Commercial Lawn mower oil 10/30: IN A CAR!!!!!!!!!!

[OCB]

Got a question.

I am an oil nut. I love these forums and have learned alot. I treat my car with love and respect.

My brother in law does not.

Truck in question is a 2002 Chevy S-10. I'm not sure on the exact model but it has the off road package I believe. Big tires and wheels. It is an agressive looking truck.

This truck is abused.

Brother in law works for a landscaping company. Told me today he was going to change the oil so that peaked my interest. I asked him what he was going to use.

HE told me he was going to put the COMMERCIAL LAWN MOWER OIL that comes in a drum at his shop in there. Reads 10/30.

I did not like the sound of this at all. I told him I didn't like the sounds of it and he didn't care. He said it was free. I then asked him what kind of filter he was going to put on there. He said he wasn't going to change that. I then asked him if he ever changed the air filter he said no.

So I asked if I could take a look under the hood. Truck has about 45K on it. Sure enough I spotted what looked to be a valve cover leak. And then I checked the dip stick. Not a drop on it. Nothing

This kid will not listen to me. I told him he needed to get some oil in there fast and something would be better than nothing.

I guess my question is. What kind of protection is oil designed for commercial lawnmowers going to give a 2002 Chevy S-10? I guess it is better than nothing.

I tried to explain the importance of oil to this kid but he will not listen. Thanks!

 

[pscholte]

OCB,

There is only SO MUCH you can do. Too bad there isn't a PETAu (People for the Ethical Treatment of Automobiles) or a Humane Society for vehicles out there.

 

[OCB]

Just realized there is a lawn mower oil section. Maybe I should have posted this over there?

Sorry about that!

 

[Brett Miller]

Quite honestly that oil may be more robust than the average passenger car 10W-30. I'll bet if you look closely its diesel rated.

 

[OCB]

So it might do fine in a car?

 

[55Test]

Well, it's probably not up to current API specs, that lawnmower oil is probably rated SH or SG, but for an older engine it would be acceptable.

 

[Pablo]

Yeah - I'll just ask what the API letters are?

On the bright side, real abuserz don't change their oil until it solidifies.

 

[darkdan]

Sneak over to his house at night and change the oil filter and throw in a bottle of auto-rx just to be safe....never tell him.

It will be your good deed for the year.

 

[Shannow]

Most of the mower oil that I've seen is SF.

BTW, the guy who retrofitted a Rolls Merlin engine into a 1955 chev down-under runs mower oil in his engine...Apparently Caltex recommended it.

 

[pscholte]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shannow:
Most of the mower oil that I've seen is SF.

BTW, the guy who retrofitted a Rolls Merlin engine into a 1955 chev down-under runs mower oil in his engine...Apparently Caltex recommended it.

---

That only works if you mount the engine with pistons pointing downward...to compensate for the fact that the engine was manufactured north of the Equator but is being used south of same...its a little known fact...really...well, OK, I'm speculating here...

 

[OCB]

I might just do that.

quote:

---

Originally posted by darkdan:
Sneak over to his house at night and change the oil filter and throw in a bottle of auto-rx just to be safe....never tell him.

It will be your good deed for the year.

---

 

[jsharp]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pscholte:
OCB,

There is only SO MUCH you can do. Too bad there isn't a PETAu (People for the Ethical Treatment of Automobiles) or a Humane Society for vehicles out there.

---

This kind of problem tends to resolve itself. Given the lack of oil on the dipstick, maybe the owner will take the advice of OCB with his new engine...

 

[MikeR]

I'd consider using lawnmower oil in my truck for 3k drains, if it were free and I were on a landscaper's budget.

Ultimately, it's his truck... It sounds like he has common sense problems extending well past his attitudes toward oil change intervals.

Is your sister married to this guy, or is he your wife's brother?

mr

 

[OCB]

This is the wifes brother. Can't seem to get through to him. I saw him last night and he filled it with the lawn mower oil and it was a bit passed full. So at least there is oil in it now. I think this truck was in the 25K price range new when he bought it in 2002. The engine will die and he will be making payments. I can lead a horse to water........

 

[MikeR]

quote:

---

This is the wifes brother.

---

No worries then!

mr

 

[Chris142]

quote:

---

Originally posted by MikeR:
I'd consider using lawnmower oil in my truck for 3k drains, if it were free and I were on a landscaper's budget.


mr

---

I wouldn't. Not when $7 will buy me 5 qts of ST and a ST filter. Atleast I know that the ST meets the minumum standards.