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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 5,136
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Small engine oil -- dumb question
My new MTD Snowblower with Techumsh 10 hp engine calls for A.P.I. Service "SL/SJ" engine oil.
The Mobil 1 in my garage is marked "A.P.I. Service SJ/CF" OK to use the Mobil 1? PS it says on the Mobil 1 container that the oil "exceeds SJ,SH/CF" but it says nothing about "SL" If I had a clue what those things mean, I probably would not have to ask this dumb question. |
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Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,481
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The grade matters more than the kind of oil here. The Mobil 1 should be fine for it. Air-cooled engines use more oil, particularly synthetic, so just keep an eye on it. 5W-30 should be good.
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 48,506
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Not a Techumseh engine here, but I've been running Mobil 1 in my small engine stuff for years. Never a problem..
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Bill is Dead.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alaska.
Posts: 9,633
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The SJ, SL, CF initials are API service ratings. They are one method of telling what a particular oil is good for.
I'm not a real fan of Advance Auto Parts, but they have a website that does a good job of explaining API service ratings. HERE This PDF is from Amsoil - another company that offers a pure synthetic oil. They also have some synthetic oils that are specifically formulated for lawn and garden type equipment. I don't think Mobil does. (?)
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 5,136
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Thanks. From the AAP site:
SL — Current — For all automotive engines presently in use. SJ — Current — For 2001 and older automotive engines. Looks like the Mobil 1 5W/30 will do the trick. The manual says to change it after 2 hours of running time, so maybe I'll look for a small engine specific Amsoil for the 1st change.
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