Re: mtd mower oil question
You're supposed to change the oil?
I use what ever is left over from my last oil change... sometimes it's extra oil from the boat... sometimes it's extra oil from my truck. 8 years later and the mower is still running strong. Most guys never change the oil and still get 10 years out of a mower. Think about it.
Some of us like to keep our machines in tip top shape so they last a lifetime and run their best, others don't. The choice is yours. You could probably get over 100,000 miles in a modern car without changing the oil too...or you could change it regularly and get 200,000 miles. An engine with superb maintainence all it's life will start easier, have more horsepower, use less fuel, make less noise, and pollute less than a neglected engine. Sure, it still starts and mows the lawn every week if you don't change the oil, but it could be running much better if you did. There is a lot more to an engine than it runs or it doesn't. The question is how well do you want it to run?
It is also important to realize current production engines from any manufacturer are much less tolerant of neglect than the old B&S flatheads that run forever, thanks to the EPA sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.
And, BTW, the "leftover" oil most people have laying around is 10w30, which is exactly what you should be using.