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For shoppers who live in an area that receives frequent heavy snows, a snow blower is an invaluable tool for clearing your driveway or walk—but only if it’s running properly.
A high-quality motor oil can help keep a snow blower in peak condition, making it easier to start while helping it run smoothly. However, knowing which oil type is best for each type of use can be a challenge. The best-performing oil flows easily through a snowblower engine, even in the coldest temperatures, without leaving deposits and grime that can make the snow blower challenging to start.
This guide shares the features that make a motor or car oil best for a snow blower and includes some of the best oil options on the market for snow blower maintenance.
- BEST OVERALL: Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
- RUNNER-UP: Briggs & Stratton Synthetic Small Engine Motor Oil
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil
- BEST FOR SMALL ENGINES: Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30 Snow Thrower 4-Cycle Oil
- BEST FOR 2-CYCLE ENGINES: Klotz Snowmobile Techniplate Premix/Injector Oil
- MOST VERSATILE: Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil
How We Chose the Best Oils for Snow Blower Maintenance
To provide shoppers with a list of top picks for snow thrower and snowblower oils, we looked at a range of reputable oil brands that produce products that are suitable to use in cold conditions. Factors taken into consideration during our research include:
Oil type: We found that synthetic oil is the best choice for use in snow blower motors since it can handle lower temperatures better. Plus, it resists breakdown more easily compared to conventional oils.
Viscosity: Our recommendations all feature the ideal oil viscosity for use in snow blowers, which are all variations of 5W-30. We made sure to include options that meet this specific requirement while also satisfying a range of budgets. Some shoppers may prefer a budget-friendly option for occasional snow blower use in the winter, while others may be looking for a more heavy-duty option, which comes at a slightly higher price point. Both ends of this spectrum are represented in our top picks.
Finally, most of these options are versatile enough for use in other home and garden equipment and are suitable for both cold and hot weather conditions.
Our Top Picks
These top picks feature 5W-30 motor oils that are specially formulated for cold weather use as well as some other options depending on the intended use. While many of these oils feature additives that help keep snowblower engines free of harmful dirt and deposits, any of these products will help keep an engine running smoothly.
Best Overall
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
Seasonal machines, such as snow blowers, may sit idle for months before their services are needed, providing time for impurities and gunk to build up in the engine. Pennzoil’s Platinum synthetic motor oil is a clear 5W-30 oil that’s made from natural gas. It washes dirt and deposits out of the snowblower engine as it passes through, helping to extend the life of the machine while ensuring that it will start when the next snowfall arrives. It can keep the engine up to 45 percent cleaner than standard oils.
Handles on the top and bottom of the bottle allow for accurate pouring. Pennzoil Platinum, which comes in 1-quart, 5-quart, or 55-gallon bottles, is also a good option for changing the oil in the car.
Product Specs
- Volume: 1 quart (comes in more sizes)
- Configuration: 5W-30
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Great versatility; suitable for both snow blowers and car engines
- Easy-pour bottle includes 2 handles for extra control
- This high-quality oil can protect for long periods of time
Cons
- Oil losses can occur when put under intense heat or friction
Get the Pennzoil oil for snow blowers at Amazon or The Home Depot (5-quart).
Runner-Up
Briggs u0026 Stratton Synthetic Small Engine Motor Oil
This Briggs & Stratton oil is well suited for snow blowers. This 5W-30 weight oil makes an engine easier to start in extreme cold while minimizing oil consumption.
It’s a synthetic oil, which means it stays thinner at lower temperatures than standard oil and lasts longer than conventional oils. This oil is rated to last up to 5,000 hours in a snow blower. The 32-ounce bottle comes with convenient measurements on the side that allow the user to see exactly how much snowblower oil is left in the bottle.
With a high-temperature viscosity rating of 30, this oil is a good option for other 4-cycle small engines that operate in hot temperatures, including lawn mowers.
Product Specs
- Volume: 32 fluid ounces
- Configuration: 5W-30
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Helps maintain a clean engine for long periods
- Suitable for use in other garden equipment, in addition to snow blowers
- Allows the snow blower to start more smoothly
Cons
- Quite expensive considering the smaller-size bottle
Get the Briggs & Stratton synthetic oil for snow blowers at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil
Valvoline 5W-30 weight motor oil is a synthetic formula with additives that provide 50 percent more wear protection than standard motor oils. The included detergents flush sludge and harmful deposits from the engine, which is significant for small 4-cycle engines that are used only when it snows.
The snowblower oil’s low cold operating viscosity is ideal for snow blowers, while its 30-weight high-temperature viscosity rating makes it suitable for warm weather machines, such as a lawn mower. This Valvoline product comes in a 1-quart bottle, but a 5-quart bottle with a pour spout is available.
Product Specs
- Volume: 1 quart
- Configuration: 5W-30
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Helps prevent buildup of dirt in the engine and provides excellent wear protection
- Slightly more budget-friendly compared to similar competitors
- Configured specifically to operate well in cold conditions; great for snow blowers
Cons
- Bottle may leak if stored—or delivered—incorrectly
Get the Valvoline oil for snow blowers at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Tractor Supply Co.
Best for Small Engines
Briggs u0026 Stratton SAE 5W-30 Snow Thrower 4-Cycle Oil
With a 5W rating, this Briggs & Stratton engine oil, which is from one of the best-known names in small engines, is specially formulated for small engines that must operate in cold temperatures below 50 degrees. This makes it ideal for snow blowers.
This synthetic formula comes in a 1-quart container, and it features a handy gauge on the side that allows the user to see how much oil is left in the bottle. In addition to operating well at low temperatures, the oil has a high-temperature viscosity of 30, making it suitable for use in warmer weather motors such as power washers or lawn mowers.
Product Specs
- Volume: 32 fluid ounces
- Configuration: 5W-30
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Ideal for machines that work in cold temperatures
- Reputable brand known for high-quality products
- Specially suited for smaller engines like snow blowers
Cons
- Quite pricey compared to similar products
Get the Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle oil for snow blowers at Amazon or Briggs & Stratton.
Best for 2-Cycle Engines
Klotz Snowmobile Techniplate Premix/Injector Oil
Made for cold temperatures as low as -39 degrees Fahrenheit, the Klotz Snowmobile Techniplate Premix/Injector oil can be used with 2-cycle engines like ATVs, motorcycles, race cars, and, of course, snow blowers. This clean-burning quart of synthetic formula is TC-W3 certified and ISO-EGD compliant for reliability and efficiency while improving the throttle response and preventing plug fouling. Finally, this brand recommends using this product with Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, Polaris, and Yamaha machines or C-TEC and E-TEC engines.
Product Specs
- Volume: 128 fluid ounces
- Configuration: TC-W3
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Made for cold weatheras low as -39 degrees Fahrenheit; suitable for multiple vehicles and machines
- Reliable option; clean burning, TC-W3-certified, and ISO-EGD compliant for engine protection
- Prevents machines from eroding or malfunctioning; extends engine life
Cons
- Some users have reported poor packaging and leaks
Get the Klotz oil for snow blowers at Amazon.
Most Versatile
Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil
With technology designed to protect the engine and improve performance, this 5W-30 Castrol GTX Magnatec motor oil features Castrol’s sludge and wear protection additive. This technology prevents buildup in engines, extending the life of engines both large and small. It also makes it easier to get a pull-start engine up and running.
This motor oil is designed to protect the engine during start-up when the oil hasn’t circulated through the engine parts, leaving them vulnerable. This oil quickly coats the engine parts to provide protection immediately after the engine is started. This blend also features the optimal 5W oil rating for winter use and a 30 high-temperature viscosity rating for hot weather.
Product Specs
- Volume: 5 quarts
- Configuration: 5W-30
- Type: Synthetic
Pros
- Designed to provide immediate engine protection on startup
- Can last for extended periods and still look clean
- Suitable for both cold and hot weather conditions
Cons
- Bottle shape may be quite awkward to fill a small snow blower
Get the Castrol oil for snow blowers at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Oil for a Snow Blower
The right maintenance engine oil can make the difference between a snow blower that starts right up and one that’s sidelined with a gummed-up engine. Ahead, learn how viscosity, oil type, and other factors affect engine oil performance in a snow blower.
Type
Gas-powered snow blowers use 4-cycle engine oil, which is oil for engines that use separate tanks for gas and oil, much like a car engine. The gas fuels the engine, while the oil lubricates it, each from its own tank. Smaller engines, such as those on a chainsaw, have a 2-cycle engine. This type of small engine uses an oil and gas mixture that goes into one tank.
Identifying the right type of engine oil is easy. The oil container has “4-cycle” or “2-cycle” clearly printed on the label. Although some 4-cycle engine oils are labeled for “small engines,” it’s actually the same oil commonly used in cars and trucks.
Don’t use 2-cycle engine oil in a snow blower, as it will not properly lubricate the engine and will damage it. The motors on electric snow blowers don’t require engine oil.
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil. Higher viscosity oil is better at protecting and lubricating the engine when operating at high temperatures and at peak load (high RPMs). Oil with a low viscosity remains thinner at lower temperatures, promoting better flow through the engine, making it easier to start and more efficient to run.
Viscosity is based on a scale created by SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Motor oil has two viscosity ratings:
- The first rating—the “W” (for “winter”) after the number—represents the cold temperature viscosity. For example, an oil rated 5W flows better at lower temperatures than a 10W oil.
- The second number indicates the high-temperature viscosity; for example, an oil with a high-temperature viscosity of 30 stays thicker at higher temperatures.
Since snow blowers operate exclusively in cold weather, they typically use SAE 5W-30 weight oil, which ensures the engine will start in cold weather. Make sure to check the maintenance section of the snow blower’s operating manual for the proper oil weight.
Synthetic vs. Standard
Not all 5W-30 engine oils are the same. Some engine oils are synthetic, which means they use higher quality base oils than conventional oils. Synthetic oils can generally withstand higher temperatures and resist breakdown better. This means synthetic oil lasts at least 50 percent longer than conventional oil, so the snow blower probably will require less-frequent maintenance.
Many synthetic oils also contain additives to help improve engine performance. Additives include detergents that flush grime and buildup from the engine parts, which helps extend engine life, and chemicals that enhance lubrication. Other additives leave a coating on the engine parts. Synthetic oils are generally more expensive, often costing several times more than conventional oils.
Versatility
The 4-cycle engine oil that snow blowers use is the same oil used in any 4-cycle engine, which means it also can be used in lawn mowers, power washers, and even cars and trucks. The 5W-30 oil provides adequate protection not only during the colder months but also in warmer months, thanks to a high-temperature viscosity rating.
Engine oil generally comes in 1-quart bottles, ideal for snow blowers that hold around that much. Motor oil also comes in 5-quart containers.
With a shelf life of about five years, 5W-30 oil can be stored in the garage so it’s on hand when needed. Keep motor oil in a cool, dry environment in a tightly sealed container to prevent contamination.
FAQs
Now that you know more about oil for snow blowers, you may have additional questions. To learn about the best type of oil for your snow blower, keep reading for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about snow blower engine oil.
Q. Can I use synthetic oil in my snow blower?
Yes, synthetic oil can be used, and it may be the best oil for a snow blower. Synthetic oils are refined to run cleaner, leaving fewer deposits in the engine. Many also include additives that clean grime and sludge from the engine to improve performance.
Q. Can I use car oil in my snow blower?
Yes. Snow blowers, like cars, are 4-cycle engines, so they use the same type of motor oil. Make sure to use a motor oil weight with a low-temperature viscosity rating, such as 5W-30.
Q. How do I know which oil is the right one for my snow blower?
Snow blowers operate in frigid temperatures, so the most important factor to consider is viscosity. Use motor oil with a low-temperature viscosity rating, such as 5W-30 or 5W-20, to ensure the snow blower starts easily and runs smoothly.
Q. What happens if I put too much oil in my snow blower?
Adding too much oil to a snow blower, or any 4-cycle engine, will cause the oil to rise and come in contact with other moving parts around the engine, aerating the oil and creating a huge mess.
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