What does "low ash" mean?

[kkreit01]

I recently bought a new Cub Cadet push mower -- which I love compared to the old MTD 3.75 HP 22" mower I was trying the mulch with. I plan to use 10W30 -- as recommended for all-around use. After reading all the confusing posts here about which oil to use, I decided to go to my local service center. While there, I picked up a qt. of Cub Cadet 10w30 for $6.78. It appears to be all dino, and SM rated. But, it's "low ash". I'm gussing I can use any over-the-counter 10w30, and just be fine? I decided to go "above-and-beyond" for the break-in oil.

I also picked up a 1/64 scale Cub Cadet-sponsored NASCAR Fusion for the same price (call me stupid). It's discontinued, and only available through CC dealers.

 

[TimVipond]

Follow your owners manual recommendations for lawn mower oil. These little air cooled engines get quite hot and might need an oil designed for this application. I think all modern car (API SM) and truck (CJ4) oils are low ash, but the older truck oil (CI4+ and older) are considered high ash. Amsoil makes a specialized synthetic small engine oil if you really want to go "above-and-behone" and you can read about it here: https://www.amsoil.com/lit/databulletins/g2217_rev9_06.pdf .

 

[daman]

After break in i would use Amsoil's ACD 10w30/SAE 30w,
more robust oil IMO, better TBN and no VI's so it won't
shear..$.02

my new Sears 18.5 hp loves the stuff..

 

[kkreit01]

Thanks. I got totally ripped on the oil. TSC has it for $3.99 (but SL rated). The had Honda oil for $3.79, and Kohler for $3.29. Oh well, I've learned. At least I can add a "Cub Cadet" qt. to my collection.

 

[doitmyself]

Today, I picked up a gallon of Rotella T 30wt. for my new Kawasaki engine at the TSC store. I perused the small engine oil section and looked at the bottle labels (but didn't sniff them like the Gold Castrol guys).

If you chose to stay with a TSC conventional oil labeled specifically for small engines, it "appears" that the Kohler 10w30 is very robust. It is API rated both SJ and diesel CH 4(I think). It "should" have a more robust additive package than just an SL/SM product. And, $3.29 a quart isn't too bad relative to other products.

FYI, this is all based on package labels, not real data.

Regarding ash, I have seen oil with 0.8% up to over 1.3%, but someone else needs to chime in to explain the significance of this. Probably don't have to be concerned about finding a product that's too high for a small engine.

 

[wileyE]

The ash is usually a bi product of burning the metallic detergent additive in the oil. Higher the % might indicate the oil has more of these additives. If you look at the used oil analysis or VOA's here, CA would be one # that could affect the sulphate d ash %. Usually diesel oils have lots of this stuff.

 

[psudaytona]

So, I guess no adding a bottle of SLOB or VSOT? Sorry, had to ask

 

[kkreit01]

I actually added about 1-2 oz. of SLOB to my last OCI on the B&S! Was this bad?