Oil Requirements for a Honda Generator
by Paul Novak
Honda generators provide portable power for a wide variety of applications. They allow homeowners to provide power for their important appliances in emergency situations, and contractors use them on job sites to power tools and machinery. Like all gasoline-powered equipment, Honda generators require regular maintenance. Following the recommended oil requirements will ensure reliable and long-lasting operation.
Oil specifications
Honda generators that operate with a 4-cycle engine require a 4-stroke motor oil that is rated API service class SJ or a later equivalent. 10-W-30 is the standard all-temperature motor oil recommended by Honda for its generators. Different viscosities may be used if local average temperatures warrant it. The appropriate viscosity in such situations can be determined from the generator's service manual. Honda requires oils that contain detergents and states that nondetergent oils are not to be used in its generators.
Frequency of oil changes
Oil changes for Honda generators follow a regular schedule after an initial break-in period of operation. Oil should be changed after the first month or 20 hours of use. After that, oil changes should be performed every 6 months or every 50 hours of operation, whichever comes first. If the generator is going to be stored for a year or more, the oil should be changed prior to storage.
Oil Level
Oil capacity for Honda generators varies according to the size and model of the generator. Oil should be checked prior to each use of the generator. If the oil is low it should be filled with the appropriate type of oil up to the level of the filler neck.
Writer Bio
Paul Novak is a freelance writer specializing in Web content creation. He has owned his own business for seven years, and has for 10 years written on a variety of subjects from politics to the paranormal. His articles critical of paranormal claims have appeared in "Xproject" magazine and "Ufoevidence."
