Is Synthetic Or Regular Oil Better For Your Lawn Mower? Here's What We Found

If you have a decent sized yard, chances are you also have a lawn mower. Electric mowers and even hand powered reel mowers are options and are growing in popularity thanks to their environmental benefits, but currently gas lawn mowers remain the most popular option. While purchasing gasoline for these mowers is generally quite simple as most use the same gas as cars generally use, the oil needed to keep the engine running smooth may be more complicated. If you've ever visited the oil aisle in a home improvement store, you know that the options can look a bit overwhelming. The short answer to what types of oil to use in your mower is that you should use the type recommended by the lawn mower's manufacturer.

There's a good chance your owner's manual states that multiple types of oil are acceptable though. In that case, you may want to consider factors including your climate and how often you use your lawn equipment when deciding on the best oil for your needs. Regardless of whether you opt for synthetic or regular, be sure you get an oil intended for use in small engines. 

While there are likely multiple types of small engine oil that are okay to use in your lawn mower, synthetic options have the advantage of working well at many temperatures and of being more efficient. When comparing regular oils you may find that some options like SAE 30 work best at higher temperatures, while others are designed for colder temperatures and may be more at home in your snow blower than lawn mower. Don't forget that using a synthetic oil doesn't mean you can or should change the oil less often. You should still be changing your oil at least once a year. 

No matter what type of oil you use, whether it be synthetic or regular, oil is essential for keeping gas powered engines running well. It acts as a lubricant and helps to keep the mower's engine running smoothly. It can even help make your mower more fuel efficient and less likely to require costly repairs. A well functioning mower is key to preventing injuries, as well.