Oil for winter?

[Methos]

Originally Posted by scleve

I use straight 30 wt. year round, which is what kohler recommends.

Originally Posted by Matt G.

That's only true if it doesn't freeze where you live...

I use 30 wt year round and I'm north of Scott. Keep in mind that I keep my cubs in my unheated garage.

Best thing to do is read your engine manual and do what Kohler recommends.

[Matt G.]

Originally Posted by Methos

Best thing to do is read your engine manual and do what Kohler recommends.

...Which is to use multi-weight oil below 32 degrees F...not sure what manual you guys are using. Or are you saying it never freezes where you are?

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Does it ever get below 32 in NC. LOL

[Donovan M.]

Me and Kelly are up here in the winter. My cubs are not in a heated garage. my 100 had a little problem last year in the winter. but the battery was getting old. I run 30w in mine all year round mine starts just fine just needs a charger boost.

[Methos]

Originally Posted by Matt G.

...Which is to use multi-weight oil below 32 degrees F...not sure what manual you guys are using. Or are you saying it never freezes where you are?

Matt I use Shell Rotella SAE 30 wt. It doesn't get below 45 in my garage. Your going to love the winters in KS!

Originally Posted by cubs-n-bxrs

Does it ever get below 32 in NC. LOL

Kelly it does but not for long!

[juniors1282]

The book says SAE 30 preferred. I don't know about where you guys live but around here one day it's 45* the next day 25*. It's like that for two months in the spring and two months in the fall. If I had to change oil because of the weather all I would do is change oil. I run SAE 30 year round and have never had a problem. Your problem isn't from oil it's from cranking amps.

[ACecil]

I also use 30 wt year round.

[Matt G.]

Personally, I use Rotella 15W-40 in my year-round tractors, as it's thin enough for the winter, yet won't increase the oil consumption in the summer months. The ones that get used sit in an insulated garage at my parents' place that rarely gets below 25 F in the winter.

You need to be using multi-weight below 32 F or you are going to wear out your engine prematurely. I read somewhere that for air-cooled aircraft engines (essentially the same tech as a K-series Kohler) that a cold start with the wrong weight oil does roughly the equivalent of 2-3 hours of normal wear. It's your tractor to do as you please with, but the manual says what it does for a reason.