Can You Use Car Oil In A Lawn Mower

Can You Use Car Oil In A Lawn Mower? Here Is The Answer

4 minutes

This is an obvious question that comes in the mind of many mower users. And throw out all of your confusion as you are going to get the answer here!  

Oil is a must item to run the mower flawlessly. You know a lawnmower can’t function accurately if you do not change the oil on a regular basis. 

And changing the old oil and filling the fuel tank with new oil is a part of the regular maintenance of a lawnmower.  It’s not a difficult task. If you change the oil regularly, it can increase the durability of the lawnmower. 

But I guess a question is swirling in your mind. Can you use car oil in a lawn mower? 

Of course, you can use it.

But before using car oil into a mower, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. Do you know what they are? If no,don’t worry.

This article is going to be handy for you to know what you should do in this case. 

So, let’s start. 

Types Of Oil For A Lawnmower

If you want to use the car oil for your lawnmower, it depends mostly on the quality of the car oil you used for your car. Note that a low priced and low-quality car oil will cause severe damage to the lawnmower.

Most of the lawnmower oil is highly-priced due to its good quality. SAE 30 motor oil is always recommended to keep the lawnmower engine in a good condition for a long time. But before using oil, check the user manuals of the mower to get the best recommendation. 

Sometimes 10W-30 and 10W-40 is used in the car. These two types of oil are good in quality and you can use these oil as your lawnmower fuel. 

Don’t leave us. We also have some core information for you. Keep reading.

Can You Use Car Oil In A Lawn Mower? Here Is The Answer

Time To Change The Lawnmower Oil

According to the user manual of the lawnmower, it is recommended to change the lawnmower oil after the use of 25 hours. But you can change the mower oil even before that if you run the mower in a very dusty place. 

And it is best to change the mower oil at least before every mowing season. It will increase the durability of the lawnmower and you can use the mower in the whole season without facing any difficulties. 

The Process To Change The Mower Oil

When you are confirmed about the oil, then you need to change the mower oil, even with the car oil. You know changing the mower oil is a facile task. Follow the steps outlined below. 

Steps to follow: 

Step #1: Prepare The Lawn Mower

Take the lawnmower into a flat surface and enable the parking mode.

Step #2: Remove Spark Plug

Disconnect the power cable or spark plug from the mower.

Step #3: Drain The Fuel Tank

If you are using a push mower, you need to tilt the lawnmower into the right side to drain the whole oil from the fuel tank.  But if you are a  riding mower user you need to find the oil drain valve to change the mower oil.

Step #4: Use Funnel Or Bowl To Drain Oil

For a push mower, use a funnel to drain the whole oil. But for a riding lawnmower, place a bowl under the oil drain valve and wait until the oil is completely removed. 

Step #5: Refill New Oil

After removing the old mower oil, fill the tank with new oil.

Step #6: Reconnect Spark Plug

Connect the power cable or spark plug and disable the parking mode.

Recommendations

  • Make sure the carburetor is on the opposite side wherever the mower is tilted.
  • After changing the mower oil, turn on the power of the mower. It will warm up the new oil and reduce the thickness of the oil. 
  • Place a newspaper under the oil bowl so that the oil that falls out of the bowl can be collected easily.

Cautions

  • Go through the user manual of the mower to choose the best-suited oil for your mower. 
  • Wear hand gloves and goggles to avoid any kind of unwanted injury. 

Final Verdict

Though the mower oil is high-priced, you can use the car oil instead. But you need to ensure that the car oil must be high quality and won’t do any harm to the mower. 

You know if you use the same quality oil for your car and lawnmower, it will reduce your expenses. Then there is no need to buy oil separately for your two devices.

Now it’s up to you. Can you use car oil in a lawn mower? I hope from this article you’ve got the necessary information in this regard.

oil
Todd L Miles
Lawn Mowers Enthusiast
I started "Landscape and Lawns Care" to provide clients with lawn care with better service, better products and, most importantly, better ethics. My promise to every customer is to give the greenest grass possible while controlling weeds, insects, and diseases! The most important thing is that I strive to always do the right thing for you, your lawn and your wallet!

1 comment

Jack says:

I bought a 20″ Bolen push mower 2 years ago late in the year and put no more than 3 hours on it. I ran all the fuel out the last use so I could store it. I could not get it to start the following spring and oddly enough my next door neighbor has the same problem with his. What a piece of garbage. I borrowed a mower last year as my dad had an extra, but I will have to purchase a new one this year. I have never had a mower especially with a Briggs engine that is that kind of garbage.

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