One major factor involving how you use oil to help run a lawn mower engine is the engine itself. While most walk-behind mowers, and all riding mowers, are powered by a four-cycle engine, some compact push mowers rely on a two-cycle engine.
The main difference between the two types of engines is that a four-cycle engine requires two revolutions of the crankshaft and piston to draw the fuel and air into the cylinder, ignite it, then exhaust the combustion gases, whereas a two-cycle engine requires just one revolution to do the same thing. Another crucial difference between the two engine types is how the oil should be added.
A four-cycle engine draws gasoline from a fuel tank and has a separate sump to supply the necessary oil. A two-cycle engine requires the gasoline to be mixed with the oil for the engine to operate properly. Not all oils are equal, and it helps to get to know the subtle differences to determine the best oil for a lawn mower and avoid a costly mistake. In general, there are two main types of oil: motor oil and small-engine oil.
Brands vary in their formulas, with some being regular oil, some a mix of regular and synthetic and some fully synthetic. Older oils typically were one weight or grade only, but newer oils have a viscosity rating added.
Viscosity loosely relates to weight, or thickness, and more accurately as a measure of how the oil flows at specific temperatures. In colder temperatures, thinner single-grade oil performs better in engines. It gets a little more complicated with multigrade engine oil. Look at the first number, with a W 10W, for example as a measure of flow in cold temperatures. The W stands for winter not weight. The lower this number, the less viscosity an oil will have at colder temperatures, and the better it will flow.
The higher number that follows the 30 in 10W 30 refers to viscosity at higher operating temperatures and in hot weather. Multigrade oils typically are designed to flow in a range of temperatures to match conditions. Some oils have additives that also keep viscosity steadier in cold or heat.
They each have a code with numbers and letters, which explain how well the oil performs under certain conditions. Their numbers describe the flow of the oil, with lower numbers flowing best at lower temperatures. Multigrade oil performs well in high and low temperatures. If you live in a hotter climate or have a small lawnmower, you should opt for SAE 30 type oil. It performs well in warm climates and has a specific design for smaller engines.
It is also one of the most affordable options. It can work across a variety of temperatures and can also withstand ongoing and heavy use. Synthetic oil is viable for most conditions.
It is very slippery and so it works well as a lubricant. Compared to other oil types, it also performs well in more extreme temperatures. However, it can be more expensive and less efficient than conventional oil.
You should change your lawn mower oil after approximately 50 hours of use. For these reasons, it is best to follow the advice as specified in your manual. Residential walk behind lawn mowers that are currently being manufactured most likely have 4-cycle engines.
In these engines, gas and oil go into separate reservoirs on your mower.
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