Alternative oils for Briggs & Stratton SAE 30 for Intek V-Twin 656cc 20.2 Hp

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Okay, perhaps I took the name of this thread too literally ... "The Good Oil" [bigwhistle]

What alternative engine oils would suit my Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin 656 cc 20.2 horsepower motor fitted in my MTD ride-on manufactured either 2013 or 2014.

According to this website ... accessed 19th November 2025 Briggs & Stratton SAE30 Oil - 4 Litre – Small Engine Warehouse Australia (https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com.au/products/briggs-stratton-sae30-oil-4-litre), it is

"A high quality detergent oil classified SJ/CD by the API"

Whoever, or whatever the 'SJ/CD by the API' initials stand for?

Oh and my posting here to find out more about oils is that I can remember the Castrol ads on TV... "Oils ain't' Oils, Sol!" So, that does breed a degree of caution when making oil selections. This one was amongst their best ads ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcDbqQOcZps

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Being the inquisitive type, i sought out some answers to my own questions about what the acronyms mean for "detergent oil classified SJ/CD by the APIAPI refers to the American Petroleum Institute detergent oil classified SJ/CD by the API

"S" – Spark ignition (Gasoline, Propane, CNG)

SJ = 1997 SJ may be used where API Service Classifications SH ... to link this to something that might have some degree of meaning ...
SH = 1994 provides improved control of engine deposits, oxidation and engine wear relative to oils developed for previous categories. Oils meeting API Service Classification SH may be used to replace SG, SG/CC, SF, SF/CC and SE are recommended. (obsolete) and earlier have been recommended.

CD FOR DIESEL ENGINE SERVICE 1955 Service typical of certain naturally aspirated, turbocharged or supercharged
diesel engines where highly effective control of wear and deposits is vital, or when using fuels of a wide quality range including high sulfur fuels. Oils provide protection from bearing corrosion and from high-temperature deposits in these diesel engines.

The information was sourced on 19th November 2025 from,


Just a moment... (https://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/128140/Re-oil-letters)
Just a moment... (https://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/13058/Oil-Letters-Like-SJ-SH-etc-What-Do-They-Mean)


Oh, yes, I am still looking for advice about what oil to replace the Briggs & Stratton SAE 30. Thank you!


Kind regards
Lionel

[BradC]

I use Penrite HPR5 in all my small engines because I buy it in 20L tubs for the D3.

This should tell you most of what you need to know as far as specs go :

Knowledge Centre | Penrite Oil (https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Specifications/194/What-are-ILSAC,-API-&-ACEA-engine-oil-specifications/216)

[gromit]

Almost any straight 30 oil should be OK.

Multigrades aren't suitable for some engine designs.
Typical problem with old motorcycles is the roller bearing big end breaks down the long-chain molecules so a 20-50 slowly becomes a 20-40 then a 20-30 then a straight 20 !
So monogrades are the go, not sure about your B&S engine.

There may be better grades than SJ/CD which shouldn't cause any problems.

Contact the Technical helpline at any of the oil companies or there may be an online reference.
I was after a straight 40 for an old motorcycle, Shell recommended a Garden 30 oil. The reason was that there are tolerances that the grades have to meet and their Garden 30 was almost 40 !


Colin