Best 5W-30 Synthetic

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Pioneer74

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I have many different small engines that will require service this spring. All call for a synthetic 5w30 that meets ILSAC GF-2 and API SJ/CF standards. (whatever that means.

Craftsman riding mower with B&S engine
Craftsman snow thrower with B&S engine
Troy-Bilt power washer with B&S engine
Craftsman push mower with B&S engine
John Deere generator with B&S engine

(never realised they were all Briggs and Stratton engines before I typed this. lol)

What is the best synthetic oil for all? Can I use a regular car 5w30 synthetic, or do all the letter abbreviations that are being called for mean a different type of oil than anything I can find at O'Reilleys or Autozone?

Thanks!
 
I use M1 10W30 in my several Mower engines. Works great. I don't have any need for cold weather lubes around here, but if I did, I'd use M1 5W30...
 
I would be running Rotella 5-40 in all but the snowblower and generator, not that it's better than Amsoil but cheap, readily available, and in big jugs.

Yes, automotive syn 5-30 does OK in a briggs as long as it's changed at a reasonable interval.
 
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Just pick one. Not to be a you-know-what, but you really can't go wrong with any synthetic 5w30 in those engines. I personally won't pay the extra for Amsoil in a B&S engine.
 
Amsoil small engine oil is what I use, their ACD is a supposed to be a good oil but I have never used it myself.

My Brother in law used Amsoil ACD in his Nordhaven Boat with a John Deere engine. He was paranoid about a multi weight shear out of grade. I would run any good synthetic oil, Amsoil, Mobil 1 etc. The best might be the Amsoil small engine oil. I have used Amsoil ASE with very good results.
 
I would run a good HDMO (diesel) for everything but the snow thrower. Many folks here recommended HDMO (costwise and good additives), vs the extra $$$ for synthetic. For the snow thrower, GC (castrol syntec 0w30) would be great. If any of those Briggs need an oil filter, the MotorCraft FL-400s is highly recommended.

In the Florida heat and humidity, I have had good luck with rotella-T (25 dollars for 2.5 gal at wal-mart) or Delvac 1300 15w40 for 10.50 a gallon. Both are cheap and highly recommended for air cooled OPE.

Dave
 
I'd use Rotella 5W-40 at the recommended 25hr interval. I don't know what the big deal is with Amsoil ASE. It's not like you should ever do an extended OCI on small engines, anyway. Now, I know there will be a bunch of people follow this post with how their engines run well with it. I'd say they also run well with sand, as evidenced by Rudolphna's experiment.

In a small engine oil, you want protection, good value, and the kind of availability that will allow you to do frequent oil changes. Rotella T is it.

Also, a big +1 to the recommendation to use the MC FL-400 filter when a filter is needed.
 
So is Rotella considered the best or just good?
Since his question is what's the best?


I would not feel bad about running a good syn in any of the engines that was mentioned. I would not run a 40W oil though.
 
I consider Rotella to be the best. My best may not be your best, and that is why we always say that the question is flawed. There is no reason to not run a 40wt. If you would run GC you're practically running a 40wt. anyway. I had intended to say in my previous post that it would shear down to a 30wt. within the first few hours.
 
Wow. Lots of information. Thanks, guys.

Looking back now, I guess my question is a bit flawed. Instead of saying what is the best 5w30 synthetic, I guess I should have asked what everybody's opinion would be as to what would be best to run in all the equipment.

The snow thrower is stored inside an attached garage that stays relatively warm so "cold" starts are not an issue. I guess with that in mind a heavier weight oil would not be bad.

I'm just looking for a readily available product that is not too expensive. Most of my manuals specify synthetic. No matter what the hours, I plan on changing the oil every spring so price is not that huge of a deal. The only problem I have with AMSOIL is that I have to have it delivered instead of going somewhere close to home to purchase.
 
I'm actually switching this year from syn 10w30's to HDEO 10w30's in all my 4stroke air cooled lawn equipment. They don't have filters so I do 2 changes over the summer. I can get a stout Shell made jug of 10w30 diesel for $10 here, which I'm sure will work well.
 
I find it hard to believe the actual call out for syn. I have never seen that as an absolute requirement.

The SJ/CF I believe, but not full syn. Just my experience as I have rebuilt a lot of B/S engines.
 
I got to thinking today. A lot of people don't believe that a synthetic is needed for this equipment. I have ran MC 5w-20 blend in all of my vehicles since new and never had a problem with them and two are high mileage.

With that in mind, what about MC 10w30 blend for my applications?
 
Originally Posted By: HondaMan
I find it hard to believe the actual call out for syn. I have never seen that as an absolute requirement.

The SJ/CF I believe, but not full syn. Just my experience as I have rebuilt a lot of B/S engines.


Believe it or not, they've been recommending it for about a decade. If you're going to run 5w30, it needs to be synthetic according to the documentation. That's about as close to an absolute requirement as you can get.

The reasons are pretty obvious - I don't really find it very surprising.
 
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
So is Rotella considered the best or just good?
Since his question is what's the best?


I would not feel bad about running a good syn in any of the engines that was mentioned. I would not run a 40W oil though.
I have ran 15w40 HDEO in the old Briggs lawnmowers and never once had any problems. I don't see what is wrong with using a 40 weight oil in them.
 
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