For a gasoline-powered lawn mower to run smoothly, the engine cannot function without fresh oil. Choosing the right type of oil is just as important as the procedure. This guide explains how to properly refill your lawn mower with oil.
How do I properly refill the oil in my lawnmower?
To properly fill the lawnmower with oil, first identify the engine type (2-stroke or 4-stroke). Use commercially available 2-stroke oil for 2-stroke engines or SAE 30 lawn mower oil for 4-stroke engines. Check the oil level when the engine is cold and add the oil using a funnel to just below the maximum mark.
2-stroke or 4-stroke engine? – Tips for the right lawnmower oil
Modern lawn mower models usually have a 4-stroke engine. Here the gasoline is burned, while the oil remains in the engine to lubricate various components. Lawn mowers with 2-stroke engines are rarely found. In these types, gasoline and oil burn together, with the engine oil being mixed with the gasoline via a separate tank. In 2-stroke engines it is sometimes necessary to fill the engine oil directly into the petrol tank.
The decision for the right engine oil therefore depends on which engine drives your lawnmower. You can refill any commercially available 2-stroke oil into a 2-stroke engine. For 4-stroke lawnmowers, you should ideally use special lawnmower oil (€8.00 on Amazon) with the SAE 30 classification.
Refill oil in the lawn mower - this is how it works
Checking the oil level when the engine is cold will give you the most accurate reading. Since it is far from necessary to refill fresh oil before every lawn mowing, determine the actual need in advance. Too little engine oil is just as detrimental to your petrol mower as an oil level that is too high. How to do it right:
- Look for the cap for the oil filler on the crankcase
- Pull out the oil dipstick and wipe it with a cloth
- Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out to read the oil level
- Using a funnel, add fresh oil to just below the maximum mark
Various lawnmower models do not have an integrated oil dipstick. In this case, unscrew the cap and take a look inside the tank. You can use a top-up line to see how much engine oil needs to be topped up. It is important to note that the oil level is never below the minimum mark or above the maximum mark.
If you have a 2-stroke lawnmower with a single tank for the petrol-oil mixture, the operating instructions will provide more information about the correct mixing ratio. Separate fuel pumps are available at gas stations with the option of adjusting the mixture, filling it into a gasoline can and filling it into the lawnmower at home.
Tip
The question of how often the oil on the lawnmower needs to be changed is often a headache for gardeners. As a rule of thumb, it has proven useful in practice to change the oil at intervals of 25 operating hours. If you drive in a new lawn mower, the first oil change is scheduled after just 5 hours of operation.