What kind of oil to put in a lawn mower

Oil is a lubricant used in all internal combustion engines. Including those installed on a lawn mower. The quality of this product needs to be given special attention, since it is what forms carbon deposits and affects the life of the garden tool. And price is not always a guarantee of high quality. Our rating includes only the best options for 2- and 4-stroke lawn mowers from top and little-known manufacturers, but with guaranteed high quality.

Tips for choosing lawn mower oil

Almost every modern manufacturer of garden tools also produces oil for them. It comes under the same brand and is recommended to be used. Here you should understand that the lubricant is not produced by the brand itself, but by a third-party company, but, according to research and tests, this particular product fully meets the requirements of the company that manufactures the tool. The problem is that such oil usually costs more than usual, but in terms of composition and quality it is easy to find an analogue if you know what nuances to look for.

The most important aspect is the set of additives used. It differs depending on the type of engine, but with a few exceptions, the composition of the oils is the same.

It is much more important not to fall for a fake, of which, unfortunately, there are a lot on the modern market. Here everything depends on the brand. Top companies pay a lot of attention to protecting their product. These could be holograms, complex packaging textures, and so on.

As for the question of how much oil to pour into the engine, which is relevant only for 2-stroke models, you should always follow the manufacturer’s advice. He indicates them in the instructions. But it happens that the data from the lawn mower’s passport and from the oil bottle are different. In this case, the information from the bottle will take priority. On average, the ratio of gasoline to oil is 1:50.

What kind of oil to fill

When choosing a lubricant, the following main factors are taken into account:

• ensuring engine cooling, protection against thermal shock;
• work at high speeds and under high loads;
• corrosion resistance when the mower is idle in winter;
• absence of soot and sulfate ash content, smokeless;
• environmental friendliness;
• good solubility in gasoline;
• storage duration of the prepared lubricant.

Lawnmower oil must meet the requirements of biodegradability, all-season use and economy.

For 2-stroke engines, refueling is required with a mixture in the oil to gasoline ratio recommended by the manufacturer. For four-stroke engines, mixing is not carried out; the ingredients are poured separately into different containers. Lubrication occurs through oil pipes, pump, filter and valves.

To obtain a lubricant, the following types of oils are used that are most suitable for 2-stroke units:

• semi-synthetic;
• synthetic;
• mineral.

The liquid contains 5-15% of various additives designed to improve efficiency, slow down corrosion and stabilize viscosity.

Lawn mowers with 4-stroke engines require the use of a simple automotive fluid, such as SAE30 or 10W40 with suitable technical and operational properties. An important characteristic of oil for lawn mowers with a 4-stroke engine is that the composition remains unchanged for a long time. Almost all brands of cars are suitable for the SF composition. For operation in winter, frost-resistant liquid is poured. In the table you can find the required class of oil, which is best poured into the tank of a mower with a 4-stroke engine for operation under certain temperature conditions. For example, mineral motor oil ALKO or BISON ZMD-4T-M class SAE30 can be used at temperatures from -5 C° to +35 C°, and semi-synthetic Mannol 4-Takt Plus 10W-40 SL with a temperature range from -25 C° to +35 C° +40 C° suitable for all-season use.

The best oil for a lawn mower with a 4-stroke engine

Engines with 4-stroke systems themselves determine how much oil is needed to enrich the fuel. There is no need to calculate or mix anything manually. Just pour the lubricant into a special tank and that’s it. Now you need to top it up as you use it. This is convenient and practical, but such lawn mowers are relatively expensive, and if they break down, repairing them will cost you a pretty penny. But with oils the situation is even simpler. In fact, any summer motor oil with a viscosity of 30 units is suitable here. But it’s better to take a specialized one. It contains an expanded set of additives developed specifically for such engines, taking into account all their features.

Features of lawn mowers

Despite the fact that the general design of four-stroke lawn mower engines is similar to car engines, they still have important differences: in order to reduce the cost of the product, lawn mowers eliminate the oil pump and the oil supply system in general, this increases the requirements for the viscosity of garden equipment used in engines.
Motor oil in a lawnmower engine is distributed using the crankshaft: it is scooped up from the crankcase and sprayed onto the parts. Due to this design, the viscosity of the lubricant must be sufficient to maintain a film of oil on the parts, but at the same time it should not be too thick to interfere with the movement of parts or form a hard crust.

On the other hand, lawn mowers operate mainly at positive ambient temperatures and the load on their engines is not as severe as that of car engines. Lawn mowers most often do not require a “cold start” in the cold, which greatly reduces the life of the car engine and requires low-temperature properties from the lubricant.

On the contrary, lawn mowers, as a rule, are air-cooled and therefore their engine temperatures are higher than those of liquid-cooled car engines.

The first refueling is intended to break in the engine - after five hours of operation it is replaced, after which you can work with the new lubricant for the whole season. In the future, replacement is done according to regulations after a certain number of engine hours, or it is drained at the end of the summer season and a new one is filled in the next year.

Top 5. Motul Garden 4T SAE 30

Rating (2021): 4.33

12 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Reviewer

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 551 rub.

• Country: France
• Type: mineral
• Classification: SG

Motul is one of the top manufacturers of motor oils, but if we are talking about 4-stroke engines, then it does not have the most honorable place in this ranking. It’s difficult to say why this is, but buyers do not rate the quality of the product very highly. This is strange, since the oil has a balanced set of additives designed specifically for lawn mowers. There is no universality here, that is, it is not recommended to pour oil into generators or walk-behind tractors. However, the limitation is rather conditional, since the lubricant is suitable for diesel engines, and manual lawn mowers with such engines are not found. But the brand paid very little attention to copy protection. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for its low popularity among buyers.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Available in different containers
• Compatible with low power diesel engines

• Virtually no copy protection
• Recommended for lawnmowers only

Characteristics of garden machinery engines

Such motors operate in two modes. The first is idling, when we just started the equipment, and the maximum speed mode. Therefore, garden lubricants must maintain a stable oil film under constant high loads.

Four-stroke garden engines are lubricated by spraying, because such engines do not have an oil pump. For this technique, an important indicator will be the viscosity of the engine oil. Therefore, the most common viscosity is 30.

An important point: the engine of garden equipment: a trimmer or lawn mower, is only air-cooled. Here the lubricating fluid must work at high temperatures and prevent the engine from overheating, that is, actually save it from thermal shock.

Some engines are sensitive to sulfate ash content, which is especially true for two-stroke engines. Such restrictions are set directly by manufacturers of garden equipment, despite the fact that four-stroke engines with a low ash content requirement are already available. This is done only for the environment.

Quite stringent requirements for environmental safety. However, if you look at Russia, then this process is not very widespread yet. In the European market, in order to enter into a contract for the maintenance of garden areas within the city, you need to use only certified oils and lubricants. There, materials should cause minimal damage to the soil and plantings.

Top 4. G-Energy G-Motion 4T

Rating (2021): 4.45

43 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

High-quality protection against counterfeiting The manufacturer uses several levels of copy protection, which allows the buyer to be confident in the authenticity of the product.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 381 rub.

• Country: USA
• Type: semi-synthetic
• Classification: SG

It's no secret that there are a lot of counterfeits on the motor oil market. It is difficult to be sure that you are buying an original product, especially if the manufacturer does not pay due attention to protection. In this case, you don't have to worry about it. G-Energy uses several levels of protection at once and almost completely eliminates illegal copying. As for the quality of the oil itself, it is also at the highest level. A balanced set of additives and good consistency make it most attractive for owners of lawn mowers, generators and walk-behind tractors. Replacement is also possible in diesel engines. The main thing is that they use 4-stroke engines.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Reliable copy protection
• Compatible with diesel engines

• Rarely found on store shelves
• Not suitable for SJ motors

Top 3. Gazpromneft Moto 4 T 30

Rating (2021): 4.73

32 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

Wide temperature range The oil maintains viscosity at temperatures down to -10 degrees. Your lawn mower can work right up to frost if necessary.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 370 rub.

• Country Russia
• Type: mineral
• Classification: SG

A lawn mower does not require oil with the lowest pour point. You won't use this tool at -30 degrees, but some lubricants are limited to +10 and this can become a problem. This product has the lowest thickening rate, meaning your lawn mower will perform great in any weather. It should also be noted that the product uses a set of additives from a third-party manufacturer that has long established itself in the market. The lubricant contains everything necessary to ensure high-quality operation of the motor and its long service life. In addition, the oil is suitable for any 4-stroke engines, regardless of their size and power.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Large temperature range
• Good consistency
• Convenient packaging

• Incompatible with diesel engines
• Classification for SG motors only

LIQUI MOLY Rasenmaher-Oil 30

Photo: https://beru.ru

Seasonal mineral motor oil for lawn mowers 1L LIQUI MOLY Rasenmaher-Oil 30 3991 is a universal product - suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines of four-stroke garden and power equipment with both air and water cooling systems. The product is recommended for use at temperatures above zero. The use of this oil guarantees high stability and durability of the units.

LIQUI MOLY Rasenmaher-Oil 30

Advantages:

• practical expense
• low price
• good manufacturer

Flaws:

• not detected

Top 2. LIQUI MOLY Universal 4-Takt Gartengerate-Oil

Rating (2021): 4.81

17 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone

Diesel compatibility The oil is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. An excellent option for owners of equipment with different engines.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 840 rub.

• Country: Germany
• Type: mineral
• Classification: SJ

If your farm, in addition to a regular lawn mower, has a generator or walk-behind tractor, and they are equipped with 4-stroke diesel engines, then this oil will be the best option for you. It is universal, and this is its main advantage. Oil can be poured into both gasoline and diesel engines. The mineral structure and optimal set of additives interact perfectly with any type of fuel and you don’t have to keep many bottles of different lubricants in the garage or shed. The brand has long established itself in the market and is one of the best. The main thing is not to fall for a low-quality fake, of which there are many on the modern market.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Diesel compatibility
• Suitable for all motors

• Much and often counterfeited
• Low copy protection

See also:

• 8 Best Husqvarna Lawn Mowers

What kind of motors are installed on a lawn mower?

Most modern lawn mowers use two-stroke, air-cooled gasoline engines. The working volume of power plants rarely exceeds 200 cubic centimeters. This design ensures moderate weight and efficiency of the unit.

In some cases, companies produce lawn mowers with four-stroke water-cooled engines. In this case, you should buy oil suitable for automobile engines - the internal combustion engine designs in this case will not be different.

Top 1. BRIGGS & STRATTON 4 Stroke

Rating (2021): 4.86

141 reviews taken into account from resources: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

The best choice Oil is most often recommended by experts as a replacement for original brand lubricants.

The most popular oil The product received the largest number of reviews in stores such as Yandex.Market, All Tools and Ozone, as well as on the Otzovik site.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 540 rub.

• Country: USA
• Type: mineral
• Classification: SJ

If you've ever taken your lawn mower to an independent service center, you've probably heard of BRIGGS & STRATTON 4 Stroke motor oil. It is what is most often recommended by craftsmen and specialists as an alternative to original, branded products. And there is nothing strange about this. The oil is really of very high quality and has the most balanced set of additives. Even after intensive use of the tool for several seasons, practically no soot and soot are found inside, and they are the main problem and become an indicator of the low quality of the product. It doesn't matter what brand of lawn mower you have. This oil is the best choice for its long service life.

Advantages and disadvantages

• High quality
• Compatible with all motors
• Minimum carbon deposits

• Often counterfeited
• Relatively high price

See also:

• 18 best petrol lawn mowers

to the beginning of the rating

Change of oil

The lubricant must be replaced in a timely manner, in accordance with the maintenance plan specified in the instructions for the specific model of lawn mower. On average, lubrication efficiency decreases every 50 hours of operation. When the lawn mower is not running, the oil filter should be cleaned and the oil changed.

The oil change is carried out as follows:

• turn on the mower and warm up the engine at idle for 15 minutes;
• unscrew the plug in the tank hole;
• place a container for collecting waste;
• tilt the device towards the drain;
• after draining the waste material, tighten the plug;
• Place the mower on a flat surface and open the hole at the top;
• fill the oil to the required level, the level is controlled by the dipstick;
• close the hole and tighten the plug.

The volume of liquid filled in most units reaches 500-600 ml.

Top 5. LIQUI MOLY 2-Takt-Motoroil

Rating (2021): 4.51

26 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 470 rub.

• Country: Germany
• Type: semi-synthetic

LIQUI MOLY is one of the most famous motor oil manufacturers in the world. It is often called the best, and the brand’s catalog also includes lubricants for two-stroke engines. An interesting feature of this product is that it can be poured into any engines up to 100 cc. This is a very large spread. Simply put, the lubricant is suitable not only for a chainsaw or lawn mower, but also for a moped and even a motorcycle. That is why the oil is supplied in a variety of containers from 0.5 to 5 liters. If the manufacturer had paid more attention to protection against counterfeiting, the product could have taken a much higher position in the ranking. But due to the huge number of fakes on the market, buyers treat it with distrust.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Used in engines up to 100cc
• Many types of containers of different sizes
• Bottle with convenient dispenser

• Most counterfeited product
• Virtually no copy protection

Top 4. Gazpromneft Moto 2T

Rating (2021): 4.56

89 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

Universal use The oil is suitable for all engines up to 80 cc, regardless of what equipment they are installed on.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 311 rub.

• Country Russia
• Type: synthetic

If your household has a lot of different equipment with 2-stroke engines and you are tired of storing dozens of bottles of oil in the garage, pay attention to this product. Its main advantage is versatility. It doesn’t matter where you want to pour it: into a lawn mower, generator, walk-behind tractor, or even a scooter. There are no restrictions, at least the manufacturer convinces us of this. This became possible thanks to the use of a complex additive package, which includes more than 50 active components that work depending on whether they are needed or not. It is always difficult to talk about the composition of the oil, but, according to reviews left by real users, the quality is at an acceptable level.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Universal use
• Wide range of operating temperatures
• Convenient packaging

• The composition is too complex

What kind of oil to put in a lawn mower?

Everyone knows that a car engine requires special care, which will ensure a long and trouble-free life for the engine. The same rule applies to the engine of a gasoline lawn mower: depending on whether you have a trimmer or a large four-wheeled mower, you will be faced with the problem of choosing an oil. So what are the basic requirements for oil for lawn mower engines?

How to choose oil for a lawn mower?

As with any unit, the lawn mower has an instruction manual that describes not only the main characteristics of the tool, but also the rules for caring for it. So, the instructions will say that only specialized oil should be used for lawn mowers. And some manufacturers even insist on using oil of the same brand as the lawn mower itself.

In fact, this fact turns out to be just a marketing ploy by manufacturers, and both car and motorcycle engine oil for four-stroke engines can be suitable for a lawn mower. It’s enough just to follow the basic rules:

1. The oil must be mineral or semi-synthetic. Full synthetic oil can burn your engine, so it's best not to use it at all. When operating a lawn mower on mineral oil, a lot of sludge is formed, so we advise you to opt for semi-synthetic oil. In addition, mineral oil is quite difficult to find today.

2. Oil viscosity should not exceed SAE 30 or 10w30, and the quality category should vary between SE and SJ. More viscous oil can disrupt engine operation, however, this also applies to less viscous oil. All these indicators must be indicated on the packaging.

3. Select oil depending on operating temperature conditions. If you mow in cold weather, the oil viscosity may be higher than above, but you will need to change the oil to the correct one the next time you use it.

In lawn mowers with four-stroke engines, oil is poured into a special crankcase and is never mixed with gasoline, since the design of such a lawn mower does not involve a mixture of oil and fuel. On the contrary, it can cause engine damage. It is enough to change the oil once a season, since the crankcase usually holds from 450 to 600 ml of oil - this is enough to treat large areas. However, do not be lazy to check the oil level before each use of the tool.

How is oil used in two-stroke lawn mowers?

As a rule, a two-stroke engine is installed on trimmers, and since their design does not imply the presence of unnecessary parts, a separate container for oil is not provided. What to do in this case? Prepare the fuel mixture. For lawn mowers with a two-stroke engine, the same rules apply as for their larger counterparts, with one exception - you need to buy oil for units with a two-stroke engine.

On each trimmer (or in the instructions for it) the proportions of mixing fuel and oil are indicated: from 1:32 to 1:35. This rule only applies to mineral oil! And since it is quite difficult to find it now, and the cost can scare it off, semi-synthetic or even synthetic oil is most often used. Please note that the mixing proportions in this case change and become 1:50. If in doubt, carefully study the oil packaging; it usually contains this information. You should focus on them. To prepare the mixture, simply pour 100 ml of oil into five liters of gasoline; this should be enough for a whole season of regular mowing. If not, repeat the procedure.

Top 3. Huter 2T

Rating (2021): 4.58

76 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone

Best price The cheapest oil for 2-stroke engines from a top manufacturer. The price per 1 liter is approximately 10% lower than that of its nearest competitor.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 220 rub.

• Country: Germany
• Type: semi-synthetic

When it comes to top brands, associations immediately arise with exorbitant prices. But not in this case. This is Hooter oil, one of the most famous manufacturers on the garden equipment market, and it is the cheapest oil in our rating. That rare case when you pay not for a brand, but exclusively for quality, and here it is at the highest level. Balanced additives and a proprietary set of solvents allow the oil to completely mix with the fuel. Combustion occurs with virtually no residue, which means that carbon deposits will not accumulate on the pistons, and the lawn mower will last longer without repair. Moreover, even if you have a tool from another manufacturer, this oil can still be used.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Attractive price
• Different packaging options

• Not recommended for engines larger than 50cc

Top 2. Husqvarna HP

Rating (2021): 4.59

93 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Ozone, Otzovik

The most reliable engine protection The oil contains components that ensure complete combustion of the oil and also form a protective film. This is the best engine protection against wear.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 267 rub.

• Country: Sweden
• Type: mineral

When it comes to gardening equipment, the first brand that comes to mind is Husqvarna. This is the leader in this market, and it itself produces motor oil for its tools. Now we have before us a lubricant for 2-stroke engines with a unique set of additives. The oil mixes well with fuel and burns with virtually no residue, which ensures that parts are protected from the formation of soot. It also contains protective components that significantly extend the service life of the tool. Moreover, if you have a lawn mower not made by Husqvarna, this oil is quite suitable as a replacement for the original one. A balanced composition has no restrictions.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Best replacement for any brand
• There are practically no fakes

• Rarely found on store shelves
• Little information about the composition and additives used

See also:

• 8 best Bosch lawn mowers

Top 1. Motul Garden 2T Hi-Tech

Rating (2021): 4.66

20 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, All Tools, Reviewer

Best value for money High-quality motor oil with special anti-carbon additives and an affordable price.

• Characteristics

  Average price (1 l): 610 rub.

• Country: France
• Type: semi-synthetic

Carbon deposits are the main problem with two-stroke engines. It is formed due to oil that does not burn completely after injection. Combating the formation of soot is the main task of manufacturers and Motul has succeeded in this. The lubricant contains special additives that allow it to mix better with gasoline. These are certain solvents that do not separate oil and fuel, but mix them into a single mass. Thanks to these additives, your lawn mower will work much longer without requiring repairs. And this factor should significantly offset the not-so-affordable price tag of the product. But low copy protection is a clear disadvantage of the brand. It is very easy to run into a fake.