Synthetic Oil. What I learned about it.

[Landrus2]

Originally Posted by JasonsLawnCare1

yes. i change every 100hrs which is what my mower manual says to do. i use synthetic though. if i were to use regular i would do it more often. it's not about being dirty it's about the oil not breaking down. would you be fine to run regular oil 100hrs? yes but it will be more broken down at 100hrs than synthetic oil would be.

We all change oil but we barely clean the cooling fins That is # one engine killer

[Patriot Services]

Originally Posted by joesimoes2

We all change oil but we barely clean the cooling fins That is # one engine killer

This is when you are happy you spent a few extra bucks for the synthetic that can handle the heat without breaking down. I was at Walmart last night. All the full synthetics were no more than 10 dollars extra per 5qt jug. The saying "pennywise and pound foolish" comes to mind.

[Valk]

Nothing but Mobil 1 15w50 in my KAW KAIs...after proper (8hr+50hr) break-in with 30wt dino of course.

[weeze]

Originally Posted by joesimoes2

We all change oil but we barely clean the cooling fins That is # one engine killer

i've been removing the fan shroud and cleaning mine out after every season but there's hardly anything in there. i always take the blower and blow down through the fan after every yard i cut. i think it keeps it cleaned out. also i don't cut in the rain. water and dust turn into mud that sticks in the fins lol. i'm gonna wait 2 seasons this next time to check it. they say check it every 100hrs but i wouldn't do it but every 250hrs to be honest. i guess if you cut in the rain alot you may wanna check it every 100hrs because it might be gunked up in there lol.

[Landrus2]

Originally Posted by JasonsLawnCare1

i've been removing the fan shroud and cleaning mine out after every season but there's hardly anything in there. i always take the blower and blow down through the fan after every yard i cut. i think it keeps it cleaned out. also i don't cut in the rain. water and dust turn into mud that sticks in the fins lol. i'm gonna wait 2 seasons this next time to check it. they say check it every 100hrs but i wouldn't do it but every 250hrs to be honest. i guess if you cut in the rain alot you may wanna check it every 100hrs because it might be gunked up in there lol.

When you put 1500 hours per season you start loosing bolts

[robert@honda]

Honda officially recommends 10W-30 API Service Category SJ petroleum oil for use in all* engines because petroleum oil is what is used when the engine is certified by the EPA and California ARB rules.

Synthetic oil is acceptable, provided it is 10W-30 and API Service Category SJ.

As others have said, it's not so much about the oil, but that you change it per the maintenance schedule. Often, it's not the lubrication or oil itself that fails, but the additives and detergents that can only absorb so much carbon and other byproducts produced by internal combustion engines.

* The exception for this is snowblowers, which should use 5W-30.

-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

[weeze]

Originally Posted by joesimoes2

When you put 1500 hours per season you start loosing bolts

yeah that'll never happen with me since i'm solo. at most i'll put about 250hrs a season on it lol.

if i put 1500 hrs a season on a mower i'd buy a new mower every year

[Turf Tracer]

Mobil 1 because it flows quicker.

[Patriot Services]

Originally Posted by Turf Tracer

Mobil 1 because it flows quicker.

What? You do know brand name has absolutely nothing to do with an oils pourability, right?

[Turf Tracer]

ok Synthetic Oil Flows FASTER at Start-up.

This is a huge plus