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How Much Oil to get a Honda 6.5 Mower?

January 21, 2015

When you’re keeping the 6.5-horsepower motor on your Honda push mower, it’s important to be aware of how much oil to add. Honda’s four-stroke, air-cooled motor has an oil reservoir, eliminating the need to mix the oil with the gas to soften the engine. Although that makes caring for the mower simpler, it’s important to keep the correct level of oil to prevent damaging the motor.

Engine Type Determines Capacity

Honda’s HRX collection of push mowers, including models HRX217HXA, HRX217HMA and HRX217TDA, are equipped with Honda’s GCV190 engine. This 6.5-horsepower engine carries 0.58 quarts of oil (18.6 ounces) and does not have an oil filter. For normal operating circumstances, the manufacturer recommends using an SAE 10W-30 weight oil with an American Petroleum Institute (API) evaluation of SJ or afterwards. After the first break-in period, Honda recommends changing the oil every 50 hours of usage in these types of models.

Match Weight to Requirements

Under normal operating circumstances, where the atmosphere temperature is between 0 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Honda recommends utilizing SAE 10W-30 oil. If you plan on using your mower for long lengths of time in temperatures above 90 degrees, however, use SAE 30 to reduce internal wear. For temperatures 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, use thinner SAE 5W-30 weight oil. Honda engines require four-stroke automotive detergent oil. Honda warns that utilizing nondetergent oil within its 6.5-horsepower engines leads to faster wear of internal components, and use of two-cycle oil results in damage to the motor.

Use the ideal API Rating

Motor oils carry an American Petroleum Institute, or API, rating. These ratings, stamped on the oil container, certify that the oil in the container meets specific lubrication requirements determined by motor manufacturers and lubricant makers. Rating examples are SJ, SM or SN. The oil API rating for the Honda 6.5-horsepower mower is recorded in the operator’s manual. As newer, slicker oils have been developed, they have been given distinct API ratings and eventually replace older API kinds of oils. If the rating on your operator’s manual is no longer accessible, the American Petroleum Institute states that, “the newest API (rating) contains the operation properties of each earlier class and can be employed to support older engines where earlier category oils have been recommended”

Change the Oil

Maintain the motor on your Honda mower by changing the oil regularly. The GCV190 engine is not equipped with a drain plug. When changing the oil, the engine should continue to be warm. Remove the oil fill cap, then switch off the fuel valve and confirm the gas cap is tight so gasoline won’t spill out. Tilt the mower to the right side, dumping the used motor oil from the fill hole and into a container approved for motor oil. Following the oil has drained, right the mower and refill the engine with clean oil. Permit the mower to sit for a few minutes so oil can can settle down into the motor, then check the oil level. Wipe any oil spillage in the mower housing and dispose of the used oil in a recycling facility which accepts hazardous waste.