How Often Should You Change the Oil in Your Lawn Mower?
If you don't have an electric lawn mower like Mowrator's S1 4WD, one of the most critical elements of keeping your lawn mower at the top of its game is changing its oil regularly. How often should you change your engine oil to maximize your mower's lifespan and efficiency? Read our guide to discover the different types of oil lawn mowers use, how often the oil should be changed, and how to change it.
Key Takeaways
- Lawn mowers use several types of oil including SAE 30, SAE 10W-30, SAE 5W-30, and 15W-50.
- Single-grade oil has no additives and performs better in warm climates, whereas multi-grade oil can perform better in lower temperatures.
- Change your oil every 50 to 100 hours of use or once per season, whichever comes first.
What Types of Oils Do Lawn Mowers Use?
Lawn mowers use several special types of oil to ensure that your engine works smoothly come the cutting season. These include SAE 30, SAE 10W-30, SAE 5W-30 Synthetic, Vanguard 15W-50. The type of mower oil your engine will use depends on the type of engine it has, as well as the climate in which you'll be using your lawn mower.
| SAE 30 | SAE 10W-30 | SAE 5W-30 Synthetic | Vanguard 15W-50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Temperature Range | 50°F to 95°F | 14°F to 90°F | 20°F to 125°F | - |
| Ideal Season | Spring/Summer | All Year Round | Winter | All Year Round |
| Type of Lawn Mower Oil | Single-Grade | Multi-Grade | Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Best for (Engines) | Small engines | Modern engines | Modern engines | Commercial engines |
| Applications | Personal, small mowers in warm climates | Personal, modern lawn mowers in any climate | Modern mowers in a cold and/or wet climate | Commercial lawn mowers in hot climates |
What is the Difference Between Single-Grade and Multi-Grade Oils?
The main difference between a lawn mower with single-grade vs. multi-grade oil is that single grade oil does not have additives, while multi-grade does. Additives allow a multi-grade oil to perform better at a much wider range of temperatures. In cold temperatures, you can expect a multi-grade oil to have a low viscosity and a higher viscosity in hot temperatures.
How Often Should I Change the Oil in a Lawn Mower?
How often you should change your lawn mower's oil depends on the type of lawn mower you have. Push mowers will differ from riding mowers, which will differ from lawn mowers used in commercial settings.
Brand-New Mowers
You should change the oil for a brand-new lawn mower after 5 hours of use, then after 25 hours, and then after every 50 hours of use after that. Changing a new mower’s oil between 5 and 10 hours will remove the metal shavings that accumulate when first using your lawn mower. If you don't change the oil within this timeframe, you may need to replace parts sooner than expected.
Push Mowers
A push mower with a 4-stroke engine will need an oil change at least once per season or every 50 hours of use. Some smaller mowers may need oil changes after 25 hours, so remember to consult your manual. To put the hours into perspective, if you have a half-acre lawn, it should take you anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to mow using a 21-inch push mower according to LawnSite. You can expect an oil change for your push mower after mowing your lawn between 30 and 70 times.
This range is based on factors like grass height, the terrain of your yard, and your mower's width.
Riding Mowers
Riding mowers require a similar oil change interval, which can range from 50 to 100 hours or once per season. A riding mower or zero-turn mower will also mow your lawn far quicker than a regular push mower, which means you'll be able to mow your lawn far more before you need to change lawn mower oil. It takes around 35 minutes to mow an acre of lawn, so you can expect to change the oil every 100 mows.
If you want to maximize the time between lawn mower oil changes, you may want to consider using a synthetic oil instead of single or multi-grade oil. You’ll need to check your user manual for more information before you change oil to a different type.
Commercial Mowers
Most commercial mowers recommend you change the oil in your engine every 50 to 100 hours of use. Intensive use of your mower engine may recommend you change your oil every 100 hours of use to keep the engine components working smoothly. However, if you have a hydraulic system, you should change the hydraulic oil and filter every 250 hours or so.
How do I Change the Oil for My Lawn Mower?
You can change the oil for your lawn mower easily by following these simple steps: check the oil level, drain the old oil, replace the filter, refill your engine with clean oil, and remove the old oil safely. We've put together some helpful hints to keep in mind if you need more information on each step of changing the oil in your lawn mower.
- Prepare: Before you change your oil, start up your lawn mower engine and let it run for 3 to 5 minutes. A warm engine makes draining the oil much easier. Also bring all the necessary equipment you need to check your oil filter, spark plug, and other lawn mower maintenance essentials.
- Drain Old Oil: Find your oil cap and remove it. Wait a moment to allow air into the crankcase before draining the oil from the engine. To efficiently get the oil to drain, you can either tilt the mower to let the oil drain into an oil pan or use a siphon pump to extract the oil.
- Replace the Oil Filter: If your lawn mower has an oil filter, now is a great time to remove it and replace it with a new filter.
- Refill with New Oil: Once the oil has been fully drained, and you've replaced the filter, you can begin pouring in fresh oil. Keep an eye on the dipstick to stop your oil fill from overflowing while you do so. When the oil level is correct, and you're done, fit the oil cap back onto the lawn mower securely.
- Take the Old Oil to a Disposal Facility: To complete your oil change for the season, all you need to do is safely dispose of the dirty oil. Never throw your old oil into a bin or down a drain, as this can go against your local environmental regulations and lead to fines. Instead, find your nearest recycling center or auto shop that has a use for dark oil or can dispose of it safely.
Should I Switch from an Oil to an Electric Lawn Mower?
Yes, switching to an electric lawn mower can make mowing your lawn a breeze compared to a standard lawn mower that uses oil. Battery technology has improved immensely and offers you a quick mow with a high-quality cut. As a result, you won't have to worry about regular maintenance and your impact on the environment when using an electric lawn mower.
If you want to take your lawn care to the forefront of innovation, look no further than Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower. Manage your lawn's cut from the comfort of your porch using Mowrator's all-wheel drive mower, which can manage up to 75% slopes while mulching, rear bagging, and discharging your clippings. Take the future of lawn care into your own hands and shop now!
FAQs on How Often Should You Change Your Lawn Mower’s Oil?
How Often Should You Grease Lawn Mower Parts?
You should grease the important parts of your lawn mower about once a month. The spindles and castor wheels are the most important parts of your lawn mower to consistently grease to keep your mower efficient.
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