SN or SP oil in air-cooled Mowers

Kirkland 5w30 is fine, just check the oil level regularly just in case it starts to burn some.
It's what I use in most of my engines, synth. flavor. I've gone to 10-40w in my 17 hp BS though as it burns it more than I like in the hot weather.
I've worked with a lot of ''mower techs'' in the past. Most of them had to remember lefty loosey.
 
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 Citgard 700 HDEO 10w30 but I also have an oil cooler...


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It's what I use in most of my engines, synth. flavor. I've gone to 10-40w in my 17 hp BS though as it burns it more than I like in the hot weather.
I've worked with a lot of ''mower techs'' in the past. Most of them had to remember lefty loosey.
Left loosey is the easy one. Remembering of it's whitey tighty or righty tighty is the hard one.
 
Briggs and Stratton have released their 2025 recommendations for oil, covering both small lawn mowers and riding mowers with the same recommendations.

For situations where the ambient temps to up to 100 F, you can use 30 weight, 10W30 ( with the caveat that oil consumption could increase at temps above 80 F), and synthetic 5w30 ( with no caveat about temperature).

For ambient temps above 100 F there is only one recommendation and that is Vanguard 15w50. It is also the recommendation for continuous use
such as commercial lawn cutting and pressure washing equipment.

They recommend API service SG,SH,SJ or OR HIGHER.

I took this from their 2025 copy-written document and decided to describe it because there are too many inaccurate recommendations floating out there. This is for Briggs and Stratton equipment. Also, if someone is actually out there cutting their grass when the ambient temperature above 100 F, have fun. :rolleyes:
 
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I have used HDEO also, but recently an interesting video was posted that HDEO may offer less protection in a gasoline engine. Can’t remember where it was on here but I think it was one of Lake Speeds videos. I know, instantly controversial. 😛
 
The Briggs oil and the bottle of oil packaged with new mowers are rated SJ, which is the last spec with a hefty dose of ZDDP. I suppose the extra additives are advantageous to the lifespan of the engines that will be run to failure before the first oil change (people in industrial maintenance will get that joke).
I've used 15W40 in everything for years. I think it cuts down some of the clatter from small engines and it still thin enough to permit pull starting down to the mid 30's temperatures.
 
I have used HDEO also, but recently an interesting video was posted that HDEO may offer less protection in a gasoline engine. Can’t remember where it was on here but I think it was one of Lake Speeds videos. I know, instantly controversial. 😛
I use a dual rated HDEO api spec sn .
 
I use the cheapest name brand15w40.. lately delvac 1300 15w40
although the deere 316 at my house has been getting motul racing 5w40 and 10w40 out of the 2 liter metal cans since I have nothing to use it in.
The engine was rebuilt in 1997 so its not 40 years old :)
 
Briggs and Stratton have released their 2025 recommendations for oil, covering both small lawn mowers and riding mowers with the same recommendations.

For situations where the ambient temps to up to 100 F, you can use 30 weight, 10W30 ( with the caveat that oil consumption could increase at temps above 80 F), and synthetic 5w30 ( with no caveat about temperature).

For ambient temps above 100 F there is only one recommendation and that is Vanguard 15w50. It is also the recommendation for continuous use
such as commercial lawn cutting and pressure washing equipment.

They recommend API service SG,SH,SJ or OR HIGHER.

I took this from their 2025 copy-written document and decided to describe it because there are too many inaccurate recommendations floating out there. This is for Briggs and Stratton equipment. Also, if someone is actually out there cutting their grass when the ambient temperature above 100 F, have fun. :rolleyes:
Not me!!! No way, Jose!
 
I have used HDEO also, but recently an interesting video was posted that HDEO may offer less protection in a gasoline engine. Can’t remember where it was on here but I think it was one of Lake Speeds videos. I know, instantly controversial. 😛
Most, if not all, 15w-40’s are API SN rated now. If that’s a concern to you..
 
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