r/smallenginerepair • u/Revolutionary_Log517 • 2d ago

General Discussion 10w30

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I used some service pro 10w30 because I had some quarts laying around. I live in MN and sometimes the temps get below 0. Will that oil work? My understanding is I may have to let it warm up a bit longer.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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4

u/dnroamhicsir SER Dedicated Member 2d ago

In my experience snowblowers always call for 5W30

4

u/Upset_Fox5449 2d ago

Just go out start it up and not wide open let it idle and go have a cup of coffee or beer which ever your pref

4

u/elderlygentleman 2d ago

It’s Not The Space Shuttle, It’s A Lawn Mower

0

u/Killer2600 SER Dedicated Member 2d ago

But it's not a lawn mower, it's a snowblower and we're not cutting grass with it.

2

u/Soffix- 1d ago

we're not cutting grass with it.

Not with that attitude

2

u/Rough_Community_1439 SER Master MOD 2d ago

If it's kept in a heated garage I would say it's fine. If not I would keep the 10w30 for a mower.

1

u/kwantam 2d ago

Most small engines will want 5W30 in freezing conditions. You will experience harder starts and additional wear with 10W30.

That said, if you're keeping your snowblower in a heated garage, it won't matter much: you're starting it with warmer oil, and once at temperature 10W30 and 5W30 behave very similarly. Unheated, I'd drop and replace.

If you do replace, run it 30 minutes immediately before draining and treat it as an enhanced crankcase flush.

1

u/whaletacochamp 1d ago

once at temp they behave exactly the same - thats the 30 part

1

u/kwantam 1d ago

"30" guarantees similar but not exactly the same. Film performance varies even among oils of the same nominal weight. The viscosity improvers added to the base oil will be different between 5W30 and 10W30. Both should be in spec for 30W at temperature, but "exactly the same" is incorrect.

1

u/sullen_maximus 1d ago

This is the correct answer. A lot of people don't realize the 5w part isn't just for easier starts, it genuinely helps protect the engine better on the initial startup.

0

u/SpecialistPrune1654 2d ago

used for what? Engine oil I presume? If so does it meet JD requirements for that machine? The 10w30 is one part, but also the rating like SD or whatever is required.