Which Oil for Craftsman Professional Mower

[67Customs]

We just purchased a Craftsman Professional 33" self propelled lawn mower with the Briggs and Stratton Powerbuilt™ OHV 344cc* (12.5 Torque) engine.

According to the manual, you are to change the oil after the first 2 hours of use and every 25 hours of operation after that.

So, it is already time to change the oil.

It calls for SAE 30. However, it recommends using API SF or SG. The problem is that I can't find any seemingly readily available SF or SG oils. Even the Spectrum SAE 30 motor oil Craftsman carries is API SJ.

What do you all recommend? Any quality SAE 30's that you know about that carry the API SF or SG or should I stick with the Spectrum that Craftsman carries that is API SJ? Or, would I be OK in grabbing an API SM from Advance Auto? Say Pennzoil Conventional or VC.

 

[Hootbro]

SJ is a higher spec and will be back compatible with SF and SG.

 

[FL_Rob]

modern 10/40 or 20/50 is ok .I use 15/50 Mobil.Its fine bro.

 

[bubbatime]

I like Rotella SAE 30, any 15w40 diesel oil, or any synthetic 10w30.

I find that the 10w30 is easier to start in my hand pull trim mower than the 30 weight oil. The electric start mower gets 30 weight usually.

 

[boraticus]

Shell 10W40 Formula 1 or Shell Rotella T 15W40 are both excellent choices for very reasonable prices. I use both depending on which costs the least when I need to buy oil.

 

[2cool]

Virtually any modern oil will work well. I use 15w40 in my Craftsman for the last two years, and it goes very well. It's really hard to kill in an OPE engine when you use an HDEO oil. If you use a multi-viscosity oil, do check the level before every use. Some folks have reported that their mowers used more oil than straight weight oil.

 

[car54]

15w-40, without a doubt would be my choice. If you really want a straight 30w oil, go with Rotella or one of the other heavy duty offerings.

 

[daman]

I would use a HDEO 10w30,walmart should have some Shell T5 syn blend.