There are different types of lawn mowers and they run on different engines. To get the best performance from your mower, you need to be sure of exactly what type of oil is suitable to use with it. This way, your mower’s engine will continue to work smoothly for a long time to come.
In other words, if you use the right kind of engine oil in your lawn mower, you will be able to extract many years of life out of it, thus, getting the best bang of your buck. You will also notice that if you use the right kind of engine oil in your mower, it will reduce the overall oil consumptions and your cost of repairs and maintenance.
In this post, we will guide you in finding the best oil for your lawn mower, one that will boost the life of your machine. So let’s begin!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
The best oil for small engines that works in most climates is Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W motor oil. This will serve you well even if you use synthetic oil in a lawn mower. The reason it’s the best oil for lawn mower is that a huge number of customers have used it and all reported its effectiveness.
With Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W, oil consumption drops down, the engine begins to perform well with less friction and stays cool for longer, continuing to run like new.
It is a superb synthetic oil for air-cooled engines as well. Equally great as 4-stroke synthetic oil or 4-cycle engine oil, this engine oil is the biggest name in the lawn mower industry. It is highly recommended by a number of users and hence you can use it for OEM engine oil replacement. This small engine oil is recommended for all types of lawn mowers and it will limit all your maintenance and repair costs as well.
Configuration: 30W
Type: SAE
Meets specifications: 4-cycle engines
Quantity: 48 ounces
Pros:
- Top quality engine oil best known for keeping engines cool.
- Has a tendency to reach those small areas in your mower’ engine and keep them friction-free.
- Your small engine will remain clean for longer periods and your oil change intervals will increase significantly.
Cons:
- Not the ideal option for high temperatures.
Types of Oil for Lawn Mower
As we have mentioned, there are different types of lawn mowers that require different types of engine oil. Some people also use motor oils for this purpose, which work in a similar fashion. These motor engine oils are designed to work in smaller engines as well, so you can use them too. But we would suggest that you use those motor oils only when you don’t have access to dedicated mower oils.
You need to make the right choice based on the climate in which you live. We have listed some of the most frequently-used types of oil from different regions and continents.
SAE 30
There are SAE 30 small engine oils that are designed for warmer climates. They are by far the most frequently used motor oil for small engines, and are installed in machines like lawn mowers.
SAE 10W 30
These oils are made for climates where temperature varies. While this oil has a tendency to increase the overall oil consumption, it is good in cold starting.
SAE 5W 30 Synthetic
These oils cover the discrepancy of increased oil consumption, and also stays effective in cold starting.
SAE 5W 30 Semi-Synthetic
These oils are better suited for extremely cold temperatures.
Vanguard 15W 30
If you are looking for a wide temperature range, then you need to go for Vanguard 15W 30. This oil is excellent for consistent use, and you can use it for commercial purposes.
When you are going for mower oil, choose top-quality oil with classified detergency. This includes the likes of For Service SI, SH, SG, SF, or anything higher. And don’t go for any of those special additives. Synthetic types are suitable in all temperatures. Using this oil will not alter the intervals for oil change.
Oil capacity of different lawn mowers may also vary from one to another. If we’re talking about walk-behind mowers, then the oil capacity will range typically from 16 ounces to 18 ounces. But in the case of riding mowers, the oil capacity ranges from 48 ounces to 64 ounces. You need to change your mower’s engine oil annually or every 100 hours, whichever comes first.
Best Oil for Lawn Mower
| Oil for lawn mower | Best for |
| Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W | Briggs & Stratton and almost all other lawn mowers |
| John Deere SAE 10W 30 Turf-Gard | Craftsman lawn mower |
| Briggs & Stratton 5W 30 Synthetic | Briggs & Stratton and almost all other lawn mowers |
| Toro SAE 30 | Troy Bilt and other lawn mowers |
| Honda PK2 SAE 10W 30 | Honda and other lawn mowers |
| Kohler PK2 10W 30 | Kohler and Troy Bilt lawn mowers |
| Pennzoil SAE 30W | Briggs & Stratton and Honda lawn mowers |
The top best product [hide]
John Deere SAE 10W 30 Turf-Gard
- Top quality small engine oil.
- Reduce deposit formation.
- Limits friction.
Briggs & Stratton 5W 30 Synthetic
- Stops varnish and sludge protection.
- Great in cold conditions.
- Good enough for riding lawn mowers.
Toro SAE 30
- Drops fuel consumption.
- Top choice as lawn tractor motor oil.
Honda PK2 SAE 10W 30
- Prevents sludge from developing.
- Great for overall engine lubrication.
- Best for Honda powered lawn mowers.
Kohler PK2 10W 30
- No varnish or sludge building.
- Top notch engine performance with excellent lubrication.
- The movement of machine parts stays quick and efficient.
Pennzoil SAE 30W
- Great for old engines.
- Runs smoothly.
- Better for different temperatures.
Oil Type by Lawn Mower Model
Briggs & Stratton
Engine type: OHV engine
Oil capacity: 18 ounce
Engine power: 140cc
The Briggs & Stratton lawn mower has a 0.8L OHV engine with 18 ounce oil capacity. The manufacturer recommends using standard, API SM certified 5W 30 or 10W 30 oil, but the following are also useful:
Briggs & Stratton SAE 30W
John Deere SAE 10W 30 Turf-Gard
Craftsman lawn mower
Engine type: Single cylinder
Oil capacity: 48 ounces
Engine power: 500cc
The Craftsman lawn mower has 0.8L single cylinder engine with engine oil capacity of 48 ounces. The ideal oil type for this mower is the API SM certified 10W 30 or 5W 30 motor oil. However, you can also opt for following:
John Deere SAE 10W 30 Turf-Gard
Briggs & Stratton 5W 30 Synthetic
Troy Bilt lawn mower
Engine type: Single cylinder
Oil capacity: 48 ounces
Engine power: 100cc to 500cc
The Troy Bilt lawn mowers feature different engines and most of them have 48 ounces of engine oil capacity. They recommend going for API SM certified 10W 30 or 5W 30 oils. Nevertheless, you can choose these too:
John Deere SAE 10W 30 Turf-Gard
Honda PK2 SAE 10W 30
Briggs & Stratton 5W 30 Synthetic
Bolens lawn mower
Engine type: OHV engine
Oil capacity: 48 ounces
Engine power: 125cc +
The Bolens lawn mower features an OHV engine with 48 ounce oil capacity. Bolens suggests choosing standard 5W 30 or 10W 40 API engine oil. But these are good as well:
Kohler PK2 10W 30
Pennzoil SAE 30W
MTD lawn mower
Engine type: OHV engine
Oil capacity: 32 ounces
Engine power: 150cc +
The MTD lawn mower has an OHV engine with 32 ounces oil capacity. The best oil type for this mower is 10W 30 but you can also choose the following:
Kohler PK2 10W 30
Honda PK2 SAE 10W 30
Oil for Lawn Mower - Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
Oil types for lawn mowers
Viscosity
Quantity
Is there any difference between a 4-cycle oil and a regular one?
Can I use my motor vehicle engine oil in my lawn mower?
The best time to change oil in a lawn mower?
How to check the lawn mower oil level
You have to follow the following steps to check the oil level in your lawn mower.
- Just apply a slight pressure (clockwise) on the dipstick cap to twist it open.
- Now remove that cap and, using a rag, clean it for clear reading.
- Place the dipstick cap (cleaned) back and match the groove top with the cap’s teeth.
- Now, with some pressure, turn the cap (counterclockwise) to lock it.
- Do the 1st step again and twist the cap clockwise with a slight pressure.
- Remove that cap again and see the oil level.
- If the level is low, fill it in ounces and close the cap.
- Give it some time and check the level again by repeating all the above steps.
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