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What is Lawn Mower Oil?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

Lawn mower oil is a type of lubricant added to a lawn mower in order to keep its engine running smoothly. It is usually added to the motor by pouring the liquid directly into it. It can also be mixed with gasoline and added to the gas tank in some instances.

A lawn mower engine is typically a two-cycle or four-cycle motor. This information is usually listed in the owner's manual. Oil is normally added directly to the engine if it is a four-cycle type. It may be mixed with gasoline and added to the gas tank if it is a two-cycle variety.

Motor oil being poured.
Motor oil being poured.

Four-cycle lawn mower oil typically comes in a 48-ounce (1.34 kg) bottle. This type may have a detergent added to help clean engine parts as it circulates. This product is normally labeled with the grade of the oil. This is usually 30W or 10W30 in most instances.

This type of fluid is generally added directly to the lawn mower engine by removing the cap located on the top of the machine. A person can then set a funnel into this opening. The amount of lawn mower oil needed can then be poured directly from the bottle.

A lawn mower's engine needs oil to continue to run smoothly.
A lawn mower's engine needs oil to continue to run smoothly.

After adding oil, a person might want to check the level of this product. This is normally done by wiping the dipstick, which is the stick on the inside of the oil cap, with a paper towel to remove any residue. A person can then insert this dipstick into the engine and pull it back out. He should then check to see that the oil level is at, or near, the line marked full.

Lawn mower oil designed for use in two-cycle engines may come in smaller bottles, ranging from 2.6 ounces (.07 kg) to 12.8 ounces (.36 kg). A gardener should mix this product with unleaded gasoline and add directly to the lawn mower's gas tank. One small bottle of this product should be mixed with one gallon (3.79 l) of fuel, while a large bottle can be mixed with about 5 gallons (18.93 l) of gas.

It is very important for a person to add lawn mower oil to his machine properly. Adding it to the gas tank of a four-cycle motor could cause this engine to become clogged and unable to run. Likewise, a two-cycle motor might not function if the proper oil and gas mixture is not added to the lawn mower's gas tank.

A lawn mower is often an essential piece of equipment for many homeowners. For this reason, it can be very important to keep this machine in peak operating condition. Adding the right type of lawn mower oil can be an easy type of maintenance for most individuals. This can save a person the expense of unnecessary repairs when done properly.

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    • Motor oil being poured.
      By: Georgi Roshkov
      Motor oil being poured.
    • A lawn mower's engine needs oil to continue to run smoothly.
      By: Horticulture
      A lawn mower's engine needs oil to continue to run smoothly.