One of the essential tasks for maintaining your lawn mower engine is regular oil changes – this ensures the machine is always working correctly.
If you’re aiming to have the best-looking garden and lawn on your block, you need to have the lawn mower blades sharp and balanced, plus use a high-quality oil to make sure the engine runs without any issues.
Although you might feel that your lawnmower is just another piece of garden equipment that doesn’t require too much attention, you must ensure you do all the necessary things to prolong its life as well as the look of your landscape.
There are various types of lawn mowers with different motors, so it’s essential to use a suitable type of oil for optimal performance.
Below, you can read some of our recommendations on which is the best oil for a lawn mower sold on Amazon.
Enjoy!
Top Pick
Our top pick of oil for a lawn mower is the Briggs & Stratton 30W oil. This product is manufactured in the USA and is specifically designed for use in warm temperatures. The brand is a recognized oil manufacturer, highly regarded among gardeners and lawn mower enthusiasts.
You should never compromise on the quality of the oil you use in your lawn mower. That’s why this product is the perfect choice to help you prolong the life of your machine.
Budget Pick
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out the Lawn-Boy 8-ounce bottle. This oil is designed to withstand high operating temperatures, and thanks to its special additives, it’ll keep the engine clean and free from deposit accumulation.
You can be sure to extend the work and lifespan of the lawn mower with this product. Additionally, the offer is an excellent value for money, making it a great choice for 2-cycle engine lawn mowers.
Quick Navigation
- What Types of Oil Are Suitable for Lawn Mowers?
- What are the Main Features to Check for?
- When’s the Best Time to Change the Lawn Mower Oil?
- How to Check Oil Level?
- How to Remove Old Oil From a Lawn Mower?
- What’s The Right Amount of Oil?
- Oil for Lawn Mower Reviews
- 1. Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Oil
- Final Thoughts
What Types of Oil Are Suitable for Lawn Mowers?
As you may have noticed in our review, there are different types of oils for lawn mowers, each typically designed to fit various engine types.
More so, you can use even motor oils to fuel up your lawn mowers, since they’re made in the same manner and can work well with smaller engines like these.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, we recommend using specialized lawn mower oil to achieve optimal performance from your equipment and maintain it in good condition throughout the year, even during the off-season.
Below, you can review some of the types of oil and the climates in which they’re used. This list can give you a better understanding of what to buy.
- SAE 30 is designed for warmer climates and is one of the most commonly used motor oils for small engines, such as lawn mowers.
- SAE 10W-30 provides optimal performance in areas with varying climates and temperatures, and it excels at cold starting, although it may increase overall oil consumption.
- SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil is also suitable for cold starts and exhibits a low oil consumption level.
- SAE 5W semi-synthetic is best used for extreme cold climates.
What are the Main Features to Check for?
Some of the most essential features to consider when purchasing any oil are its viscosity and quantity.
- Viscosity is used to define the thickness of a fluid, as well as its ability to flow. For instance, if the oil has high viscosity at cold temperatures, it can become even thicker, and when heated, it can become thinner. Additionally, the variation in fluidity can influence engine lubrication – the more freely the oil can flow, the better the lubrication will be, as it can reach even the most minor parts of the engine. On the other hand, thick oils can’t get to the small parts quickly; however, once they do, they’ll keep the parts lubricated for longer. Ultimately, it all comes down to the type of climate you live in.
- Quantity is another factor to consider when purchasing fuel for your lawn mower. Ensure you buy the correct amount of oil to fill the mower, avoiding both excess and insufficient oil.
When’s the Best Time to Change the Lawn Mower Oil?
This depends on the different specifications and characteristics shared by the lawn mower manufacturer. Some engines are designed in a way that doesn’t require any oil changes. To avoid trouble, refer to the instruction manual to find the correct answer. Ideally, you can change the oil at least once every season.
How to Check Oil Level?
Checking the oil level in your mower is a regular task that ensures there is always enough oil for the mower to run correctly. There are some steps you need to take to check the level:
- With slight pressure, remove the dipstick cup, clean it, and then reinsert it, ensuring it is locked in place.
- Then, again, remove the cap and check the oil level.
How to Remove Old Oil From a Lawn Mower?
It’s always a good idea to remove old oil from the lawn mower, and there are specific tips & tricks you can use to do this the right way.
First, you need to find a suitable location to dispose of the old oil, and this should be far away from gardens, grass, and other vegetation to prevent any mishaps and spills. Potentially, the best place to do this is a paved area of your yard – make sure also to cover this area with paper to avoid any stains on the concrete.
Once you’ve found the location, ensure the engine is cold before starting the draining process. For added safety, wear protective gloves to avoid burns.
For the actual draining, you can use an oil drain or a siphon pump. After turning the plug on the lawn mower counterclockwise, the oil will start draining into your collection device.
When draining oil from any motor, ensure that you dispose of it in an eco-friendly manner. Never dump the oil in your garbage bin or drain; instead, there are special dealerships, centers, or gas stations that offer assistance with oil disposal.
What’s The Right Amount of Oil?
Depending on the size of your lawn mower, you can determine how much oil to use. To make this easier, we can divide the lawn mowers into walk-behind mowers, whose capacity ranges between 15 oz and 18 oz, and riding mowers that have a larger capacity, ranging between 48 oz and 64 oz.
Additionally, you can always refer to the instruction manual for the lawn mower to ensure you understand the correct size.
Adding the right amount of oil is essential because if you add too much, the engine may start emitting gray or white smoke – this means it’s time to change the oil and add the correct amount.
Excess oil can cause difficulties with starting and lower the performance of your mower, potentially ruining a well-planned Sunday morning of grass mowing.
Oil for Lawn Mower Reviews
1. Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- USA product
- Formula for warm weather
- 4-cycle engine suitable
- High-quality
- Great bottle size
One of the first benefits that can be noticed with this product is that it comes at a very affordable price, considering the size you get, especially when compared to buying small 6-pack bottles.
Briggs & Stratton is a reputable brand on the market, so you can be confident in using this oil. Although some of their products are a bit on the expensive end, you can still find that they’re well worth it.
Using high-quality oil for your lawn mower can help extend its life, and this is one aspect of equipment upkeep that you shouldn’t compromise on.
Some of the things you can do to take care of your mower engine include checking the oil levels regularly, avoiding overfilling, and using quality products.
2. STP Oil Formula Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- High-quality base
- Friction protection
- Anti-wear technology
- Contains antioxidants
- Corrosion inhibitor
If you want premium protection for your lawn mower upkeep, then this STP oil formula is the best choice – it’s designed to provide the ideal engine lubrication as well as reduce engine wear and tear.
Moreover, it contains a corrosion inhibitor that can help extend the equipment’s shelf life during the idle season. Thanks to its high quality, the oil can help reduce friction and manage its viscosity.
Additionally, it contains detergents that help keep all engine parts clean and free from carbon deposits.
This is a universal oil that can be used for your riding or push mowers, snow blowers, generators, and various 4-cycle small engines. When using any oil and gardening equipment, please refer to the user manual for guidance.
3. 5-Quart Motor Oil by Castrol
Highlighted Features
- Engine sludge protection
- Thermal breakdown & viscosity protection
- Premium quality
- Anti-wear additives
- Reduced oil consumption
To get the best out of your lawn mowing equipment, always refer to the instruction manual and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
This motor oil by Castrol provides excellent protection against sludge, as measured by the VG Sludge test sequence, and offers superior protection against thermal breakdown and viscosity loss.
Engine sludge can be dangerous for the mower because it blocks the engine’s essential oilways and can reduce the strength and damage the engine completely if left untreated. This oil contains a double-action formula that helps remove old sludge residue and facilitates the creation of new sludge layers.
4. Honda Lawn Mower Motor Oil
Highlighted Features
- Genuine OEM Honda part
- 2 bottles
- High-quality
- Prolongs engine life
- Anti-wear
If you’re a Honda engine fan, you’ll love using this oil because it’s far superior to any other motor oil used for small engines.
According to experienced gardeners, this is a trustworthy product because it prolongs the life of both the motor and the mower.
This isn’t a synthetic oil, because, in accordance with Honda’s manufacturing rules, the suitable oils are petroleum-based and serve as a lubricant; thus, all the oils they sell must comply with the requirements in place.
You can get most of the Honda oil if you use it according to the manual instructions and change it within the recommended intervals.
5. Ashless Engine Oil by Lawn-Boy
Highlighted Features
- High temperature resistant
- Prevent engine buildup
- Easy mixing
- All-in-one formula
- Toro & Lawn-boy 2-cycle
This Lawn-Boy ashless engine motor oil is formulated to withstand even the highest temperatures and 2-cycle engines. Thanks to the included special additives, you can be certain that the motor will be clean, and you won’t experience any engine deposit accumulation.
In the long run, this can help prolong the motor’s life and maintain its power. The consequential and special formula can be easily mixed, regardless of the weather conditions – plus, the formula includes a fuel stabilizer that helps start the engine much smoother.
This manufacturer offers a premeasured container that helps you understand how much oil you have used and how much is left. It’s suitable for lawn-boy and Toro 2-cycle engines.
6. Toro Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- Genuine OEM Toro
- Tested & approved
- Reduced molecular shearing
- Prolongs engine life
- High-quality
If you need genuine OEM Toro oil, this 18-ounce bottle can help improve the overall performance of your Toro lawn mower. Since the oil has been formulated to deliver the best results, you can be assured that all stringent requirements have been met, and the testing has been conducted on hundreds of engines.
Furthermore, the oil can reduce molecular shaving and provide a long life. Also, if you’re not ready to pay for expensive mower servicing, you can do it yourself, and this oil can help you in the process.
This product offers excellent value because it’s much cheaper than some options sold in stores – you can use it and dispense easily.
Your lawn mower will run efficiently for years to come when paired with this fantastic product.
7. Husqvarna 32-ounce Mower Engine Oil
Highlighted Features
- 4-cycle engine
- Exceeds API SJ specs
- High-temperature protection
- Reduces wear & tear
- High-quality
This Husqvarna 32-ounce engine oil is a premium formula designed to fit various 4-cycle engines, making it ideal for walk-behind lawn mowers. Thanks to its excellent protection against high temperatures, it’ll keep the engine safe.
Additionally, it helps minimize scuffing and wear on the engine. To get the most out of the oil, follow the instruction manual carefully.
One of the notable features of this Husqvarna oil is that it exceeds the various API SJ specifications, ensuring top-quality protection for your valuable lawn mower engine.
8. John Deere Turf-Gard Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- 4-cycle oil
- Gas engine exclusive
- Max protection
- 2-quart bottle
- Great quality
John Deere’s turf-gard oil works great with 4-cycle type engines, and it offers max protection for both the garden and the equipment you’re using.
This product is exclusive for gas engines, and the offer with 2-quart bottles is an excellent value for money when compared to other products in its category.
According to satisfied gardeners, this oil can fill up your lawn mower gas container, and you’ll have some leftover for next time – it’s precisely what you need for cutting the fast-growing lawn grass.
This is a conventional regular oil blend that contains additives that provide continuous protection and lubrication.
9. Alamia Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- Genuine Honda OEM
- Air filter
- Spark plug
- 12-oz engine oil
- Great quality
This great product by Alamia offers several excellent items in one. For an excellent and affordable price, you can obtain genuine Honda OEM parts, spark plugs, engine oil, air filters, and a tune-up kit.
You should keep in mind that the amount of oil in this package may be sufficient for one fill. However, the spark plug is a handy tool to have around your garden. It can come in different sizes, depending on its intended use.
Additionally, there are some locations where it’s challenging to find Honda parts, and the convenience of ordering online, which this product provides, is beneficial.
Last but not least, the shipping is fast, and it fits Honda lawnmowers perfectly.
10. Pennzoil Lawn Mower Oil
Highlighted Features
- Full synthetic
- Fuel economy
- Wear & tear protection
- 1-quart bottle
- Low-temperature oil flow
This Pennzoil Platinum motor oil is a full synthetic oil formulated from natural gas using PurePlus technology.
Additionally, you can be sure to save fuel and achieve an average of 550 miles more run time per year. When compared to other synthetic blends, this oil offers much better friction and wear protection.
The advanced formula helps regulate oil flow in low or extremely high temperatures – you need proper lubrication for the fuel to flow quickly and lubricate various engine parts.
Thanks to horsepower protection, you can be sure that the engine won’t lose power, and it’ll be protected from deposit formation.
Final Thoughts
Our extensive list of oil recommendations and tips on how to optimize the performance of your lawn mower oil can help enhance your everyday gardening activities.
Changing the engine oil is a crucial task that must be taken seriously from several aspects – to ensure engine longevity, keep the environment and yourself safe.
On our list, you can find the right choice for you – the recommendations for the best oil for lawn mowers vary in both pricing and type, so there’s something for everyone.
Our first suggestion is Briggs & Stratton lawn mower oil, which works exceptionally well in higher temperatures. It has excellent quality and can help you maintain your lawn mower in excellent condition throughout the year, especially in the off-season.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option of good quality, the Lawn-Boy lawn mower oil is the perfect choice for you. It contains detergent additives that help keep the engine clean and free from debris. You’ll notice the benefits immediately after your first use.
Happy Gardening!