Change oil in new push mower after one use?

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matti

Active member
Hello. (If this post isn't a fit for this message board, please feel free to delete!)

I purchased a new Honda push mower and plan to use it for the first time this weekend to chew up leaves. This will be the only time I will use it this year. Should the oil be changed before I use the mower again next spring? (This is probably a silly question, but this is the first lawn mower I've ever purchased.)

Thank you.
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
this is one of them questions that comes down to what YOU think is needed
some folks almost never change there oil and some folks like to change it often
some folks like to change oil after use, and call it like break in oil change\ some DON"T think its needed
BOTH sides have had good long lasting motors , changing often and NOT
many folks also think condensation is a reason to change oil and some DON"T
again, both sides have done it THEER way and have had luck, and sure a few out there that didn't!

I would base this on what YOU feel needs doing, and go with it!
Oil ain't that costly, so if changing makes you feel better change it

if NOT changing it makes you happy DON"T change it LOL

one use , not needed, where stored>? is condensation a real worry, WHO know's?
again your call, do what makes you feel best! is my 2 cents here!
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
The reason they suggest to change it after one use is because of the possibility of dirt or contaminants upon assembly, and all of the moving metal parts that “break in” on the units first time of use. From storing anything for an extended period of time, there’s a high possibility of condensation. If it were me, I’d use it, wash it up and park it for the winter, and change it in the spring. That way you kill two birds with one stone.
 
gary_in_neenah

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
I would leave it. Maybe drain the gas and let the engine run until it's dry but the oil will be fine for next year. Like the man said, "do what makes you happy."
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
Oil should be changed after the first 5 hours of use, this is the period where the most wear will occur, all of the machining marks, piston ring wear and set in will end up in the oil, this will be the most critical oil change you can do but will your mower fail, blow up or wear out if you don't? likely not. This is just the time everything seats in and as said all the machining marks wear in and get into the oil. One other key note and I believe Honda's recommendation is the same but Honda did not recommend using synthetic oils in their engines, when changing the oil be sure to use a small engine oil, doesn't matter if it is Briggs, Honda, Kohler etc... as long as it is small engine oil, automotive oil no longer has zinc in it which is a wear additive, small engine oil still fortified with zinc. Automotive oil also has a much lower boil point than small engine oil. Some manufacturers have engines that they say "never have to change the oil, just add" I don't buy or follow this for one minute, change your oil, and that initial one is probably the best one you will ever do.
 
gary_in_neenah

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
And then there's this; the John Deere 30 second Oil Change. The new oil comes inside the oversized filter but it looks like you're only changing some of the oil, not all of it. No mess, fast, but pricey at 40 bucks a pop. Don't know about that one....
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
My dad bought a YardMan riding mower back in I think 1992 or 1993 - mowed the yard once with it and replaced the oil, and never changed it again. He died in 2014 so yeah, 21 years on the same oil. Can't make it up.
 
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matti

Active member
Thanks everyone! My plan is to change the oil in the spring. It seems like the risk of damage/problems is low if I don't change the oil, but it's pretty easy to do and it's cheap.

Thanks again.
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
from my experience with Honda ATV's
they too don't recommend using syn oil till after I think something like 50 hours of use, there logic seems to be, they want everything to be seated really well before you go to a better ,possibly thinner oil
but like everything else, I know folks that switch to Syn on first oil change and never have any issues with thousands of miles and hundreds of hours on there Honda's
like most things, it pretty easy to over think things like this, I also think many oil company's and marketing add's , have us TRAINED to waste good oil and buy more! along with many other things! HAHA!
 
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frnash

Active member
mrbb said:
from my experience with Honda ATV's
they too don't recommend using syn oil till after I think something like 50 hours of use, there logic seems to be, they want everything to be seated really well before you go to a better ,possibly thinner oil
but like everything else, I know folks that switch to Syn on first oil change and never have any issues with thousands of miles and hundreds of hours on there Honda's
like most things, it pretty easy to over think things like this, I also think many oil company's and marketing add's , have us TRAINED to waste good oil and buy more! along with many other things! HAHA!
Click to expand...
Engine oil is of course primarily intended to reduce friction between the various moving parts in your engine.

Super synthetic vs. "garden variety" engine oil:
I've heard it said that during the break-in period you actually do not want the very best anti-friction oil chemistry, 'cuz it's the early friction that will get the microscopic manufacturing imperfections of the various parts initially honed, polished and "well seated". At least this was true with recently overhauled aircraft engines. FWIW.
 
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swampy2

New member
Bought me a Honda HRN216 about 2 months ago. Everything about it is great all but the bagger. Changed the oil in it tonight with about 7 hours on it. I recommend changing the oil.
 
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G

Guest
mrbb said:
from my experience with Honda ATV's
they too don't recommend using syn oil till after I think something like 50 hours of use, there logic seems to be, they want everything to be seated really well before you go to a better ,possibly thinner oil
but like everything else, I know folks that switch to Syn on first oil change and never have any issues with thousands of miles and hundreds of hours on there Honda's
like most things, it pretty easy to over think things like this, I also think many oil company's and marketing add's , have us TRAINED to waste good oil and buy more! along with many other things! HAHA!
Click to expand...

I still run my pickup to the dealer every 3000 miles for an oil change. They check everything else over in addition to the oil change. They catch things like leaky seals and CV joints and other underneath stuff that I no longer want to be paying attention to. Worth it for me. Also even full synth breaks down and will burn just as good as cheap oil on an older motor.
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
grub said:
I still run my pickup to the dealer every 3000 miles for an oil change. They check everything else over in addition to the oil change. They catch things like leaky seals and CV joints and other underneath stuff that I no longer want to be paying attention to. Worth it for me. Also even full synth breaks down and will burn just as good as cheap oil on an older motor.
Click to expand...
don't get me wrong here folks, I am a guy that maybe changes oil TOO often,(been known to change oil on ATV several times a summer bases on use, not hours or miles or age), have always felt oil and grease was cheaper than motor drive train work!
, so, I wasn't suggestion I or anyone else NOT change it or the likes
I was just saying
I do think many oil company's and marketing have lad many to feel they HAVE to change oil when maybe they really don't

I have a Ram with a diesel in it, and it requires oil changed every 6 months or 15,000 miles, to NOT void the warranty on it
even if IT sits ALL yr, it still requires oil changing
which IMO< is BS, but to play the game if you wish, its part of the deal!

I cannot see how oil will go bad sitting in a truck motor past 6 months, or even when oil /motor only has a few miles or hours of use on it
But again, that's what the motor requirement is on it to KEEP warranty intact, and at the price of new motors and who know's what that warranty might be needed for, its a smaller price to pay I guess,
I however do think it might be over kill! pending use of motor!
I have managed farms where farmers have NOT changed oil for YRS and I mean 10-20+ yrs on some things and they ran flawlessly
they are braver than I am to risk things, but when you DON"T have the funding, you cut corners and some times you win, some times you get burned!
 
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eao

Active member
The Synthetic Oil Myth -- Then there is the myth that new engine break-in will not occur with synthetic oils. This one was apparently started by an aircraft engine manufacturer who put out a bulletin that said so. The fact is that Mobil 1 synthetic oil has been the factory-fill for many thousands of Corvette (and Cadillac) engines. Clearly, they have broken in quite well, and proof that the myth is just that, a myth propagated by the internet.

 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
mrbb said:
don't get me wrong here folks, I am a guy that maybe changes oil TOO often,(been known to change oil on ATV several times a summer bases on use, not hours or miles or age), have always felt oil and grease was cheaper than motor drive train work!
, so, I wasn't suggestion I or anyone else NOT change it or the likes
I was just saying
I do think many oil company's and marketing have lad many to feel they HAVE to change oil when maybe they really don't

I have a Ram with a diesel in it, and it requires oil changed every 6 months or 15,000 miles, to NOT void the warranty on it
even if IT sits ALL yr, it still requires oil changing
which IMO< is BS, but to play the game if you wish, its part of the deal!

I cannot see how oil will go bad sitting in a truck motor past 6 months, or even when oil /motor only has a few miles or hours of use on it
But again, that's what the motor requirement is on it to KEEP warranty intact, and at the price of new motors and who know's what that warranty might be needed for, its a smaller price to pay I guess,
I however do think it might be over kill! pending use of motor!
I have managed farms where farmers have NOT changed oil for YRS and I mean 10-20+ yrs on some things and they ran flawlessly
they are braver than I am to risk things, but when you DON"T have the funding, you cut corners and some times you win, some times you get burned!
Click to expand...

mrbb, agree completely, I am also one who changes all too often, I am a big fan of synthetics, with exception to non filtered small capacity systems ( just my opinion ) but vehicles, boats, sleds (injection) yes and I still change them at regular intervals not at the extended as suggested by manufacturer, waste of money?? probably, but piece of mind for me. As far as oil needing to be changed even if it sits, its my understanding that used oil can become acidic over time as it sits, not sure if that is true or not. And you hear stories and I see it in my shop as well of people who never change oil, might work for them, but not this guy, oil is cheap, failures as result of lack of lubrication generally aren't, Ill keep changing.
 
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sweeperguy

Active member
I change oil way often myself. My 17 can am Outlander had 800 miles on it when sold. I had changed the oil 5 times. It was also greased every ride it saw deep water and mud. Every two trail riding outings.
I can wrap my head around dino oil breaking down, just because of time. But synthetics I think are much more stabil. Hence the annual oils now produced by Mobil and others. I'm sure they can become acidic, from use in combustion motors, but again not as quickly as natural oils?
Probably wasting some money on excessive oil changes, but as stated. Oil is cheap compared to motor issues.
 
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