer, but it’s believed to be a well-known lubricant company specializing in synthetic oils.