How to determine the type of oil for a lawn mower or small engine
We recommend using certified Briggs Stratton oils for best engine performance. Other high quality detergent oils can be used if they are SF, SG, SH, SJ or higher. DO NOT use special additives.
The ambient temperature determines the appropriate viscosity of the engine oil. Use the table to select the best viscosity for your intended ambient temperature range. 5W30 synthetic oil is well suited for most engines in outdoor power equipment. Vanguard 15W50 synthetic oil provides the most effective protection for equipment operating at high temperatures.
Using SAE 30 oil at temperatures below 40 ° F (4 ° C) will result in difficult engine starting.
Using 10W30 above 80 ° F (27 ° C) may result in higher oil consumption. Check the oil level often.
The Society of Automotive Engineers has developed a classification for engine oils that indicates the viscosity (density) and temperature at which an engine oil can be used. It is called SAE, it is printed on every bottle of oil and also indicates whether the oil is synthetic.
Above is a graph showing the SAE oil type and the temperature at which it works best. The easiest way to find the best oil for your lawnmower is to combine the information from your product operator’s manual with the oil type descriptions below.
How much how much engine oil does my engine need?
Before you can change the oil in a Briggs Stratton lawn mower small engine, it is important to understand what type and how much oil is required. Below we provide an answer to this frequently asked question and explain the two most important steps for determining the type and amount of oil for a lawn mower engine.
Small engine oil recommendations:
- Use SAE 30 at 40 ° F and above (5 ° C and above).
- Use SAE 10W-30 in a 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.
- SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil is optimal for very low temperatures from 20 to 120 ° F (30 to 40 ° C). It provides the best protection at all temperatures and also improves starting with less oil consumption.
- Use SAE 5W-30 at very low temperatures of 40 ° F and below (5 ° C and below).
- For continuous use, commercial lawn mowing or pressure washing, use Vanguard 15W-50 oil (20 ° F to 130 ° F).
Things to consider when choosing a lawn mower:
- Use a quality detergent oil classified “For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ” or better.
- DO NOT use special additives.
- Synthetic oils are suitable for all temperatures. The use of synthetic oils does not change the required oil drain intervals.
Can synthetic lawn mower oil be used? Yes!
We recently changed our recommendation for engine oil: you can now use 5W30 or 10W30 synthetic oil regardless of temperature. We recommend using Briggs Stratton synthetic oil. Use of this high quality detergent oil ensures that Briggs Stratton will meet warranty requirements when using the correct oil.
The engine break-in procedure with the introduction of synthetic oil remains unchanged. Keep in mind that the use of synthetic oil does not prevent you from performing regular maintenance on the mower (i.E. Checking the oil, changing it, etc.).
Engine oil quantity
The amount of engine oil, as well as its type, depends on the specific engine model. In order to find out how to check lawn mowers, watch our “Checking engine oil in a lawn mower engine”
Besides basic oil type volume, your Briggs Stratton dealer is your best source of information for any engine problem.
Gasoline for a lawn mower: which one to choose and NOT prog?
New to buy an internal combustion lawnmower? Don’t know which fuel to pick? In this article, we will consider the brands of gasoline sold on the Russian market. You will learn which choice to make, whether it is possible to save on octane number, how to extend the tool life.
Which gasoline is best for a small engine or lawn mower?
The fuel for your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment must meet the following requirements:
- Clean, fresh, unleaded
- The minimum octane rating is 87/87 AKI (91 RON = Research Octane). When working at high altitude, see the instructions below.
- Gasoline is allowed with m up to 10% ethanol (Benzalcohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). At present, some filling stations sell gasoline with up to 15% ethanol. This E15 product is not recommended for use in small engines.
- You can also use bottled fuels such as Briggs Stratton Advanced Formula Ethanol-Free Fuel. This fuel combines unleaded gasoline with fuel stabilizer to extend fuel life.
Note. VIEW BEFORE DOWNLOADING! DO NOT use an unapproved type of fuel (such as E85 ethyl gasoline) and DO NOT modify your Briggs Stratton engine to run on alternative fuels. Doing so could cause damage to small engines and void your Briggs Stratton warranty.
But not all fuels are created equal. If you are having problems starting or operating your lawn mower or equipment, try using a second source or other brand of fuel.
High Altitude Fuel Recommendations
When operating above 5000 feet (1524 meters) above sea level, gasoline with an octane rating of at least 85/85 AKI (89 RON) is permitted. To ensure compliance with emission requirements, adjustments must be made to high altitude equipment. Operation without this adjustment will result in degraded performance, increased fuel consumption and increased emissions.
Operating an engine adjusted for high altitude below 2500 feet (762 meters) is not recommended.
Mixing Oil Fuel in Small Engines
- 4-stroke spark ignition engines: Do not mix oil with gasoline or modify the engine to run on alternative fuels. This will damage engine parts and void the engine warranty.
- 2-stroke spark ignition engines Always Mix a high quality 2-stroke oil, such as Briggs Stratton lawn mower oil, in a petrol / oil ratio of 50: 1.
Don’t know what type of engine you have? See Your Briggs Stratton Engine Manual or Contact Your Local Service Dealer.
Gasoline for trimmer
Gasoline trimmers are ideal for site maintenance due to their portability. These models of lawn mowers require periodic fuel changes. The choice of gasoline must be approached competently. It is not worth saving much on the purchase.
Choosing a brand of gasoline for trimmers
Select the brand of gasoline for lawn mowers, taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you do not follow them, then the motor will soon break down. Often RON 92 or RON 95 unleaded fuel is used to fill the trimmer tank.
Gasoline for fuel mixture
Filling the trimmer with AI-80 gasoline can lead to device breakdowns due to its low technical characteristics. Please note that after purchase, fuel can be stored NOT for more than 60 days, but it is better to reduce this period.
Polyethylene cans are not used for storage, because if they come into contact with the inner walls, static electricity will be generated. An accidental spark will cause an explosion. Although, there are special plastic canisters marked “flame”.
Tips for storing fuel in a small engine
Gasoline stagnates if you store your lawn mower or power equipment for more than 30 days. Stagnant fuel can cause engine damage due to acid and tar deposits in the fuel system or carburetor. Damage to the carburetor or engine from poor fuel will void the engine warranty. Keep the gasoline in your lawnmower fresh with Briggs Stratton Fuel Stabilizer specifically designed for small engines.
When handling fuel, you don’t need to pump expensive gasoline from your small engine to safely store your equipment. For proper storage, simply follow these steps:
- Step 1: Add Fuel Treatment Additive Per Instructions
- Step 2: Start the engine and let it run for 2 minutes to allow the stabilizer to pass through the fuel system
- Step 3: Store the mower or equipment in a clean, dry place for up to 24 months
If stabilizer has not been added to the fuel, the fuel must be drained into a suitable container. Start the engine and wait until it stops due to full use of fuel.
It is also recommended to add stabilizer to the fuel storage container in order to maintain quality characteristics. It is also recommended that you purchase fuel in an amount that you can use within 30 days. This will provide the necessary freshness and volatility of the fuel at the beginning of the season.
Contact your local Briggs Stratton Specialist for more information on fuel type!
What type of fuel is best for lawn mowers and small engines?
Looking for the best gasoline or fuel for your external power equipment? Briggs Stratton experts share tips for choosing the right fuel type and storing your small engine to keep it running at its best.
CAUTION! Fuel and fuel vapors are highly flammable and explosive. Always handle fuel with extreme care. Find all engine hazard warnings
The choice of gasoline depending on the type of engine
When buying, check with the seller which motor the tool is equipped with. Requirements for petroleum products for two-stroke and four-stroke engines differ.
The four-stroke lawnmower does not require pretreatment of fuel. The design provides two tanks for gasoline and oil. Use a petroleum product Recommended by the manufacturer to extend the life of the tool.
Fill two-stroke engines with a mixture of engine oil. The proportion of the composition is indicated on the gas cap. To understand how much oil you need to add, see the table.
| mineral | 1:32. 1:35 |
| synthetic | 1:50 |
An example of calculation with the introduction of a synthetic product:
- Tank volume. 1 l;
- Amount (1000 ml) divided by 50 (see the proportion in the table)
- Total value. 20.
This means that 20 ml of synthetic oil is needed per liter. If it is not possible to measure the required volume, prepare a larger amount of the mixture. For example, half a faceted glass of synthetic oil is enough for a 5 liter canister. Surplus can be stored in the Canister all season long, the quality will NOT deteriorate.
How to refuel the trimmer
A ready-made mixture of gasoline and oil can be stored NOT more than 3 months (pure gasoline is stored less). Dilute the amount of fuel that is sufficient for several trimmer uses. In general Prepare:
- Gasoline and oil that is suitable for two-stroke air-cooled engines;
- Metal canister and mixing container;
- Respirator;
- Gloves.
Adding oil to gasoline
Dilution instructions:
- Pour 1 liter of gasoline into a container of suitable volume and add 1/2 of the required amount of oil.
- Mix carefully, being at a decent distance from sources of open fire.
- Add the remaining half of the oil to the fuel and stir again.
Trimmer refueling process
General tips for refueling a trimmer with a 2- or 4-stroke engine:
- Place the fuel tank so that the lid is on top, then fill in the required amount of fuel.
- DO NOT overfill the fuel tank. This will lead to one of the problems: overflow in the intake manifold and fuel filter, fuel ignition or engine breakdown.
- Try to pour the mixture so that it does not spill. To do this, you can use LEIKOME.
- If you do spill fuel, wipe it up immediately. Dispose of the cleaning material, do not accumulate in the room. it is fire hazard.
- The start-up of the device should be started after the fuel canister has been removed at a distance of more than 10 m.
- If there was a long break between the operation of the mower, then the remaining old fuel must be drained.
Why do you need lubricant?
Gasoline engines of lawn mowers are internal combustion engines (ICE), in which the DRIVING force transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the working bodies (cutting knives) is generated by the energy generated in the combustion chamber of the cylinder when the fuel mixture ignites. As a result of the ignition, the gases expand, forcing the piston to move, which is associated with the mechanism for further transfer of energy to the final organ, that is, in this case, to the lawn mower knives.
In the engine, therefore, many large and small parts are mated, which need lubrication in order to, if not completely prevent their abrasion, destruction, wear, then at least as much as possible slow down these processes, negative for the mechanism.
But over time, this cannot be avoided, since the development of gaps in the mates still occurs. And the better the oil, the longer the service life of the garden equipment will be. In addition, with the help of high-quality lubricants, the following positive phenomena occur:
- Better cooling of the engine and its parts, which prevents overheating and thermal shock;
- Engine operation is guaranteed at high loads and with a long time period continuously Grass mowing;
- The safety of internal engine parts from corrosion is ensured during seasonal equipment downtime.
Selection recommendations
It is best to use a specially designed oil for the 4-stroke engines of lawn mowers, in accordance with the ambient temperatures in which the equipment will be used. For example, specialized grease grades 10W40 and SAE30 are quite suitable for four-stroke mowers in terms of their operational parameters, which can be used at ambient temperatures in the range from 5 to 45 degrees Celsius.
In the absence of specialized oils, you can use other classes of oils used for cars. These can be grades SAE 15W40 and SAE 20W50, which are also used at positive temperatures, but only their threshold is 10 degrees lower than specialized ones (up to 35 degrees). And also for 90% of the available models of four-stroke lawn mowers, an oil of SF composition will do.
The container with engine oil for a four-stroke lawn mower must be marked with the “4T” sign. Synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oils can be used. But most often they use semi-synthetic or mineral oil, since synthetic oil is very expensive.
And in order not to guess what oil to fill in the engine of your mower model, it is better to look at the instructions. The required type of oil and the frequency of its replacement are indicated there. It is recommended to use only the types of oils specified by the manufacturer before the expiration of the warranty repair period in order to maintain the issued guarantees. And then you can choose something more affordable, but, of course, not inferior in quality to branded oils. You should not save on oil quality.
4-Stroke Lawnmower Oils
Lawn mowers have long taken their place among the necessary equipment in the owners of country and private houses, as well as employees of park facilities. In the summer, this technique is used quite intensively. For reliable and durable operation of lawn mower engines, the quality of fuels and lubricants, in particular, oils, is of great importance. In oils for 4-stroke engines of this type of gardening machines, it is described in this article.
Features of the four-stroke engine
Lawn mower gasoline engines are divided into two groups: two-stroke and four-stroke. Their difference in the way of filling the oil is as follows:
- A lubricant for two-stroke engines must be pre-mixed with gasoline in a separate container and in a certain ratio, thoroughly mixed, and after all this, it must be poured into the fuel tank of the car;
- Grease and gasoline for four-stroke are NOT pre-mixed. these fluids are poured into separate tanks and work separately, each according to its own system.
Based on this circumstance, the requirement for oil is also special here. It should retain its properties for a long period, when, as for the lubricating composition of a two-stroke motor, the main quality criterion, in addition to the basic properties, is the ability to burn without a trace, Do not leave carbon deposits and deposits.
How often do you need to change the lubricant?
As noted above, the operating instructions for garden equipment with a 4-stroke engine must indicate the frequency of oil changes. But if there are instructions, then they are guided first of all by the number of hours that the technique has worked (engine hours). Every 50-60 worked hours, you need to change the oil in the engine.
However, in the case when the site is small and you can process it in no more than one hour, it is unlikely that for the entire spring-summer season the lawn mower will work even half the operating hours of the norm, unless you rent it out to neighbors. Then the oil must be replaced when the equipment is preserved in the fall before the winter period.
Oil change
Changing the lubricant in a lawn mower engine is not as difficult as changing the oil in a car. Everything is much simpler here. The work algorithm is as follows.
- Prepare enough fresh oil for replacement. Usually, the lubrication system of many lawn mowers is filled with NOT more than 0.6 liters of oil.
- Start the unit and let it idle for a few minutes to warm up the oil, so that it becomes more liquid. This promotes better drainage.
- Switch off the engine and place an empty container under the drain hole from the crankcase to collect the used oil.
- Unscrew the drain plug and let all the oil drain. It is recommended to tilt the device (if possible or appropriate) towards the drain.
- Tighten the plug and move the car to a level surface.
- Open the filling hole on the Shrovetide tank and fill it to the required level, which is controlled by a dipstick.
- Tighten the tank cap.
What oil should not be poured?
Do not fill the four-stroke engine of the lawn mower with grease intended for two-stroke analogs (on the labels of oil containers for such engines, the marking “2T” is put). However, you cannot do this and vice versa. In addition, it is unacceptable to fill in the liquid that was stored in plastic bottles from drinking water.