quote:
Originally posted by 02supercrew:
For the price of of syn, you could drain your lawn tractor every time you mow with a Wallyworld HD 30W (prolly is what is reccomended) and have the cleanest lawnmower engine in town.
A common misconception, unfortunately. Let's take Wally's favorite Accel HD 30wt ("Meets API SA"!) at 79¢/qt, compared to the M1 5W-40 (on the shelf next to it) at $4.79/qt. OK, so the M1 is
six times more expensive than the Accel.
For our example, we'll presume:
1) the tractor needs only one qt of oil
2) that you cut the grass one time a week
3) you cut it for 6 months of the year (26 times per year).
Using Accel & changing the oil after every use, you'll need 26 qts of oil at a mere $20.54 (plus tax). You'll also need to spend the time changing your oil 26 times. And making 26 trips to the recycling center. But, as an "API SA" oil, it has no detergents, anti-wear agents, or any other nasty additives to get in the way of doing its primary job: lubricating.
Using M1 5W-40 & changing it once a year, you'll spend $4.79 (plus tax). You'll also need to find the time to change it once (maybe sometime during the six months you're not using the mower?), & make one trip to the recycling center. Unfortunately, as an API SL/CI-4 oil, it has a ton of ugly additives to reduce wear, eliminate deposits, & generally hinder the oil's ability to lubricate. But, since it's a syn, it could really go a full year & still protect better than fresh Accel 30 wt changed every week.
Now, which method offers the cheapest insurance for engine protection?
outrun,
Delivered to my door for free, I'd choose the Delvac 1 5W-40. For locating it & buying it on my own, I currently use M1 5W-40.