21″ 3-in-1 Mower

Lawn mower oil type recommendations
Different oil types can work best at certain temperatures. Learn which one to choose for your climate.

• SAE 30– Warmer temperatures, most common oil for small engines.
• SAE 10W-30– Varying temperature range, this grade of oil improves cold-weather starting, but may increase oil consumption.
• Synthetic SAE 5W-30– Best protection at all temperatures as well as improved starting with less oil consumption.
• SAE 5W-30– Very cold temperatures.
• Vanguard 15W-50– Varying temperature range. For continuous-use, such as commercial lawn cutting or pressure washing.

When choosing lawn mower oil, use a high-quality detergent oil classified as “For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ” or higher. Do not use special additives.

Synthetic oils are an acceptable oil at all temperatures. The use of synthetic oil does not alter required oil change intervals.

Lawn mower oil capacity
Walk-behind mowers: 

• Oil capacity is typically 15oz or 18oz*.

Change engine oil every 50 hours or annually, which ever comes first.

Can you use synthetic lawn mower oil?

• Yes! We have modified our engine oil recommendations to state that you may now use a synthetic 5W30 (100074WEB) or 10W30 oil in all temperature ranges.
• Engine break-in procedures using synthetic oil remain the same. Keep in mind that the use of synthetic oil does not prevent you from performing your regularly scheduled lawn mower maintenance (i.e. check oil, change oil, etc.).

How to check your oil level?

1. Remove the dipstick cap, apply some pressure and twist counter clockwise.
2. Remove dipstick and wipe with a clean rag so reading will be accurate.
3. Before reinstalling the dipstick, make sure the teeth on the cap match the grooves on the dipstick tube.
4. Apply some pressure and twist clockwise to reinstall dipstick cap.
5. Remove the cap again and view oil level towards the bottom of the dipstick blade.
6. Oil level should be between the full and add marks.
7. If oil level is low, pour a few ounces at a time to avoid overfilling.
8. Allow enough time for the oil to settle before rechecking the oil level.

Small Engine Won’t Start or Runs Poorly

Determine why your small engine won’t start by checking your fuel levels, spark plug, carburetor, valve & compression levels and more. Follow along to troubleshoot and learn when it’s best to service your engine.

Is your fuel fresh?

Stale, untreated gas begins to break down after about a month. Drain the gas from your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment, and then replace with fresh gas and fuel stabilizer to extend the life of your fuel.

Your fuel needs to be stored in a suitable container and treated with fuel stabilizer to be sure it doesn’t go stale. Stale fuel, dirt, and debris are the most common cause of outdoor power equipment not starting or running properly. If you store equipment with untreated gas in the tank, it can lead to engine damage.

Is your oil fresh?

Check your oil level and appearance every time you use your engine while it is cold. Your oil typically needs to be changed each season or after every 25 hours of use

Is your Carburetor clean?

The carburetor regulates how air and fuel move through the engine. A dirty carburetor can cause poor engine performance or starting problems

Is your Spark Plug faulty?

Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won’t start. For small engines, spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use.

You should also check to make sure the spark plug gap is set correctly. An improper spark plug gap could lead to engine knocking and poor performance.

Are you having Ignition problems?

If your spark plugs look good, problems with your ignition system can also be preventing a spark.

These problems can range from a faulty spark plug lead, shorted kill switch or damage to the flywheel.

Is your Engine’s Exhaust smoking?

If the engine is emitting white or blue smoke, this means your engine is burning oil.

If the engine in emitting black smoke, this could mean that the air filter is dirty, the fuel could have gone bad, and/or the carburetor is flooded. Start by checking your air filter, if it looks okay, move onto replacing the gas. If the problem continues, refer to the following for cleaning/replacing your Carburetor

Valves & Compression System

Air-fuel compression is crucial to engines powering lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment.

If there isn’t proper valve clearance or there’s a leak, this can cause compression problems that keep an engine from starting. You can perform a compression system with a leak down tester. If you don’t have one of these, we recommend visiting a service center.

CAUTION! Be sure to use the right spark plug. Although several different spark plugs may screw into the engine, using the incorrect one will result in performance problems and possible internal engine damage.

Should I leave fuel stored in my unit?
No, fuel should not be stored in the unit. It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in the fuel system. If the unit is to be stored for longer than 30 days — drain the fuel tank, retighten the gas cap, start the unit and let it run until it stops