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High-quality oil for snow blowers helps keep your gas snow blower in peak condition, making starting and running it easier and smoother so you can clear wet winter weather quickly. However, knowing which oil type is best for your machine can be a
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
Runner-Up
Briggs & Stratton Synthetic Small Engine Motor Oil
Amazon(2-pack) orBriggs & Stratton.
Best Bang for the Buck
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil
Briggs & Stratton 5W-30 Low-Temp Small Engine Oil
Best for 2-Cycle Engines
Klotz TechniPlate 2-Stroke Snowmobile Oil
<p><strong>Get the Klotz oil for snow blowers at</strong> Amazon.
Most Versatile
Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil
Amazon,Lowe’s,Tractor Supply Co.(1 quart), orThe Home Depot(1 quart).
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Oils for Snow Blowers
To provide shoppers with a list of top picks for snow thrower and snow blower oils, we primarily considered oil type and viscosity.
Oil type:Synthetic oil is the best choice for snow blower motors because it can handle lower temperatures and resist breakdown better than conventional oil.
Viscosity:Our recommendations are all variations of 5W-30, which is the ideal oil viscosity for snow blowers. The products we selected include budget-difference between a snow blower not starting because it has a gummed-up engine and one that kicks on without issue. Ahead, learn how viscosity, snow blower oil type, and other factors affect engine performance in a snow blower.
Gas-powered snow blowers use 4-cycle engine oil, a type of oil for snow blower engines that uses separate tanks for gas and oil, much like car engines. The gas fuels the engine, while the oil lubricates it.
Smaller engines, such as those on chainsaws, have 2-cycle engines. This type of small engine uses an oil and gas mixture that goes into one tank. Don’t use 2-cycle engine oil in a snow blower, as it will not properly lubricate the engine and will damage it. The motors on electric snow blowers don’t require engine oil.
Identifying the right type of engine oil is easy. The oil container has “4-cycle” or “2-cycle” clearly printed on the label. Although some 4-cycle engine oils are labeled for “small engines,” they are actually the same oil commonly used in cars and trucks.
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil. Higher viscosity oil is better at protecting and lubricating engines at high temperatures and peak load (high RPMs). Oil with a low viscosity remains thinner at lower temperatures, promoting better flow through the engine, making it easier to start and more efficient to run.
Viscosity is based on a scale created by SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Motor oil has two viscosity ratings:
- The first rating—the “W” (for “winter”) after the number—represents the cold temperature viscosity. For example, an oil rated 5W flows better at lower temperatures than a 10W oil.
- The second number indicates the high-temperature viscosity. For example, an oil with a high-temperature viscosity of 30 stays thicker at higher temperatures.
Since snow blowers operate exclusively in cold weather, they typically use SAE 5W-30 weight oil, which ensures the engine will start at low temperatures. Make sure to check the maintenance section of your operating manual for the proper snow blower oil weight for your machine.
Synthetic vs. Standard
Not all 5W-30 engine oils are the same. Some engine oils are synthetic, which means they use higher-quality base oils than conventional oils. Synthetic lubricants can generally withstand higher temperatures and resist breakdown better. This means synthetic oil in a snow blower will last at least 50 percent longer than conventional oil, so you’ll probably need to perform less frequent snow blower maintenance.
Many synthetic oils also contain additives to help improve engine performance and extend engine life. Additives include detergents that flush grime and buildup and chemicals that coat engine parts to enhance lubrication.
For these reasons, synthetic oils are generally more expensive, often costing several times more than conventional oils. Still, proper maintenance of a quality snow blower will likely run you less than the cost of snow removal if you live in an area with relatively frequent snowfalls.
Versatility
The 4-cycle engine oil that snow blowers use is the same oil used in any 4-cycle engine, which means it’s also an appropriate oil for lawn mowers, power washers, and even cars and trucks. 5W-30 oil provides adequate protection during both cold and warm weather.
Engine oil generally comes in 1-quart bottles, which is ideal for snow blowers since they hold about that much. It also comes in 5-quart containers and large, multi-gallon drums, but since its shelf life is generally around 5 years, it’s important not to buy more than you need. To store 5W-30 oil, keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dry environment.
Even though you now know a fair bit about oil for snow blowers, you may still have additional questions. For details on deciding which type of oil in a snow blower is best to use and how often to replace it, read answers to some frequently asked questions below.
Q. Can I use synthetic oil in my snow blower?
Yes, synthetic options are likely the best oils for snow blowers. Synthetic oils are refined to run cleaner, leaving fewer deposits in the engine. Many also include additives that clean grime and sludge from the engine to improve performance.
Q. Can I use car oil in my snow blower?
Yes. Snow blowers, like cars, are 4-cycle engines, so they use the same type of motor oil. Use a motor oil weight with a low-temperature viscosity rating, such as 5W-30, since snow blowers must run during cold weather.
Q. How do I know which oil is the right one for my snow blower?
Snow blowers operate in frigid temperatures, so the most important factor to consider is viscosity. Use motor oil with a low-temperature viscosity rating, such as 5W-30, to ensure the snow blower starts easily and runs smoothly.
Q. What happens if I put too much oil in my snow blower?
Adding too much oil to a snow blower, or any 4-cycle engine, will cause the oil to rise and come in contact with other moving parts around the engine, aerating the oil and creating a huge mess.
Q. How often should I change my snow blower oil?
According to Chris Urato, owner-operator of
<p>If you have a gas snow blower, you can give it 2 to 5 minutes before use so oil has time to run through the engine and lubricate it. If you have a battery-powered blower, there’s no need to let it warm up. </p></div>”>
