Originally Posted By: NH73
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Originally Posted By: scudpilot
My smaller Kawasaki engine uses 10w30 and my manual says the same as yours. It is a 6 hp engine and I have to say the highest quality engine that I have owned on any equipment. I would recommend any name brand synthetic 10w30 changed once a year. I have used Amsoil 10w30 in mine since new and it works great. I am not sure who makes plain SAE30 anymore, but have used Pennzoil in the past with good results.
I run 15w40 in my FX481V. Hasn't blown up yet.... They actually recommend thicker grades now. I have noticed my smaller FJ180v Kawasaki takes a while to get warmed up, and really doesn't run hot in the winter cause I get white milky condensation on the oil fill cap. I can barely get the big mower on the trailer without the valve cover being hot enough to burn my hand. I'm still on the fence on what to use in the FJ180v since I've used amsoil ASE for 1300hrs and it still burns a minimal amount. Taking the valve cover off, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and a brand new engine. Doesn't even have that golden tint to it that some engines get.
I would agree with you. Since, now Kawasaki has recommendations up to 20w50, we now know there is nothing wrong with running 15w40. And it would be safe to say that you could do the same in any small gas engine. I have said the same thing when Briggs and Stratton came out and said that 5w30 synthetic can be used at all temperature.
I've always wondered why they use the same oils in small engines as they do cars when a small engine can have oil temps up to 280 and that be considered normal, whereas a cars oil sump doesn't get much hotter than the coolant temp when is usually 180-190, so 205 might be the hottest for the oil?