Small engine oil?

1831 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Ultrarunner2017, Jan 1, 2013

Ultrarunner2017

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2013

Hi;
I just took delivery of a new portable generator. It comes with a quart of 10W30 "small engine oil". I wasn't sure whether there would be a quart of oil in the shipping box, and I really didn't have the time to open it up right away to find out (and being it's New Year's Eve and I didn't think the auto stores would be open tomorrow) so I went out and bought a quart of Castrol GTX part synthetic 5W30.
As far as I can tell from reading the manual, 10W30 or 5W30 can be used. We live in NJ, and temps rarely get below 0F.

So, what's with the label "small engine oil" if it's just SAE 10W30?

That said; I think I will use the supplied oil for the first 20hrs, then, as instructed, change the oil to the part synth 5W30. I figure the Castrol GTX is a "better" oil. Whether or not it makes a difference in s amall engine or not I have no idea.
I am currently using a synthetic 10W30 in an older generator, and Mobil One 5W30 in the snow thrower.

Thanks for your advice.

FW

p.s. sorry if I sound a bit confused over this. I haven't read up on motor oil in a while.

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joecaption

· #2 · Jan 1, 2013

Any of them will work.
In your cold area 5W 30 would aid in starting in cold temperatures.
Never heard of a small engine oil.
Pick one and stick with it it to prevent foaming.

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gregzoll

· #3 · Jan 1, 2013

Auto stores will be open, so will Wal-mart & Kmart.

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Ultrarunner2017

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 1, 2013

gregzoll said:
Auto stores will be open, so will Wal-mart & Kmart.

Right. I wasn't thinking too well today...<g>

FW

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Ultrarunner2017

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 1, 2013

joecaption said:
Any of them will work.
In your cold area 5W 30 would aid in starting in cold temperatures.
Never heard of a small engine oil.
Pick one and stick with it it to prevent foaming.

In other words, one should not mix different types or viscosity of oil?

FW

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itguy08

· #6 · Jan 1, 2013

Small engine oil is probably just SAE 30 weight oil. It's what many manufacturers spec for small engines. Nothing real special about it other than its not a W (winter) oil. I'd run it for the break in and then change it to what you want at the first oil change.

Only thing different is it may have more anti wear additives or the additives may stand up to the high temps in an or cooled engine better.

You can mix oil types - wont hurt anything. But you may end up with an "odd" viscosity. Like if you mixed 10w-30 with 0w-40 you may end up with 5w-35.

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Maintenance 6

· #7 · Jan 1, 2013

Used to be that "small engine oil" didn't have the detergent additives in it that you would have in the oil you'd use in a larger engine. The reason being that detergent oils suspend dirt and carry it to the filter where it is removed. Small engines don't typically have filters, so the manufacturer wants the dirt to settle out, rather than keep travelling around inside the engine.

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joecaption

· #8 · Jan 1, 2013

http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

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Ultrarunner2017

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 1, 2013

Thanks guys! Lots of good info in this thread.
I guess I can't go wrong using the oil supplied by the manufacturer for the first 20hrs of running.

FW

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