Which lawn mower oil is best?
Before purchasing two-stroke oil for your lawnmower, or other lawn care equipment, it is important that you take several factors into consideration. Understanding what oil is best for your equipment is a great way to ensure that you get the most out of your equipment in terms of performance and lifespan.
Additionally, you should understand the difference between synthetic oil and conventional oil, as well as how often you should change your oil.
Motor Oil
Many people use regular automotive motor oil in their lawn care equipment; however, there are better options available.
Contrary to popular belief, there are significant differences between regular motor oil and small engine oil. Small engine oil provides additives and protection meant for the operating conditions that your equipment will be placed under. Lawn care equipment will sit for several days or weeks without being used, then used in dusty dirty environments and put back into storage. A high-quality small engine oil with good film strength and the ability to cling to dirt is needed to keep your lawn care equipment running for years. There is a wide range of Amsoil products to choose from for small engines no matter which viscosity you require.
In order to be sure of what type of oil is safe to use in your lawn mower, you should always refer to the owner’s manual. Your manual should specify what type of oil you need, and which viscosity you should use.
Four-Stroke Engine Oil
Four-stroke engines are more common in larger mowers, such as riding mowers. If your mower has a four-stroke engine, chances are that motor oil will be perfectly fine to use. Four-stroke engines in mowers are very similar to ones found in larger vehicles. They work by pumping oil through a sump repeatedly before returning to the sump.
Even if your mower does have a four-stroke engine, you should still check your manual before just purchasing any motor oil. Just like a car, your mower may still have special requirements for which types of motor oil it can use. It might specify certain viscosities and additives that you should use. Amsoil offers a selection of oils meeting SAE-30 standards which are a safe bet to use in lawn care equipment.
Two-Stroke Engine Oil
Two-stroke engines are more likely to be found in smaller lawn care equipment such as weed whackers and chain saws.
Unlike four-stroke engines, two-stroke engines do not have a separate lubrication system. Instead, the oil is mixed with the fuel and lubricates the engine as it passes through. The oil is then burnt off along with the fuel. Since the oil and fuel are mixed together, you will have to mix the oil and fuel together in a specific ratio. This ratio can be found in your owner’s manual. It will generally be 32:1 or 50:1.
Amsoil understands the benefits of using high quality oil in two-stroke engines. Saber two-stroke oil is a great choice for your two-stroke lawn care equipment as it is formulated to be used at a 100:1 ratio. As a result, Saber two-stroke oil produces less smoke, and contributes less to pollution.
When to Change Your Oil
Knowing when to change your engine’s oil is as important as using the correct oil for your device. Neglecting, or not knowing when to change your engine’s oil can lead to unfortunate side effects. Fortunately, learning how and when to change your oil is fairly simple.
If your mower is brand new, it will likely need to be changed after the first few hours of use. After that, small engine mowers will need to have their oil changed approximately every 25 hours of use. Meanwhile, larger engines may be able to last for up to 50 hours before needing an oil change. Refer to your owner’s manual for a more specific time frame.
Furthermore, factors such as mowing wet/muddy grass, allowing your mower to collect dirt and dust, and mowing on rough terrain can significantly increase the frequency of your oil changes. If you find yourself using your equipment under these conditions, you should check your oil after you are finished.
To be safe, you should check your oil before each use. Your mower should come with a dipstick to check your oil with. If not, you can use a clean cloth to check your oil. Additionally, if your mower has not been used for a significant period of time, you should change your oil even if you think it might not be necessary.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil is generally superior to conventional oil for any engine. It is much more refined than conventional oil, and provides much better performance results.
Synthetic oil differs from conventional oil due to its refining process. The base stock of synthetic oil is put through a rigorous chemical refining process to remove any impurities found in the oil, and to create a more consistent final product. The refining process of conventional oil is much less intensive, and often leaves imperfections which can lead to engine wear.
Amsoil synthetic oil for small engine vehicles will offer much better protection than conventional motor oils.
Oil Recommendations for Small Engine Mowers
Depending on which temperatures you operate in, you may have different requirements for your engine oil.
For most mowers and weather conditions, your best bet is going to be SAE 30/SAE 10W-30 oil. These oils are ideal for operation in warmer environments. Even if you live in a colder area, chances are you aren’t going to be operating your lawn care equipment until it’s warm again. However, if you feel it necessary to use an oil which is optimal for colder temperatures, you should consider using a 5W-30 small engine oil. This will allow your engine to stay lubricated in colder weather.
If you have any additional questions regarding which type of oil to use for your lawn care equipment, or are interested in purchasing any Amsoil products, feel free to visit BuyGreatOil for more information.
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