What Oil Should You Use for Your Lawnmower

Proper maintenance of your lawnmower will improve its performance and help to extend its overall life. One of the most important aspects of lawnmower care is to ensure that you always have the right amount of oil in your lawnmower. It’s equally important to make sure you use the type of oil that is ideal for your specific lawnmower.

Here’s a few tips to help make sure that you have the right type and amount of oil in your lawnmower at all time.

How to Check the Oil in Your Lawnmower

You should check the oil level in your lawnmower on a regular basis. This is done similarly to how you would check the oil level in your vehicle. Simply remove the dipstick from the lawnmower and wipe it off with a clean rag. Then, fully insert the dipstick back into place. For best results, you should twist the dipstick back into place before pulling it back out to check. Oil residue on the dipstick should be somewhere between the full and add marks. If it is lower than the add mark then it’s time to put more oil in your mower.

When to Change the Oil in Your Lawnmower

Most experts agree that you should change the oil in your lawnmower every 50 hours of use for a walk-behind model and every 100 hours of use for a riding mower, or annually, whichever comes first. Regular oil changes can help to enhance the overall performance of your mower.

What Type of Oil to Use in Your Lawnmower

The type of oil you should use for your lawnmower depends on several factors, including the type of mower you own, the engine in the mower and the outdoor temperature in the area where you will be mowing.

• Type of Mower – Lawnmower manufacturers typically recommend a specific type of oil to be used in the mowers. Take a minute to read the lawnmower owner’s manual to determine which type of oil the manufacturer recommends for your specific mower. Most manufacturers also provide this information online.
• Mower’s Engine – It is vital that you know what type of engine is in your lawnmower. You cannot use standard motor oil in two-cycle engines. These types of engines require a specialized lightweight oil, such as oils with APR performance ratings of SF, SH, SG or SJ. Four-cycle engines, on the other, do use standard motor oil because the engine stores the gasoline and oil separately. The specific type of motor oil you should use with four-cycle engine depends on the outdoor temperature in the area where you will be mowing.
• Outdoor Temperature – In warmer temperatures, SAE 30 is your best option. In colder areas, you should stick with SAE 5W-30 motor oil. If you live in an area where the temperature fluctuates between 0° and 100° then you should use an SAE 10W-30 motor oil.

Benefits of Using Fuel Stabilizer Treatment

If you are looking for a way to extend the life of your lawnmowers oil to a full 24 months and avoid the need to drain the oil before storing during the winter months, try using a high-quality fuel stabilizer treatment, such as STA-BIL. This fuel stabilizer treatment works well with all types of gasoline engines at preventing varnish and gum buildup in your mower. Best of all, when your mower’s oil is enhance with STA-BIL, you can be rest assured that your lawnmower will start up quick and easy every time.

Keep your lawnmower working at peak performance by making sure you always have the right amount and type of oil in the mower. You can improve your mower’s performance even more, and reduce the amount of maintenance it requires by adding a dynamic fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL to your gas.