What is the Best Motor Oil for Lawn Mowers
What’s the best motor oil to use on lawn mowers and small engines? Doc discusses the options and shows some tips for getting your equipment ready now that spring is coming. Keep in mind that all manufacturers say YES to synthetic and synthetic blends. The best motor oil is a SAE 5W 30 or SAE 10W 30. These offer a wide range of temps but perfect for the lawn mowing season.
Best small engine oil
The oil that Doc uses. When ordered by the case it costs about $5 a quart.
Easy Drain oil change tubes.
Most Honda GX series take this size (10mm), but READ your owner’s manual to make sure.
Oil Drain Mats
Reel Mower Doc Uses
Doc’s rules… 1- 25″ or wider and a front roller. 2- You can easily work on and backlap yourself. 3- Below $2000 plus shipping.
Understanding Oil Viscosities
Viscosity is notated using the common classification “XW-XX”. The number preceding the “W” (winter) rates the oil’s flow (viscosity) at zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 degrees Celsius). The lower the number, the less the oil thickens in cold weather.
The numbers after the “XW” indicate viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius and represent the oil’s resistance to thinning at high temperatures.
For instance, oil with a 5W-30 grade thickens less than oil with a 10W-30 grade in cold weather. Oil with a 5W-30 grade thins out more quickly at high temperatures as compared to oils with a 5W-40 grade.
During winter and for cooler regions, your engine will benefit from using oil with low winter viscosity. During summer and in hotter regions, your engine will benefit more from oil with higher viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius.
When comparing oils, it is important to take into account the location in which the car will be used. Thin oils that are less prone to thickening in low temperatures will help you start your engine more quickly in winter while thick oils that are less prone to thinning in hot temperatures will help your engine perform better in summer. As a result, 0W-20 and 5W-30 oils have been developed for colder climates while 15W-40 and 20W-50 oils have been developed with hotter climates in mind.
Synthetic Oils – From Briggs & Stratton
Yes! We have modified our engine oil recommendations to state that you may now use a synthetic 5W30 (100074WEB) or 10W30 oil in all temperature ranges. We recommend the use of Briggs & Stratton Synthetic Oil. The use of this high-quality detergent oil assures compliance with Briggs & Stratton warranty requirements regarding the use of appropriate oil. Engine break-in procedures using synthetic oil remain the same. Keep in mind that the use of synthetic oil does not prevent you from performing your regularly scheduled lawn mower maintenance (i.e. check oil, change oil, etc.).
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