If you’ve heard the term “well-oiled machine” before, know that it applies to your riding lawn
mower or zero turn mower.
Like any machine with an internal combustion engine, a mower needs motor oil. The lubricating and cooling action of oil prevents your engine from overheating, and keeps you from having to replace your mower because of a ruined engine.
Before you change the oil in your mower, be sure you know what oil type is right for the engine. Finding the right motor oil will depend on a variety of factors.
Types of Mower Engine Oil
What separates one motor oil from another? Grades, which are based on viscosity and how the oil behaves at different temperatures. Lawn mowers typically feature either a two-stroke engine or a four-stroke engine. The latter is much more common. Four-stroke engines burn gasoline and use motor oil in a separate system for lubrication. Two-stroke engines burn a mixture of gasoline and oil at the same time.
The grades are as follows:
- Single Grade Oil contains no additives.
- Multi-Grade Oil uses additives to provide better viscosity across a range of temperatures.
- Synthetic Blend Oil is a mixture of regular and synthetic oil blended with additives to boost performance in colder temperatures.
- Full Synthetic Oil is an artificial lubricant designed for use in high-performance and commercial engines.
Some two-stroke lawn mower engines could take motor oil designed for the engines in chainsaws, water pumps, and weed eaters. But you should also check for a service rating (i.e. SF, SG, SH, SJ, etc.). The higher, the better. Our service experts recommend finding the best fit oil for the best performance and protection of your engine.
Choosing the Best Oil for Your Lawn Mower
Determining the right motor oil for your lawn mower means finding the best oil for work in your climate. Different types of oil perform better at certain temperatures than others.
- SAE 30 is the most common type of oil for small engines. It is best suited for work under warmer temperatures. Most TriGreen customers in Tennessee & Alabama find this to be the best fit.
- SAE 10W-30 has a much wider temperature range than SAE 30 and can improve cold-weather starting. However, it may lead to a greater consumption of oil.
- SAE 5W-30 is your all-purpose motor oil. It provides protection at all temperatures without having to consume greater amounts of oil at starting.
- Synthetic SAW 5W-30 is for working under very cold temperatures.
- Vanguard 15W-50 is another type of oil with a wide temperature range and it is ideal for continuous uses such as commercial lawn cutting.
UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF jOHN DEERE ENGINE OIL
When you’re shopping online or at your local TriGreen Equipment, you may encounter the same type of oil – for example, SAE 10W-30, in both Turf-Gard and Plus-50 II. These engine oils have different price points and best-fit uses.
Turf-Gard is designed for:
- John Deere turf 4-cycle gasoline engines
- Fuel-efficient operation and rapid oil circulation in cold and hot weather
Plus-50 II is designed for:
- Modern low-emission diesel engines
- Heavy-duty off-road applications
How Often to Check and Change Lawn Mower Oil
If you have a mower with a four-stroke engine, you should be checking the oil level each and every time you take it out to mow. If it is a brand new mower, be sure to change the oil after the first three to five hours of use. There may be tiny metal filings in the oil from the internal movement of parts, so it is best to flush them out before they can cause excess wear. For regular use, change the oil in your walk-behind mower at least once a season or every 50 hours of use. The same holds true of riding mowers and zero turns, though for 100 hours of use, rather than 50. Consult the operator’s manual to find out how much oil is required.
