Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

After last weekends snow storm in which my new Ariens 11528le performed flawlessly, I am now thinking about doing the breakin oil change, and was wondering should I use a regular or synthetic oil?  What would a synthetic do for me?  I am in the habit of changing the oil in my snowblower and running her dry at the end of each season, and have been doing so since I was 10yrs old.

Any advice would be appreciated, because I am not familiar with synthetic oils, but seem to see them mentioned her a lot.

I went with 0W-30 Mobil 1 for my Ariens after the initial 2 hours. I don't know the stats in regards to synthetic vs. regular oils, but synthetics supposedly are better over the long haul for severe conditions. I use regular oil in my other OPEs and just make sure I change it according to the manual, especially the tillers. 

Short answer is that synthetic has a wider temperature range and doesn't thicken as much as some dino oils so the machine may be easier to start in extreme cold.

Service recommendations are online at: http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/BSI.pdf

I've always used a semi synthetic (synthetic blend) 5w30 in my snowthrowers.  I haven't had any troubles with my other machines as far as engines go.

Some say that using synthetics will cause oil consumption but I haven't seen this so far.

My feeling is that a synthetic is a total waste of money for a thrower that is stored in a relatively warm garage. The small difference in flow characteristics at 35 degrees of a synthetic vs a regular dyno oil isn't worth the added expense. Once running and warm, a synthetic doesn't provide much extra protection in these mildly stressed engines.

OTH, a machine that is a cold-soaked 15 degrees at startup would definitely benefit from a synthetic oil.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Check your owner's manual. The one for my B&S  Snow Intek says to use synthetic. I also have a habit of leaving the beast outside during the winter, under a cover. Sometimes in -30-40C weather.
( -40C = -40F = friggin cold or in Canadian "Crispy Eh!" ) so the previous comment abotut using synthetic in "adverse" conditions applies.

If you go here

http://www.ariens.com/customer_service/order_owners_manuals/

you can download or order a manual.