There are so many different types of oils available these days that it can be pretty confusing to choose the right one for your mower. Adding to this problem is the fact that more and more lawn mower designs are available with what seems like an endless selection of engines. So, does it really matter what oil you put in your lawn mower? For example, can you use the same oil in your push mower that your neighbor uses in his riding mower? Well, maybe not. Let’s take a look at the oils available and see which one you should be picking for your lawn mower.
Does the Oil Type You Put in Your Mower Matter?
The short answer is yes. Manufacturers carry out rigorous testing to make sure that they produce efficient, affordable, and robust engines that can withstand the environment they are intended for. A key part of this development process is achieving a high standard of engine lubrication. This means specific oils must be used with specific engines.
Introducing the Different Lawn Mower Oil Types
There are many different oils available in order to meet the requirements of all the varying lawn mower engines. These engine oils have distinct properties so that they can achieve high standards of lubrication from the moment the engine is started all the way up to operating temperature. Let’s take a look at the different oil types.
2-Stroke vs 4-Stroke Oil
Comparing 2 stroke vs 4 stroke mowers is common when discussing oil, as they each have their own oil type. These two different oils are used in two completely different ways. The 2-stroke oil is mixed with fuel and burned off during combustion. Meanwhile, 4-stroke oil is held in the lawn mower’s sump and repeatedly used during the operation of the lawn mower.
4-stroke oil has to be topped off and changed, whereas 2-stroke oil doesn’t. So, if you are looking for lawn mower oil to put in the oil filler cap, then you need a 4-stroke lawn mower oil. And if you’re wondering if you can use 2 stroke oil in a 4 stroke engine, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Single Grade Oil
Single-grade oils, such as SEA 30, consist of a single oil that has a single viscosity rating of 30 when heated to 100 degrees Celsius. This type of oil is primarily used for small engines that use an initial lubricating process caused by the movement of the engine. It would resemble the engine splashing all the parts at once in a single cycle of the piston. Single-grade oil is classified as a conventional oil.
Multi-Grade Oil
Multi-grade oil is a combination of 2 oils with two different viscosity ratings. The lower number, such as 5w, is a much thinner oil that can travel much quicker through an engine when cold compared to a SEA 30. Engines that have a more complex lubricating process need the lower viscosity oil to be able to move the oil to the required areas during start-up. A multi-grade oil is also classified as conventional oil.
Synthetic Oil
A lot of people ask the following question: can you use synthetic oil in a lawn mower? Yes, you can (maybe you’re surprised to hear that?!). These types of oil have undergone a chemically engineered process that removes impurities and increases the uniformity of the oil molecules. The end result is a much higher grade of oil.
Single-grade oil and multi-grade oil both come in synthetic versions with the inclusion of oil additives such as corrosion and rust inhibitors, detergents, and antifoams. Manufacturers state that synthetic oil has improved cold and hot performance.
Synthetic Blend Oil
Blended oils are a combination of both synthetic oil and conventional oil. They are a middle point between the two oils. They still include some of the benefits of fully synthetic oil, but they lack the improved high temp performance.
Factors that Will Influence Which Oil Type You Should Choose
There are several factors that will influence your decision when choosing oil for a push mower or oil for a riding mower. Going for the first bottle of oil on the shelf definitely isn’t a good way to pick an oil. So, let’s take a look at all the things you should consider when picking what oil to use in your lawn mower.
Manufacturer’s Recommendation
The main factor that will determine what oil to use in your lawn mower is what the manufacturer recommends. These are the guys that have designed and tested what works best. So, if they state a particular oil, pick that one.
Engine Design
Engines on push mowers are very different from those on a zero-turn lawn mower. A single horizontal cylinder is more than happy to use a single-grade oil. On the other hand, a twin-cylinder engine with the incorporation of oil capillaries and the like isn’t going to be happy with a single-grade oil. So, pick an oil that is designed to work with your type of engine.
Engine Age
As an engine gets older, it can become a bit baggy. The gaps in parts will increase over time, making the original specified oil too thin. So stepping up the viscosity, say from a 30 to a 40, can help if your lawn mower has had a busy life.
How Different Oils Compare
If you are like me, then you probably already have oil at home, which is used for something else and isn’t for your lawn mower. You might want to know if you can use car oil in your lawn mower or the oil for the snow blower. Well, your oil will be labeled with an SAE viscosity rating that could be suitable. Here’s a quick look at how some oils compare to traditional SAE 30 lawn mower oil.
SAE 30 vs 5w30
5w30 oil is basically the same as SAE30. The difference is that it has an included 5w oil which helps with cold starting. If your lawn mower calls for a SAE30, then a 5w30 is totally fine. Well, it may be overkill, but it’s fine. It’s definitely helped me out a few times with a mower that’s hard to start when it’s cold though.
SAE 30 vs 10w30
10w30 oil is also very similar to SAE30. The difference this time is that 10w is slightly thicker than the previous 5w. So, it’s fine to use in your lawn mower, but you will be paying more money than SAE30 because it’s a multi-grade oil.
SAE 30 vs 10w40
10w40 oil is a whole different oil. The number here, which is concerning, is 40. A lawn mower that requires a SAE30 definitely isn’t up to using the much thicker 40 rating. Once this oil gets to the operating temperature, it’s unable to reach all the places it needs to. The tiny spaces between parts, like the crankshaft bearings, are much too small for a 10w40 oil. It’s best to leave this oil for the engine it was designed for.
SAE 30 vs 15w40
15w40 oil, you guessed it, is a no-go. Again, this oil is much too thick when it gets to the operating temperature. This type of oil is better used only in the family truck.
Lawn Mower Oil Type Cheatsheet
Here are some examples of different lawn mower oil types used for various lawn mowers. This should point you in the right direction and help you pick which oil is right for your lawn mower.
| Brand | Mower Type | Model | Oil Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toro | Push Mower | Recycler | SAE 30 or SAE 10W-30 |
| Toro | Push Mower | Time Master | SAE 30 or SAE 10W-30 |
| Honda | Push Mower | HRX | SAE 10W-30 |
| Honda | Push Mower | HRC | SAE 10W-30 |
| Troy Bilt | Push Mower | TB120 | SAE 30 |
| Troy Bilt | Push Mower | TB125 | SAE 30 |
| John Deere | Zero Turn | Z Series | SAE 10W-30 |
| John Deere | Tractor | X Series | SAE 10W-30 |
| Husqvarna | Zero Turn | Z Series | SAE 30 or SAE 5W-30 |
| Husqvarna | Tractor | TS Series | SAE 30 or SAE 5W-30 |
As you can see from the table above, the highest viscosity rating is SAE 30 regardless of what brand or lawn mower type. So, I’d be pretty confident that you can use an SAE 30 in either single or multi-grade oil. But, I would still recommend checking in the lawn mower’s owner manual.
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