If you want your lawn mower to run smoothly and efficiently, then using the right products in it is essential. One thing that a gas lawn mower needs to lubricate internal parts is engine oil. But you will notice that there are a lot of different types of oil out there. When it comes to choosing the right Troy Bilt mower oil type, you need to make sure you get something that’s suitable for your mower.
Troy Bilt uses a variety of engines in its lawn mowers and this means that each one requires a different oil. However, generally speaking, you will find that synthetic oil ilke SAW-5W30 is safe for more TB mowers. Of course, you also have to consider the climate as engine oil will be affected by temperature.
SAE-5W30 works well in both high and low temperatures so is considered safe in most situations. However, you will notice that Troy Bilt doesn’t endorse any particular oil although they do offer a wide range of choices online.
If you are in any doubt as to what kind of oil for a Troy Bilt mower then the best thing to do is take a look at your user manual. This will normally tell you everything you need to know. But here’s our ultimate guide on the best Troy Bilt lawn mower oil type.
Since Troy Bilt uses engines from various manufacturers in its mowers, the first thing you will need to do is identify which engine your mower has.
Kohler Engines
Some Troy Bilt lawn mowers will contain an engine made by Kohler. The main thing to think about with these engines is the climate you’ll be operating them in. If this regularly drops below 0 degrees, then you’ll need to use SAE5W-30 oil. However, for more average climates, an SAE 10W-30 oil will work very well.
Honda Engines
Honda is an engine brand favored by many lawn mower manufacturers and for good reason. With things like the GX120, GX200 and the GX160, these are powerful and reliable engines. But as with the Kohler engines, you will need to consider the temperature you’ll be using your mower in.
For Honda engines that will run in climates between 0 and 100 degrees, you should use a SAE 10W-30 oil.
However, if you’re going to largely use the Honda engine only during the summer mowing season, you’ll be better off using SAE 30 oil. This will work best in temperatures that are between 50 and 60 degrees.
Briggs and Stratton Engines
If you know anything about engines then you’ll know that Briggs and Stratton is one of the best manufacturers in terms of quality and performance. But there are lots of different oils that this manufacturer recommends for its mower and, if you want the best out of your mower, it’s important to choose the right one.
| Type Of Oil | Benefits |
|---|---|
| SAE 30 |
|
| SAE 10W - 30 |
|
| SAE 5W - 30 |
|
| SAE 5W - 30 Synthetic Oil |
|
| Vanguard 15W - 50 |
|
What Type Of Oil for Troy Bilt Riding Mowers?
Troy Bilt also makes a range of riding mowers but the type of oil you might use in them will largely depend on the model. For the most tailored advice, we would recommend checking your used guide.
However, it’ll also again depend on the type of engine your lawn mower has, as detailed above. Push mowers might only take around 32 ounces of oil whereas a large riding mower could take up to 48 ounces. Whether or not there is an oil filter will also impact how much and what kind of oil for Troy Bilt riding mower.
Different Types Of Lawn Mower Oil
There is a common misconception that motor oil is motor oil but it’s really important to understand that there are different types.
Small engines are often not able to handle the same type of oil that you might use in something like a car or truck, for example. This is because these oils tend to be a lot more viscous and this can result in engine components becoming clogged.
On the flip side, small engine oil wouldn’t be suitable for use in larger vehicles as it simply wouldn’t provide the right level of lubrication. This is why it is so important to find the right type of engine oil for your Troy Bilt lawn mower.
Different Oil For Two Stroke vs Four Stroke
One of the things that you absolutely must consider when choosing engine oil for your Troy Bilt mower is whether you have a two stroke or four stroke engine. SInce these engines work in different ways, it goes without saying that they require different types of engine oil.
The main difference between these two types of engine is that a four stroke engine has a dedicated reservoir for oil while the two stroke engine requires you to mix the fuel and oil together in the same tank. Moreover, four stroke engines tend to be a little more complex and could be more closely compared to the ones you would find in a larger vehicle.
For the most part, modern lawn mowers are fitted with four cycle engines as they are more eco friendly. If you aren’t sure about the type of engine you have then the presence of a dipstick will tell you everything you need to know as only four stroke engines have them. The good news is that, if you do have a four stroke engine, you should be able to use any regular oil you can get from a gas station.
That said, some oils may contain additives that could affect how well the mower performs so we would still recommend double checking that the oil type you’ve chosen is suitable. Generally speaking, using an SAE 30 oil would usually be OK.
If you are using a two stroke engine then it’s really important that you use a more lightweight motor oil. You will also want to look at the APR performance rating which should be any of the following for use in a two stroke engine: SF, SG, SJ or SH.
Different Oil For Different Temperatures
As you may have started to understand by now, you need to consider the external temperature when choosing a suitable Troy Bilt mower oil type. This is quite important when you have a four stroke engine.
Oils like SAE – 30 works best when the temperature is between 40 and 100 degrees. So, if you’re going to be using your lawn mower in a colder climate then you’ll likely have to switch to something like SAE 5 W 30,
It’s worth checking out the website for the engine manufacturer as they will normally provide information on the best motor oil for their products. Briggs and Stratton, for example, recommend synthetic oil as this works well in a more diverse range of temperatures. Whatever you decide to use, you should remain consistent.
How Often To Check Lawn Mower Oil
When you are using a two stroke engine, you won’t need to check your mower oil. This is because it is added to the fuel and mixed together so, every time you add new fuel, you’ll add new oil.
However, when you are running a four stroke engine, the process is a little different and the oil will be put into its own reservoir. This means that you will need to regularly check to see if the level has dropped.
It’s common sense to check your mower’s engine oil before each use. This is a quick process that literally takes seconds. But making sure that there is enough will ensure that your mower runs smoothly.
How To Check The Oil On Your Troy Bilt Mower
Checking the engine oil level on your Troy Bilt lawn mower can be done by using the dipstick. These are present on four stroke engines and can be found underneath the cap that covers the oil compartment.
Make sure that the engine is not hot so it’s best to do this when it hasn’t been running for a while. If it has, give it a chance to cool down.
Take the dipstick out and wipe any oil off before reinserting it and then pulling it out to see where the oil sits. If it is low down, this tells you that you need to top it up.
How To Change Lawn Mower Oil
Changing lawn mower oil isn’t a complicated task and is something you will need to learn to do as part of your mower maintenance.
You’ll first need to check the oil levels as detailed above and, if they are low, find a suitable Troy Bilt lawn mower oil type.
Once you have this, you can use a funnel to direct the oil into the tank, making sure not to go past the maximum fill point.
Run your mower for a few minutes after replacing the cap and then switch it off and check the oil levels again. If everything has remained the same, this tells you there are no leaks and you can use the mower as normal.
Final Verdict
Without engine oil, the internal parts of your lawn mower engine will not be properly lubricated. This can cause a whole host of problems so it’s a good idea to regularly check the oil and top it up as needed.
If you own a Troy Bilt lawn mower then you may have wondered what type of oil you should use. This depends on the type of engine that your mower has and who manufactured it. You’ll also need to think about the temperature you’ll operate your mower at in order to choose the best Troy Bilt lawn mower oil type.
