Small engine oil?

[dodge man]

Not another oil thread! I did a search and didn’t see it addressed. What do people do for small engine oil? It used to be straight 30 weight was called for but that seems outdated these days. I found some small engine 10w-30 Walmart branded oil and bought a couple of quarts. Is just regular synthetic 10w-30 ok, that seems like what I’ll probably start using.

Edit, the stuff I got at Walmart is straight 30 weight.

 

[mjonesnh]

Not another oil thread! I did a search and didn’t see it addressed. What do people do for small engine oil? It used to be straight 30 weight was called for but that seems outdated these days. I found some small engine 10w-30 Walmart branded oil and bought a couple of quarts. Is just regular synthetic 10w-30 ok, that seems like what I’ll probably start using.

All my air cooled engines spec either 30w or 10w-30 conventional or 5w-30 synthetic with the exception of my Honda Rancher that says 10w-40. With that said I went to 1 oil for all the air cooled engines. Rotella T6 5w-40 years ago. Never a problem with this oil and easier starting in cold weather. In fact, just purchased a new inverter generator 3 weeks ago and after break- in of 5 hours I changed it to the Rotella T6. If I was using a gasoline rated oil I would probably go with 5w-30 or 10-30 synthetic, likely Mobil 1.

 

[kevinj]

Mine all get the same 15w40 that goes in the tractors.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Mine specs 20w-50 synthetic for summer temps

 

[RandyT]

@dodge man Regular oil is fine and doesn't require synthetic. Lawnmower oil is formulated to operate at higher temps than regular auto oil, and also contains a higher zinc content due to the flat tappets.

 

[nyone]

I have a Toyota that specs 0w20 oil, so I put that in. Any diesel gets 15w40. My suburban would be expensive to replace so it gets the 5w30 it wants and so every other engine i own gets 5w30. Generally gas engines especially small ones will be totally fine with 5w30.

For me the $2 synthetic costs its not worth stocking conventional for a few small engines. I typically like to keep about 2+ yrs of oil changes on hand for every vehicle. I own 14 things that have a seat and you can drive.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I run Amsoil 10W-30/30 in all our small engine equipment.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-10w-30-100-synthetic-small-engine-oil-ase/

They have a 10W-40 as well

 

[dodge man]

I was running the Amsoil and got off that treadmill after I retired. Good oil but not worth the extra cost and the membership fees.

 

[gstrom99]

@dodge man Regular oil is fine and doesn't require synthetic. Lawnmower oil is formulated to operate at higher temps than regular auto oil, and also contains a higher zinc content due to the flat tappets.

Where do you find "lawnmower" oil? Straight 30w "reduces oil consumption" per my JD zero turn manual. I usually add zink also.