Using the right kind of oil for lawn mower is essential if you are to make the most out of your equipment. Just like a regular car engine, lawn mowers have engines that function to spin the cutting blades. Using the wrong kind of oil will cause lots of problems for your machine.
Before you go about changing the oil in your lawn mower there are some aspects you need to take into consideration. You need to understand the oil types that are best for the climatic conditions of your area.
You also need to know about the oil capacity of your lawn mower as well as the type of lawn mower you use.
Intricate details like this will help bring out the best out of your engine.
Lawn Mower Oil Types
Different oils work at varying temperatures because of their composition and weight.
The connotation developed by the society of automotive engineers to test the viscosity, thickness and temperature is a useful tool in identifying the right engine oil for your lawn mower.
The connotation is called the SAE system and is usually printed on the bottle of the can to indicate if the oil is synthetic or not.
Here are Some Common SAE Oil Types to Choose from
SAE 30
SAE 30 oil type work best at warmer temperatures and it’s most ideal for smaller engines.
SAE 10W-30
This is a lighter variant that improves cold weather starting but may result in higher oil consumption.
SAE 5W-30
Perfect for cold temperatures.
Vanguard W-50
Innovative technology-driven lawn mower oil that suits a wide range of temperatures. It’s best for commercial and landscaping businesses.
Synthetic SAE
Improved oil suitable for all temperatures and lesser oil consumption.
Oils listed here are classified as SF, SH, SJ and SG use or higher.
Read More: How to Change a Lawn Mower Blade?
Is Synthetic Oil Right for Lawn Mower use?
Emphatically yes. You can use synthetic oil for your lawnmower engines. If you operate the Briggs and Stratton small engine lawn mower, the synthetic 5w30 or 10w30 oil is appropriate for all weather conditions.
However, do not circumvent regular maintenance just because you use synthetic oils to mow your lawn. Engine break-in period is the same with synthetic oils.
You May Also Read: How to Drain Gas from Lawn Mower?
Why You must Use the Right Oil?
Oil acts as a lubricant that helps the proper functioning of intricate parts of the motor. It drastically reduces the friction between the parts which in turn cools it down to avoid overheating things up.
Very heavy oil or the wrong oil can gum up the piston, valves and other internal motor parts hereby causing the motor parts to move slower than normal.
Subsequently, using lighter oil will not lubricate the internal parts well enough hereby causing overheating of the piston and valve.
Also Read: How to Tune up a Lawn Mower?
Identifying the Appropriate Small Engine Oil Type?
When determining the right type of oil to use, temperature is a very big factor to consider. Small engines used outdoor, perform well with 5W30 synthetic oil.
If you own a lawn mower operated in hot climatic conditions, opt for the Vanguard 15W50 synthetic oil for best results.
How to Check the Oil level of Your Lawn Mower
To check the oil level of your lawn mower, take the following steps:
- Apply a little clockwise pressure to the dipstick cap to twist it open
- Remove the cap and clean with a rag to make for clear reading
- Place the clean dipstick cap back into the groove ensuring that the teeth of the cap match the groove top.
- Apply some pressure again by turning the cap anticlockwise to lock it.
- Now remove the cap again as before to view the oil level
- Pour oil via the groove in ounces at a time if oil levels are low.
- Allow some time to elapse before rechecking oil levels.
When is the Best Time to Change Lawn Mower Oil?
The right time to change the oil in engine largely depends on manufacturers specifics. Some engines are designated as “no–oil change” meaning all you need do is check and add. Consult your owner’s Manuel for specific instructions on when to change the oil. Ideally, you should change the oil once every spring or summer mowing or after every 55 hours of mow time, whichever one comes first.
Can I Mix Oil with Gas in a Mower?
Most residential lawn mowers are made with 4 cycle engines that move gas and oil into separate reservoirs. So don’t attempt to mix them up together. Consult the manufacturer or Manuel to find out the engine type of your lawn mower.