Originally Posted By: JTK
IMO, 10w30 or SAE30 continues to be recommended after all these years because it's a simple recognizable engine oil that will offer an acceptable range of protection for the engine. To me, it keeps on keeping on for marketing purposes.
Those who even read the labels of $199 mowers might shy away from a particular model if it recommended "exotic" 15w40, 5w40 or 20w50. Your average homeowner doesn't know those oils exist .
I think that sae30 oil is so popular due to..
A) it sheares less then other oils...especially monograde variant
B) it is common (ex) CAFE grade (5w30...10w30...)
C) most probably.....because many OPE engines have splash lubrication...and plain bearings...and therfore they "need" loeer viscosity oils...
IMO, 10w30 or SAE30 continues to be recommended after all these years because it's a simple recognizable engine oil that will offer an acceptable range of protection for the engine. To me, it keeps on keeping on for marketing purposes.
Those who even read the labels of $199 mowers might shy away from a particular model if it recommended "exotic" 15w40, 5w40 or 20w50. Your average homeowner doesn't know those oils exist .
I think that sae30 oil is so popular due to..
A) it sheares less then other oils...especially monograde variant
B) it is common (ex) CAFE grade (5w30...10w30...)
C) most probably.....because many OPE engines have splash lubrication...and plain bearings...and therfore they "need" loeer viscosity oils...