When the term “engine oil” is mentioned, we automatically assume that it is referring to a car. This might come as a surprise to most people but similar to a car, if you don’t change the oil in your everyday 4 stroke mower then you may find it won’t run at its optimal performance or run at all; depending on the machine, this could be an expensive mistake to make.
Our focus in this article is going to be small engines and we will be discussing what types of oil should be used in certain engines, and how often this oil should be changed.
What Oil Do I Use In A 2 Or 4 Stroke Engine?
2-stroke engine oil is first mixed with the fuel before being taken inside the engine. It then passes through the engine’s crankcase and then onto the cylinders. This is why you see 2 stroke engines smoking more than regular 4 stroke engines, it’s burning off the oil that’d been added into the fuel.
It’s important to adhere to the ratio recommended by the manufacture to get the best out of your 2 stroke engine with the least amount of smoke. In some 2 stroke engines, an injector pump is installed and will inject the engine oil into the fuel before it goes into combustion. If an injector has been used, the engine oil will be stored inside of a small tank next to the engine.
4-stroke engine oil is used for 4-stroke engines and in these engines, the engine oil and the fuel is used separately. Oil is used to lubricate the engines mechanical moving parts and fuel to provide combustion
How Often Should You Change Oil In A 4 Stroke Lawn Mower Or Chainsaw?
Just as you would change the engine oil in your car, you have to do the same with your lawn mower or your chainsaw. Typically, a lawn mower must have its oil changed between 20 to 50 hours of use or every 6 months.
To help put this into perspective, if you were to use your lawnmower for a couple of hours every two weeks, this comes to roughly 30 hours a year.
To ensure that you are choosing the correct oil for your lawn mower, take a look at the user manual or information sticker on the mower. It will provide you with all of the information that you need to know about oil changes and your lawn mower.
By changing engine oil regularly in your lawn mower, you ensure the lawn mower is operating at its peak performance. Not only that, but a lot of engine oils for lawn mowers have rust prevention properties which aid to prolong your equipment’s life.
What Kind Of Oil Should I Use In My 4 Stroke Lawn Mower Or Chainsaw?
Before you attempt to change the oil in your lawn mower, you should make sure that you have the right type of oil and that you are adding the correct amount of oil to the engine. Check your owner’s manual for the correct recommendation.
The majority of 4 stroke lawn mower manufacturers suggest using SAE 30 as a base, whereas some might suggest that you use a SAE 10w-30 if outside temperatures are lower than most climates. This is due to the fact that SAE 10W-30 will make starting the device easier in colder conditions, however if this is used in hotter temperatures, this may result in the oil being used up faster than normal.
How Does Small Engine Oil Differ From Normal Engine Oil?
Car engine oils are very similar to a motorbike’s engine oil, although there are a few minor additions to a motorbike’s engine oil which are crucial to the motorbike’s functionality.
Firstly, motorbike engine oils are broken down a lot faster than car engine oils. This is caused due to higher RPM and temperatures in a motorcycle engine. Motorcycle engine oil also includes additives which aid in the protection against viscosity loss.
Secondly, the way in which these oils are used is different. You may already know that a car’s transmission is lubricated using the car’s transmission or gear oil. This fluid has properties which are essential for the transmission to function properly. With most motorbikes, the engine oil is used for the transmission’s lubrication. This is because a motorbike’s engine oil does not have as high a level of friction modifier as a car’s engine oil, and so can be used for the transmission too. Check your owner’s manual for information specific to you.
What Is The Best Oil For My Motorbike?
Before you change the oil in your motorbike make sure that you have read through the technical information provided in the user manual and meet the oil standards requirements.
In 2-stroke engines, there are standards of oil such as JASO FC and JASO FD whereas 4-stroke engines have standards of oil such as JASO MA and JASO MA2. It’s important to use the correct specification of oil to prolong the life of your engine.
*Important information* - Click here to read more about our How-To terms and conditions.
