Was in a Lawn and Garden shop today and we were talking about oil. The mechanic told me not to use N or P rated oil in my Z turn. He says the high temp causes sludging and manufacturers will turn down warranty repairs because oof that. I have been using Kirkland 5-30 for the past year and it hasn't used any oil. I would say what's in there now is sn. Anybody hear this stuff?
SN or SP oil in air-cooled Mowers
- Thread starter loneryder
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$50 site donor 2025
What’s he pushing - SAE30 or ?
I don't think it matters that much 
The last gas engine mower I had was an old Briggs flathead, and I used a pint of Dollar Tree 10w30 (it was SN rated). I only changed the oil once and had no problems with it. I had a bigger improvement by swapping out the loser Champion spark plug for an NGK.
Kirkland 5w30 is just fine. Use the cheapest 5w30 or 10w30 on sale.
The last gas engine mower I had was an old Briggs flathead, and I used a pint of Dollar Tree 10w30 (it was SN rated). I only changed the oil once and had no problems with it. I had a bigger improvement by swapping out the loser Champion spark plug for an NGK.
Kirkland 5w30 is just fine. Use the cheapest 5w30 or 10w30 on sale.
Keep using what you're using I do question 5/30 in a air cooled engine I'm more a 10/30
Depends on your climate
No, he is a blowhard and doesnt have a clue what he is talking about.
Kirkland 5w30 is fine, just check the oil level regularly just in case it starts to burn some.
SP is the common API oil on the shelves these days. SP would be my choice, between the two, in a PCMO oil but I use HDMO API SN oil in my mowers.
Right, Or selling a very old API spec'd oil. I do wonder about the mechanics warranty denial claim (Don't use SN or SP). He must of seen or heard of that happening which might go to show the OEM's will deny warranty for anything.
Well, even Kohler says sj or higher API oil as of 2020.
I have said it numerous times. Keep small engines FULL and change it every now and then and you will never have an oil related issue. Have yet to see an actual solely oil related failure posted on this site.
I have said it numerous times. Keep small engines FULL and change it every now and then and you will never have an oil related issue. Have yet to see an actual solely oil related failure posted on this site.
Use what your owners manual says.
I only used it because it was what I had on hand. The manual says you can use 5-30 but warns it may use more oil. Mine hasn't.
He does a lot of warranty work and the manufacturers really fight engine warranty claims. He said Honda is one of the worst. A Toro rep was there and he said most people use 10-30 or 10-40. He didn't really seem to be knowledgeable with engine oils. It was like no big deal to him .SP is the common API oil on the shelves these days. SP would be my choice, between the two, in a PCMO oil but I use HDMO API SN oil in my mowers.
Right, Or selling a very old API spec'd oil. I do wonder about the mechanics warranty denial claim (Don't use SN or SP). He must of seen or heard of that happening which might go to show the OEM's will deny warranty for anything.
They get so hot I wouldn’t want a 10w30 unless it was an HDEO with a higher HTHS. I’m running PCMO but a 10w40.
I run M1 FS 15w50 when used only in the summer months on anything air-cooled - 4-stroke lawnmower and Triumph Thruxton (twin) motorcycle. Been working well for me and engines stay clean!
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