I just now bought a new lawnmower. I got a Troy-Bilt with a Honda built engine.
The new lawnmower came with 20 ounces of 10W-30 oil called Arnold-a brand I had never heard of before. I used that oil with the idea that it would be a good break-in oil. Where I live the elevation is 4700 feet and gasoline comes in 85 octane, 87 octane, and one other octane number. It says in the owner's manual that 86 octane gasoline should be used. I used 85 octane because supposedly at higher elevation you don't need as much octane.
So, is it better to use SJ rated oil like what is recommended in the Honda engine manual (the lawnmower came with two manuals-one for the engine and one for the lawnmower)? In the Honda engine manual it says that 10W30 oil is recommended for 'general use' and 30 weight can be used in warmer temperature. SH or SJ rated engine oil is recommended. I assume the SH and SJ rated oil is recommended because of more antiwear additive. I can get Briggs & Stratton 10W30 SJ rated oil. But I would like to use maybe 10W30 Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum. If I do use the car & truck engine oil should I add some antiwear additive? Which antiwear additive? Maybe add some Valoline Engine Oil Supplement?
I can't get exactly 86 octane gasoline. I can get 85 octane or 87 octane. Which is better to use?
The new lawnmower came with 20 ounces of 10W-30 oil called Arnold-a brand I had never heard of before. I used that oil with the idea that it would be a good break-in oil. Where I live the elevation is 4700 feet and gasoline comes in 85 octane, 87 octane, and one other octane number. It says in the owner's manual that 86 octane gasoline should be used. I used 85 octane because supposedly at higher elevation you don't need as much octane.
So, is it better to use SJ rated oil like what is recommended in the Honda engine manual (the lawnmower came with two manuals-one for the engine and one for the lawnmower)? In the Honda engine manual it says that 10W30 oil is recommended for 'general use' and 30 weight can be used in warmer temperature. SH or SJ rated engine oil is recommended. I assume the SH and SJ rated oil is recommended because of more antiwear additive. I can get Briggs & Stratton 10W30 SJ rated oil. But I would like to use maybe 10W30 Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum. If I do use the car & truck engine oil should I add some antiwear additive? Which antiwear additive? Maybe add some Valoline Engine Oil Supplement?
I can't get exactly 86 octane gasoline. I can get 85 octane or 87 octane. Which is better to use?