"Mower" 4 Stroke oil in a car?

[Ang]

Is there any real reason why I couldn't put 10W-30 4 Stroke "Lawnmower" Oil in a car I didn't care about if I got it for cheap and wanted to use it? Sure it's not API-SP but the engine isn't going to blow up, just more wear over a long time?

 

[dishdude]

What is this cheap beater?

 

[Lawnman23]

Is this a hypothetical or are you seriously considering this?

 

[TomYoung]

What brand of oil?

 

[Elkins45]

IIRC a lot of the small engine oils are loaded with zinc, so it might not be great for your catalytic converter.

 

[Ang]

What brand of oil?

Craftsman

 

[Ang]

IIRC a lot of the small engine oils are loaded with zinc, so it might not be great for your catalytic converter.

Yes they are

 

[Lubener]

For a beater, I wouldn't hesitate using it. Many beaters never get an oil change and they survive.

 

[Lubener]

IIRC a lot of the small engine oils are loaded with zinc, so it might not be great for your catalytic converter.

Only if the engine is an oil burner.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I just use left over automotive oil in my mower. Its lasted only over twenty years tell me what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Ang]

I just use left over automotive oil in my mower. Its lasted only over twenty years tell me what I'm doing wrong.

I mean that's the complete opposite scenario. Of course that's okay.

 

[Slick3914]

Run it till it blows!

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Isn't lawn mower oil just more expensive car oil? In a smaller bottle for "convenience"

 

[Pablo]

IIRC a lot of the small engine oils are loaded with zinc, so it might not be great for your catalytic converter.

Loaded and small engine oil is a bit of a myth

 

[kschachn]

A few previous threads which may help with this question. There are a bunch of existing threads on the reverse that you mention above.

C

Thread 'Can i use lawn mower oil in car engine?'

Jan 30, 2023

Hi, sorry if this is a dumb question,
but is it safe and ok to use four stroke lawn mower or garden oil in car engine?
My engine calls for at least API SG oil,
and Mobil and Castrol has Lawn mower/Garden oil that has API SG and SJ/SL specs, and in my town those oils are half the price of regular motor oils.
My other option would be Liqui Moly 10w30 touring high tech, but it has the SF spec, and i'd need the SG spec at least?

Its getting quite hard to find mineral oils these days that are 5w30 or 10w30, but the Mobil 4 stroke lawn mower oil is as far as i can tell, mineral based, and...

• Carguy80
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

R

Thread 'Vehicle motor oil vs. lawnmower oil'

May 6, 2005

What is the closest type of vehicle motor oil that I can use in my lawnmower if the mower calls for SAE 30 for temps above 32(F) and 5W30 for temps below 32(F). Obviously, I'm going to be using the mower in temps above 32. Vehicle motor oil is always on sale, plus I have a small stash.

• rocketman
• Replies: 57
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

D

Thread 'Difference between automotive engine oil and Small Engine Oil?'

May 25, 2005

Is there any difference between 5W30 standard automotive engine oils and 5W30 4-cycle small engine oils?

• Darth Xed
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Lawn Mower and Small Engine

 

[JavierH19]

I've been seeing 30 grade small engine oil say SP on it so maybe it's not loaded up like how it used to be. I remember the tbn and additives being very high on them but those are likely gone or dying out. Fwiw it doesn't matter much.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

API SP - 20 oz for $3.74 - 3.3
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...2?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1200&from=/search

It's conventional and the only other in-house quart they have is a blend so not really apples to apples.

 

[oil pan 4]

I put Castrol GTX classic car 20w-50 oil in my wife's car as top off oil. It's a 2018 Hyundai. Some 10w-30 lawnmower oil won't hurt it.