Lawn Mower Oil: What Can You Put In A Gasoline Mower? Can I Add Automotive Oil?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 04:10

Rarely does a private home owner do without a lawn mower. You may not even have a lawn that needs regular maintenance, but still use a lawn mower. This technique, like any other, needs periodic maintenance, such as an oil change. Each lawn mower owner needs to know which liquid can be used for these purposes, how to choose it correctly and fill it into the unit.

Oil functions

Lawn mower lubricant should be carefully selected and high quality oils should be preferred. If you save on this consumable liquid, then it will not perform its functions to the full, the lawn mower will fail in a short time and will require expensive repairs. The oil used in a lawn mower has an important role to play. It has the following functions:

• lubrication of parts that experience a high frictional force during operation;
• removal of thermal energy from heated parts;
• reduced engine wear;
• minimizing the development of such negative phenomena as deposits of various types, the formation of soot and varnish;
• protection of parts from the formation and effects of corrosion;
• decrease in the toxicity index of exhaust gaseous substances;
• minimizing the amount of smoke.

The engine of a lawn mower is significantly different from that which is installed in cars and motor vehicles. Therefore, different lubricants should be used for these units. You cannot replace one oil with another. The consequences for technology can be the most unpredictable.

The engines used for lawn mowers do not have an oil pump. This circumstance creates high requirements for the oil, especially for the indicators of its viscosity.

In a lawn mower engine, the crankshaft is responsible for distributing the oil . The liquid is scooped out of the crankcase by parts that resemble spoons in shape. The speed of their movement is colossal. Such design features of the motor require the use of oil, which contains high quality additives. These components reduce the ability of the working fluid to foam and become more viscous from high temperatures.

In low-cost, low-grade oils, these additives are found in smaller quantities and their quality is highly questionable. A good oil should have such a viscosity that it can stick well on parts and not create difficulties for the movement of mechanisms inside the motor.

Varieties

To choose the right gardening fluid and always know what to buy, you need to study the existing varieties of oils. First of all, technical oil fluids are separated by chemical composition.

Mineral oils are created on the basis obtained from petroleum refined products. These fluids are viscous and must be changed frequently. They are designed for low power motors. Most recommended for summer use.

Synthetic fluids as a basis, they have special synthetic substances, which include esters. The viscosity is at a low level, long service life and year-round use - no other type of lubricant can boast such high characteristics. These fluids are ideal for demanding applications in harsh environments.

Semi-synthetic engine oil is created from substances of mineral and synthetic type. These oils are the middle choice between the two previous fluids. Semi-synthetic oils are ideal for garden and park equipment, two- and four-stroke engines.

There are several other classifications based on different requirements. The most common API classification. It is supported by different countries and many manufacturers. According to this classification, all engine oils are divided into the following types:

• TA is the best option for household appliances with a motor up to 50 cc. cm;
• TB is intended for equipment with higher power, equipped with a motor of more than 50, but less than 200 cc. cm;
• TC is an oil that is intended for motors with increased requirements for the quality of the lubricating fluid; such oil can be safely poured into lawn mowers;
• TD is designed for water cooled outboard motors.

Due to the 20% solvent composition, the oil of the two-contact type is able to mix well with automotive fuel . In addition, such liquids are capable of completely burning. Lubricants can be painted in various colors. Coloring does not indicate the quality of the oil. Its function is different - it makes it easier for the user to distinguish between lubricant and fuel.

Manufacturers

When choosing an oil, great attention should be paid to its manufacturer. It is better to choose the brand recommended by the lawn mower manufacturer. In the instructions for the technique, you can find information about the filled oil, the frequency of its replacement and recommendations for choosing a working fluid.

Also, many lawn mower manufacturers release their own oils, which will have to be used for replacement if you want to maintain the warranty on the equipment . In addition, the instructions provide general characteristics that the oil must meet. When choosing a replacement fluid, you need to focus on this list. This will allow you to select the oil that will most closely match the manufacturer's requirements.

Many self-respecting manufacturers of lubricating fluids offer their consumers a separate line of products that are designed to service garden equipment. If it is possible to choose such a special oil, then you need to buy it.

Among all companies that present their products on the Russian market, the best is Shell Helix Ultra … These oils are popular in all countries. Shell specialists have been working for 40 years to create a unique technology for producing synthetic oil from natural gas. The resulting product is characterized by an improved composition, which has no analogues at this time. The manufacturer adds the necessary additives to the base composition, which makes it possible to obtain products with different characteristics. Such oil must be bought only at specialized points of sale, since low-grade counterfeits are often found.

Also, quality products are represented by the company Liqui moly … The manufacturer produces several product lines that have different purposes. This assortment includes products for the maintenance of garden equipment. These oils are designed for long-term operation of trimmers and lawn mowers, their technical characteristics are developed in accordance with the features of modern technology and manufacturer's recommendations.

Liqui Moly adds additive packages to lawn mower oils that are necessary to reduce equipment wear and keep the engine clean. The main advantage of such fluids is environmental friendliness, because they are created on a plant basis. Liqui Moly lawn mower oils meet all environmental standards.

Rasenmaher produces a good mineral-type lubricant specially developed for garden machines. This tool can be used to service 4-stroke engines with different cooling systems. The substance from Rasenmaher can only be used at freezing temperatures. The manufacturer has carefully developed and selected additives for its product. The result of such actions was a wide list of functionality:

• maintaining the pressure in the system at a stable level;
• effective lubrication of all parts that need it;
• preservation of the viscosity of the grease throughout the entire service life, until the next change;
• providing excellent protection for the motor from natural wear and tear;
• minimum evaporation rate.

Which one is better to choose?

Choosing the right mower oil is based on a large number of factors that must be followed. It does not matter if you choose a lubricant for a gasoline or a self-propelled lawn mower, you cannot use the first oil that comes along. It is also forbidden to choose the most expensive oil or the most popular. The lubricating fluid must be fully matched to the requirements of your lawnmower.

There is no universal option, therefore each case is unique and the choice of oil should be based on the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer.

By viscosity the oil is selected in accordance with the temperature conditions that are typical for the operation of garden equipment. For summer, when the ambient temperature reaches 30 degrees, it is advisable to use oil from the SAE-30 series. For the off-season it is recommended to use 10W-30 series oil. At low temperatures, Synthetic 5W-30 fluid works well.

For 2-stroke engines it is necessary to use a mixture of oil and high-octane gasoline in the ratio recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Usually the ratio is 1/25. According to these figures, 25 ml of gasoline is added for every milliliter of oil. There are exceptions, so you need to study the instructions for the lawn mower.

In the case of motors of the four-stroke type mixing of liquids is not required. A simple automobile fluid is optimal for such mechanisms. It can be SAE30, 10W40 or SF. The main thing is that the technical and operational properties match the list recommended by the manufacturer. For winter use, a liquid must be chosen with frost-resistant properties.

You cannot experiment and use oil that is not suitable for the existing motor. There is a huge difference between the fluids that are used for different types of motors . For example, a fluid for four-stroke type motors must keep its composition unchanged for a long time. Oil for two-stroke engines must have a minimum amount of mineral components to prevent the formation of carbon deposits.

Replacement recommendations

It is important not only to choose a quality oil that will suit your technique in terms of its characteristics. You also need to know how to properly pour it into the mower. The rules are simple, but must be followed:

• turn on the unit and warm up the engine idle for a quarter of an hour;
• remove the plug from the tank and substitute a container of the required volume to collect the waste liquid;
• tilt the lawn mower and drain the waste material;
• We twist the plug, put the unit on the most even surface. After that, you can open the hole from above;
• fill in a new working fluid, observing the recommendations of the manufacturer of the equipment regarding the volume, check the fluid level conveniently with a dipstick;
• when the amount of liquid has reached the required volume, you can tighten the plug.

In most cases, about 500 ml of fresh oil should be used to replace the used fluid. This norm corresponds to most of the units that are common in Russia. Exceptions, of course, are encountered, so you need to study the instructions before replacing the spent fluid.

If your lawnmower is equipped with a two-stroke engine, and this indicates the need to mix the lubricant with gasoline, then this should be done immediately before replacement. It is impossible to make such a composition with a margin, since due to a chemical reaction, the mixture loses its properties. The approximate shelf life is no more than a month. Only the components will be damaged from such actions.

It is strictly forbidden to pour waste liquid onto the ground or down the drain. Working off should be given to special points for processing. It can also be used for personal purposes. Be responsible and do not pollute the environment with waste technical fluids.