Lawnmower oil

ontwowheels, Oct 9, 5:45am
I have just been given a lawnmower (4 stroke) to hold on to and use as a friend has no use for it anymore, but doesn't want to sell it.
Unfortunatly between being in his possesion and mine he lent it to someone else who has not looked after it.
I am giving it a bit of an overhaul. Its oil is Low and dirty, so I am going to change it, do I need to use specialist mower oil or can I use some car Oil (of which I have some spare in the garage!

TIA, also any recommendations on what else i should be doing t ensure its longivity! I have new blades and am getting a new filter (which was full of water)
What do they do at a shop for a full mower service!
ontwowheels, Oct 9, 5:45am
BTW masport mower, 4 stroke briggs and stratton
robinm1, Oct 9, 5:54am
B&S motors use straight SAE30 weight oil, available from any mower shop.
hurricaneken, Oct 9, 6:08am
service at shop is, sharpen/replace blades, new spark plug, oil changed, air filter clean or replace and lube throttle cable/ adjusters etc and just a general check over i think thats about it.
ontwowheels, Oct 9, 6:17am
sweet, all stuff I am more than capable of. I will pick up some mower oil tomorrow when I get the new air filter, I have got new blades for it, and have started cleaning and lubricating everything
mrfxit, Oct 9, 6:24am
Even good ol 30/40 mineral car oil is fine for b/s engined mowers.
Been using that for many years with no problems
ontwowheels, Oct 9, 6:34am
sweet pretty sure I have some of that in the garage, will have a look tomorrow after work
ambo11, Oct 9, 6:50am
I agree, been using that too for many years with no problem at all.bodies always fall apart first.

Briggs mostly hold 600ml of oil from empty, will ether have a socket or a nut underneath to drain out.
stevo2, Oct 9, 4:18pm
Briggs recommend 600ml SAE 30 oil.
mrfxit, Dec 21, 1:55am
x1
Yep it's the "recommended" oil but it's a bit like the tyre pressure debate.

That oil is fine for flat lawns that get mowed on a regular basis.
Not NZ lawns that can be pretty steep & or fairly long from not mowing regularly

The tyre pressure sticker recommendations is fine for flat smooth roads with no camber.
Not for steep hills & roads with a hefty camber along with our coarse chip seal