Kohler command engine oil

[Charles in Aus.]

I have an old John Deere STX38 ride on mower with a Kohler 398cc engine .
Manufacturer's oil is twice the price as from the auto shop .
Can anyone please let me know what grade of oil suits this engine ?
Manual is useless , other information I have on the engine is that it is 13hp , model no. CV13S-21509 , with a 8.9 to 1 compression ratio .

 

[ztrmowers]

any straight thirty weight be fine or 10w30 what always has been run in them from this shop

 

[Steve@Advance]

Does it call for JD Plus 4 oil?

Found this, says it's API SL service, 10w-30 weight.

That is just automotive SL gas engine oil.

The API SL rating means: S is for spark ignition engines, L is the latest spec. The designation always goes up the order of the alphabet, so you can go with a higher letter rating, but not a lower.

If it was mine, it would get 15w-40 diesel oil, but your choice.
JD Plus 4

 

[Iowawill]

I have used 30 weight in mine since I got it in the 90s(I think). Still running.

 

[JWA]

I've always run 15-40 diesel oil in all mine.

 

[Duner Wi]

I have a STX38 and Kohler manual says 10W 30 for temps 0F to 100F.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Thanks all

I was wrong John Deere oil is four times the price down here !
Now I am not limited to buying from the dealership I won't wince so hard when it's oil change time .

 

[Bob in Australia]

Charles

We have several Kohler engines on augers etc. We use a good 10W/30 on them and on all small air cooled engines (mainly Honda; have over 20 of them on pumps,
compressors, generators etc. Have a few Japanese Honda clones plus some Chondas)

Always like your posts; especially on Fergusons

 

[Charles in Aus.]

It's so good to be able to get real advice from men who know by doing Bob .
I use 10w30 in my Honda engines , mainly generators and hand mowers so keeping more of the same grade on hand is really convenient . John Deere Aust really do themselves no favours by marking up the price of consumables and parts so highly.
Some advice I can share on this Kohler engine , there are two oil filters available and listed for this engine , both fit and look identical BUT one will not allow oil flow when screwed down onto the mount . Examine any filter you get and make sure that the secondary outlet in the filter head corresponds with a hole in the filter . I will.try get photos next week to explain further .

 

[dpendzic]

are you asking about motor oil weight or api grade?

 

[David G]

I run 10W-30 Mobil one in all my air cooled engines, that was a suggestion from John T.

 

[KCTractors]

Mobil 1- 10 w 30 in all my small engines, including the Honda generators.

 

[Jon Erickson]

You have the correct and best answer, I think.