The specific oil recommendations for your small engine are dependent on the engine's manufacturer. Your best source of information regarding the type and grade of oil for your unit's engine would be the manual that came with your machine. That being said, here are a few basic guidelines to help you chose the right oil for your small engine:
- Use standard SAE 30 in warmer temperatures of 40° F and higher (5° C and higher). Multi-viscosity oils (i.e. 10W-30, 5W-30 etc) break down more quickly in high summer temperatures, burn off and loose their ability to protect your engine.
- Use SAE 10W-30 for a varying temperature range of 0 to 100° F (-18 to 38° C), this grade of oil improves cold weather starting, but may increase oil consumption at 80° F(27° C) or higher. So keep an eye on your oil level if you are using this type of oil in your summer use machines.
- A synthetic oil SAE 5W-30 is the best for very cold temperatures of -20 to as high as 120° F (-30 to 40° C) providing the best protection at all temperatures as well as improved starting with less oil consumption
- Use SAE 5W-30 for very cold temperatures of 40° F and below (5° C and below)
Things to keep in mind when choosing lawn mower oil:
- Use a high quality detergent oil classified "For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ" or higher.
- Do not use special additives.
- Synthetic oils are an acceptable oil at all temperatures.
For basic information on how to check your oil level, please see the Brigg & Stratton video guide below:
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