Finding the perfect oil for your Kohler engine is essential, as it requires a unique type of oil distinct from what trucks and lorries use. Here are the 5 best oils for Kohler engines that you can rely on:
- Valvoline 881161 SAE Synthetic Motor Oil
- Mobil 1 120765 Synthetic Motor Oil
- Castrol 159BF4 03057 Synthetic Motor Oil
- Briggs and Stratton 100028 Engine Oil
- Kohler 25 357 06-S Motor Oil
To know all the details about the best oil for Kohler engines, continue reading the entire article.
Key Takeaways
- If you seek a versatile synthetic motor oil with a variety of quantities and broad viscosity support, Valvoline 881161 SAE Synthetic Motor Oil is the right choice.
- For those in search of synthetic motor oil with a wide viscosity range, Mobil 1 120765 is the ideal choice for optimal engine performance.
- If you prefer synthetic motor oil offering flexibility with three viscosity options and the choice of 1, 5, or 24-quart sizes, Castrol 159BF4 03057 is the perfect solution.
Best Oil for Kohler Engines: Quick Overview
Let’s go through the main features of the best oils for Kohler engines.
| Oil Name | Features | Price |
| Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology | Variety of quantity and supports a wide range of viscosity | |
| Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Supports 0W-20 viscosity | |
| Castrol GTX MAGNATEC Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Supports 3 different viscosity, Options for 1,5, and 24-quart sizes | |
| Briggs and Stratton 100028 Engine Oil | Budget-friendly, supports SAE 30 viscosity | |
| Kohler 25 357 06-S Motor Oil | Supports high temperature |
Best Oil for Kohler Engines: Detailed Discussion
Before going through the detailed discussion of the best oils for Kohler engines, let’s see the recommended oil types you should choose.
Recommended Oil Types for Kohler Engines
Various oil types are suitable for Kohler engines, but the manufacturer recommends using their preferred fuel line for optimal performance. Based on the engine temperature, you need to choose the oil.
The following table highlights which type of temperature a particular oil is suitable for.
| Temperature | Oil Type |
| Warmer temperatures | SAE 30 |
| Varying temperature | SAE 10W-30 |
| Very cold temperature | SAE 5W-30 |
| Best for all temperatures | Synthetic SAE 5W-30 |
Now that you have a clear idea about different types of oil suitable for your Kohler engines, you can have a better idea of why we chose these oils.
You can trust our choice because our researchers have compared these products with thousands of similar products in the market.
So, if you are intrigued then let’s start the journey:
01. Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology
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At the very beginning of our list for the best Kohler engine oil, we have Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology. This one surely got a lot of praise from us and that’s because of its variation in both size and viscosity.
But that’s not all it has to offer. It surely has more in store-
However, let’s revert back a bit. You see, the sizes available for this product are a good option. You see, this gives you the freedom to choose between 1 and 5 quarts.
Most of the Kohler engines require about 1 quart of oil. So, if you want just enough for one-time use then buy this size. However, if you have a bigger lawn mower you can store up on oil by buying a 5 quart-sized oil.
Now, as for the viscosity, you’ll also have choices with this one. There are quite a few that you won’t get from most of the products on our list. This range includes 10W-30, 10W-40, 5W-30, 20W-50, and 5W-20.
Other than this, the Valvoline oil has auto-wear additives. These are actually enhanced. Plus, they work to form a condensed & long-lasting layer of anti-wear film. Guess what? This even works to ensure that the engine doesn’t automatically break down.
Moreover, you don’t have to worry about spillage or leaks. That’s because the product is tightly sealed in its bottle.
Adding to this, it also has detergents added to it. Now, we know that this might sound funny but this actually works to protect against sludge and deposits. So, your lawnmower’s engine will not slow down while working.
At the very end, we’d like to point out that this engine lasts for 75,00 miles. So, even if you take out your lawnmower for a spin in broad daylight it won’t wear out too easily.
Pros:
- Available in 1 and 5-quart options
- Offers a range of viscosities
- Auto-Wear Additives
- Includes seal conditioners to prevent oil leaks
- Anti-OxidantsFriction Reducing Agents
- Designed with an easy pour spout for convenient and clean pouring.
- Offers a 225,000-mile engine guarantee
Cons:
- The large product dimensions may be inconvenient for storage, especially for the 5-quart option.
- While suitable for Kohler engines, it’s essential to ensure compatibility with other engine types.
Pro Tip: While maintaining your lawn, you may also want to know the difference between Buffalo grass and Bermuda grass.
02. Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil
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This oil’s specialty is that it has the lowest viscosity of all the oils on the list. If you were looking for an oil with 0W-20 viscosity then this is the one for you.
However, that’s not what has to show on the table. It also has other viscosity amounts available too. For instance- 10W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-40. Now, we will recommend that you go for 10w-30 for Kohler engines.
But the choice is really yours. You see, viscosity changes with temperature so it all boils down to where you live.
Other than that, it comes in 5 quart-sized bottles. So, you can rest assured that you’ll have enough oil for your little lawnmower. In fact, you just might have a bit too much to spare.
However, don’t throw them away. You can use them later when changing the oil.
But why did this oil land second place?
Well, the mileage covered by this oil is only 20,000 miles. So, its mileage covered is a bit lower than the winner. But if you can compromise a bit, it’s not too bad at the end of the day. It’ll still make your lawnmower go quite the way.
But like the first one, this oil also helps prevent deposits and sludge build-up. Hence, your Kohler engine gets to enjoy a long lifetime. This oil also works to enhance the engine life. They do so by protecting the engine from cold weather.
Lastly, we’d like to add that this oil helps to resist oil breakdown. This does so by reducing the oxidation quantity.
Pros:
- Versatile Viscosity Options
- 5 Quart Size
- Prevents Deposits and Sludge
- Enhances Engine Life
- Resistance to Oil Breakdown
Cons:
- Limited Mileage Coverage
- May Require More Frequent Changes
03. Castrol GTX MAGNATEC Full Synthetic Motor Oil
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Castrol is a pretty reputed brand name in the oil industry. And this particular oil’s specialty is the various size options.
You see, if you go with this product you can get 1,5, and 24 Quart sizes. Now, we know that some of you here are very particular about the sizes. Some people don’t want to waste the excess oil by letting them sit in the garage.
While others want a big size to store up for further use. No matter what you want, with this oil, you get the option.
However, we have to tell you that we mostly recommend oils that have 10W-30 viscosity. That said, this oil only offers 5W-20, 5W-30. From here we recommend that you use the 5W-30 viscosity one.
This one is more suitable for places with lower temperatures. Let’s say you live in a place that stays cold most of the time. During those times you need an oil that can tolerate the low temperatures.
But, why? Well, this is because at low temperatures the viscosity increases. So, if the temperature is low enough it’ll work as great as the 10W-30 ones.
As for its other features, it can smoothen your lawnmower. Ensuring that it travels quite efficiently in your backyard.
At the same time, it also reduces engine wear with time. So, you can trust the engines to be running for a long time.
Pros:
- Available in 1, 5, and 24-quart sizes
- Cold Weather Suitability
- Efficient Lubrication
- Reduced Engine Wear
Cons:
- Limited Viscosity Options
- Not Ideal for High Temperatures
- The item weight of 29.2 pounds may be considered heavy for some users
- The 24-quart size may be excessive for users with smaller engines, leading to unused portions
Pro Tip: You should also know the pros and cons of dethatching while doing lawn maintenance work.
04. Briggs and Stratton 100028 Engine Oil
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Briggs & Stratton 100028 Engine Oil is the most budget-friendly oil on the list. However, that doesn’t mean that this oil doesn’t offer much. It surely does. Let’s see what it offers-
First of all, it’s the only SAE 30 viscosity oil on our list. Now, if you are wondering, yes there is a difference between 10w-30 and the SAE 30.
Some suit the SAE 30. While others don’t prefer it. You see, this oil can withstand higher temperatures thanks to this viscosity. But it isn’t that effective against low temperatures.
Thus, if you live in a place where the weather is a tad bit hot then this oil is the one for you. This one’s viscosity can make it bear the high temperature.
Also, like the other ones, this oil also works to keep the engine life up and running. So, your lawnmower can have a healthier and longer life in your sweet little garden.
Besides, it’s a synthetic oil that works perfectly with Kohler engines. We always recommend you use synthetic oil because it keeps the small engines going really well.
Pros:
- Budget-Friendly
- High-Temperature Tolerance
- Engine Life Maintenance
- Being synthetic, it is designed for optimal performance
- Suitable for Hot Weather
Cons:
- Limited Viscosity Option
- Not Ideal for Cold Weather
- Limited Size Options
05. Kohler 25 357 06-S 25 357 06-S Motor Oil
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Finally, we have the Kohler 25 357 06-S 25 357 06-S Motor Oil. Now, this was our last choice but remember this oil did beat all the others in the market. And besides, we love it because it comes in a pack of 3. So, you can buy a bunch at a time.
However, that’s not all it has in store for us-
First of all, let’s talk about viscosity. Now, we know that this product doesn’t offer many options for viscosity. However, it comes in 10W-30 viscosity. And that’s the perfect viscosity for small engines like Kohlers.
At the same time, you see, these small engines don’t require much oil. 1 Quart is enough for the lawnmower that works in your garden. Besides, if you want you can always buy 3 at once for much longer usage.
Besides this, the Kohler 25 357 06-S 25 357 06-S motor oil can tolerate up to 204 degrees Celsius. And that’s quite a high temperature.
Thus, if you were planning to make your lawnmower work on hot summer days then this is the one. The sun won’t be able to make it stop working.
Pros:
- Convenient packaging
- Offers 10W-30 viscosity
- Sufficient for Small Engines.
- High-Temperature Tolerance
Cons:
- Limited Viscosity Options
- Not Ideal for Cold Weather
- May Require Frequent Purchases
Oil for Kohler Engine – Buying Guide
Woah, that was a lot of talk about oils. But are you still confused about what to look for?
Well, then maybe we can help you. In this section, we’re going to discuss all the primary things you should know about before buying oil for your Kohler engines. So, let’s get to it.
Viscosity:
The first crucial aspect of engine oil is its viscosity. Now, what is the viscosity of oil?
Well, the viscosity of the oil is the measure of how easy it is to pour the oil at a certain temperature. In simple terms, viscosity is the thickness of the oil. Have you ever seen any oil that runs quite easily because they are things?
That happens because their viscosity is quite low. Other than that, the thicker the oil the more viscous it is. As for the engine oils, they are measured with W. This stands for winter.
You’ll see that most of the viscosity is given by 5W-30. The number 5 represents the maximum viscosity of the oil at low temperatures. Now, the lower the number the better its performance at lower temperatures.
On the other hand, 30 in 5W-30 represents how much the oil must fall within a certain viscosity limit, at 100 degrees Celsius. So, if this number is lower it’ll be much thinner.
As for the Kohler engine, we recommend you buy an oil that has 10W-30 viscosity. They work great on the most premium Kohler engines such as Command, Command Pro, CS, Courage, Aegis, and Triad OHC engines.
Temperature:
Now, we know that we gave you one specific viscosity. However, you need to note that this viscosity is only meant for temperatures higher than 32 F.
So, if you lie in a place where the temperature is higher than 32 F then this is the oil for you. However, this is for the engines that were mentioned earlier.
Now, if you have a K-Series or Magnum engine you can use the SAE-30W oil. They work on these Kohler engines at a temperature above 32 F.
At the same time, you can also use SAE 30 for non-K series engines if the temperature is higher than 50 F.
Amount of Oil:
Another thing to note is the amount of oil you’ll need. Now, this completely depends on how long you run your engines. But to have an estimation you should know how much the Kohler engines can store.
Well, to be fair there are different types of engines for various purposes. So, they have different limited capacities.
Now, most of the Kohler engines require 1 to 3 quarts of oil. So, you need to buy a sufficient amount of oil so that you can reuse the oils every time it runs out.
Types of Oil:
Now, there are different types of oil available in the market. Some are pure oil while others are a blend. But our target is to figure out which one’s the best for Kohler engines.
Well, the best one is synthetic oil. Now, you’ll find that all the products mentioned in our list are synthetic oil. So, you can pick any and they will be suitable for your Kohler engine.
Additives in the Oil:
Lastly, look out for additives. Most of the oils use different additives to make the oil reduce friction. However, this affects the engine in the long run.
They can be quite harmful to the engine over a span of time. But they do not show any major signs of despair if used in small amounts. However, they are still not recommended.
How Does Temperature Affect Viscosity Of Oil?
No matter what oil you end up buying, the temperature will have an effect on the oil. So, it’s nice to know how the temperature can affect the viscosity of the oil.
Firstly, let’s discuss what viscosity actually means. You see, viscosity is the resistance to flow in any sort of liquid. In other words, it is kind of like the friction of the liquid world.
So, if the oil’s viscosity is lower it’ll flow more easily. And if the viscosity is higher, the oil will be thicker and it’ll flow less.
Now, this viscosity changes with temperature. You see if the temperature increases then the viscosity decreases. And vice versa. In other words, the viscosity of oil and temperature have an inverse relationship.
But you should note that different oil is affected at a different rate by the temperature. So, the oil you might pick may have a different change in its flow because of its chemical properties.
How Frequently Do Kohler Engines Need to be Oiled?
The Lawnmower engine needs a refreshment of oil every now and then. Otherwise, the engines will keep on burning the dirty oil. And in no time it’ll go bad.
So, how do you properly maintain your Kohler engine?
Well, you need to replace the oil filter every twice a year. And for the oil, we recommend that you change them after every 50 hours of usage.
This way, the lawnmower will stay healthy and will run for ages at a time.
Are Synthetic Oils Good For Kohler Engines?
Yes, you can use synthetic oil in Kohler engines, and it may even be preferable for some models. However, it’s crucial to consult the owner’s manual for specific oil recommendations tailored to your engine type.
Synthetic oil is crafted with a specialized synthetic base and additives, offering enhanced performance and protection for small engines like those in Kohler equipment.
This choice can contribute to an extended lifespan for your machinery and is well-suited for various temperature conditions.
When transitioning to synthetic oil, ensure you stick to the recommended viscosity and always adhere to the manufacturer’s or owner’s manual guidelines for oil change intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What Happens If You Don’t Change The Oil In The Kohler Engine?
Answer: Now, if you decide to not change the oil in the Kohler engine then the oil will start to get dirty. And the engine will run at that state. This will cause the engines to wear out. Plus, once the oil runs out the engine will be dry.
Is Sae 30 The Same As 10w30?
Answer: Well, SAE 30 and SAE 10W-30 are the same at a very high temperature. However, at normal temperature 10W30 has 10W viscosity /thickness and SAE 30 viscosity at high temperatures. In other words, they are not the same.
Is There A Difference Between Small Engine Oil And Car Oil?
There are several differences between small engine oil and car oil. For instance- the level of zinc varies between both the oils. Kohler engines contain higher zinc levels than car oils.
Closing Words
Well, that sums up our topic for the day: best oil for Kohler engine. Now, remember folks, the key thing is to ensure that the oil is synthetic and not your regular standard oil.
And as long as the viscosity range is right, you should be good to go. Anyway, we wish you the best of luck with your engines. See you again. Toodles!
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