chorusguy 227 #1 Posted January 21, 2016 Ok, need some expert advice here. We are supposed to get foul weather here this weekend. (I know, who isn't?), I am in central North Carolina. Though we probably won't get enough accumulation to have any fun with, the snow blade is in place and ready to go. Temperatures will be in the 30-34 degree range. The oil recommendations are for SAE 30 at freezing and above, and 10w30 below freezing. So, do I need to do a quick oil change tonight? I currently have 30 weight in the tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362 #2 Posted January 21, 2016 I use 30 weight year round 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,778 #3 Posted January 21, 2016 You should be ok at strait 30w with those "mild" temps. Start getting below freezing (20 - 30's) I would switch to a winter weight. I run 5w-30 synthetic in my winter workers but then again I had to start one a couple of days ago when it was -12! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #4 Posted January 21, 2016 I run 30W oil year round and have done so for 30 years. Haven't had any issues. Tractors are in an unheated garage. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #7 Posted January 21, 2016 48 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: I use 30 weight year round Me too....My tractors are in my unheated pole barn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #8 Posted January 21, 2016 I run 30w all year because I'm too lazy or too busy or the times I wish I had changed to 10w or 5w-30 weren't that often. I have read the engines without filters run straight weights but Kawasaki recommends for my 20 horse: 10W-30 or 10W-40 Above 0°F (-18°C) 5W-20 or 5W-30 Below 32° F (0° C) My Kohler notes: Straight 30-weight (Kohler Magnum) oil is preferred.above 32°F (0°C). Synthetic oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is acceptable,up to 4°C (40°F). Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below -23°C (-10°F). Last year was brutally cold but I don't remember engines not starting but I don't run all of them all winter. If I do start changing for winter I'll be using regular 10w30. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil854 130 #9 Posted January 21, 2016 I use Valvoline 30w all year never had a problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #10 Posted January 22, 2016 Back in the day, (60's ) my local mower shop gave me 10W Chevron for the winter.. Maybe that's why I went thru so many Tecky's! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russellmc301 600 #11 Posted January 22, 2016 well i just keep it sae 30 all year because all i do is plow 10 times or less and never had any problems with oil i just coke her harder and she starts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #12 Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, squonk said: Back in the day, (60's ) my local mower shop gave me 10W Chevron for the winter.. Maybe that's why I went thru so many Tecky's! That, and all that yankin' on the governor you did. Edited January 22, 2016 by AMC RULES 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #13 Posted January 22, 2016 Trouble with winters up here near the border is you never know what temp it's going to be and I'm not changing the oil as often as the weather changes! Nearly 70 degrees this last Christmas Eve and last year's January seldom got above 0 and was often below, sometimes quite below! Be my luck I'd change to a winter grade and then have to plow snow all during a early March thaw at 60 degrees! Or I'd forget to change it and use it all summer! Memory ain't gettin' no better! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,655 #14 Posted January 22, 2016 Kendall GT30 before they sold out know BradPenn 30 . Never ever Pennsoil , could always tell when somebody used it , the inside of the motors looked like crude oil! IMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #15 Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) When ('64-'68) in the Motor Pool 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, 30w (was only Texaco) rear round. Use 30w in my Horses year round. Horses are resting in my barn, maintained 50 degrees during the cold winter. Oil is checked before starting almost every time the Horse is going out to "play". Sons and I have hugged Horses for almost 40 years, now the grandsons have taken up the PM (preventative maintenance) chores. If the boys walk past a Stallion they pet its nose and say, "Good Horsey. Thanks for helpin' us today." PS. Sometime ago, delivered gear lube to UPS shops. UPS only uses Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic in their gear boxes. Their extensive maintenance records proved the equipment lasted three (3) times longer when using synthetic gear lube. How often is gear lube changed? Not often. I use Mobil 1 in my Horses. Edited January 22, 2016 by Tankman 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
