Motor oil is the lifeblood of the engine as it keeps things well lubricated. Oil also plays an important role of heat dissipation and can therefore not be ignored for proper engine operation. For most generators you will find yourself using the same oil for your car. Most synthetic 10W-30 oils are good for your generator. In this review, we show you some of the best oils for your predator 3,500 generator.
Best oil for predator 3,500 generator – Comparison table
Model | Key Properties | Price |
|---|---|---|
Fortified with additives | ||
Improved oxidation protection | ||
Special titanium technology | ||
Made from natural gas | ||
Improved friction modifiers | ||
Protection against sludge |
Reviews of Best oil for predator 3,500 generator
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w-30
- Mobil 1 High Mileage full-synthetic motor oil 10W-30 is designed for engines with over 75,000 miles to go up...
- Utilizes Mobil 1’s signature Triple Action Formula to deliver outstanding engine performance, protection,...
- Meets ILSAC GF-6 standards to help provide low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear protection...
- Provides excellent internal engine heat protection (up to 500 degrees F) and low temperature protection (to...
- Mobil 1 is specially formulated to help remove sludge and lower engine temperatures
The Mobil 1 is a full synthetic oil that is mostly used for high mileage cars that have done more than 75,000 miles but can work great for your generator. The oil is made from a proprietary blend of high performance base stocks that are also fortified with additives for extra engine protection.
The oil will protect your engine from premature wear while keeping it well lubricated. The engine oil has being designed to meet some of the toughest industry oil standards. Due to its active cleaning agents the oil will leave your engine clean. It also contains seal conditioners that help prevent leaks.
The oil comes with outstanding oxidation and thermal stability. The Mobil 1 has meet stringent requirements for low speed pre-ignition and thus can help in timing chain wear protection. The oil not only helps keep the engine clean but also prevents sludge formation.
The Mobil 1 offers exceptional viscosity even under high heat conditions of 500 degrees F and extremely low temperatures of -40 degrees F.
What we liked:
- Protection against low-speed pre-ignition
- Provides excellent internal heat protection
- Helps extend protect engine by removing sludge
- Fortified additives for superior engine protection
What we did not like:
Lack of variety for packaging containers
Rotella T5 10w -30
- Synthetic blend 15W-40 diesel engine oil with Triple Protection Plus technology protects against wear,...
- Ideal for on-highway fleets, construction, and agricultural machinery, and diesel pickup trucks — including...
- Improves low-temperature flow (compared to conventional 15W-40 oils)
- Helps control engine deposits for reliability at extended oil drain intervals (always follow the OEM...
- Controls engine wear 37 percent better than the maximum wear requirements in API CK-4 engine wear tests
This diesel engine oil is marketed to offer triple protection plus as it is made from synthetic base oils that is supplemented with an advanced additive technology. This helps protect engines from wear and removes any deposits. The oil when compared to others is capable of improved oxidation protection even under extreme conditions.
It also offers extended drainage capabilities while offering extended drain capabilities. Shell is a reputable oil company renowned for producing world class products. The Rotella brand is a robust engine oil that performs up to 37% better than max wear requirements demanded by the API CK-4 tests. This engine oil is recommended for many 4cc engine generators.
What we liked:
- Offers superior oxidation protection even under extreme weather conditions
- Extended drain capabilities
- Delivers up to 44% better engine protection against wear
- Leads to fuel economy
What we liked:
Lack of storage container variety
Castrol 03084 EDGE 5w 40
- 3X stronger against viscosity breakdown than leading full synthetic, based on Kurt Orbahn test in 5W-30 grade
- 10X better high temperature performance, as measured in Sequence IIIH engine test vs. API SP test limit
- 6X better wear protection
- 1.4X better sludge protection, as measured in Sequence VH engine test vs. API SP test limit
- Meets ILSAC GF-6 to prevent low speed pre ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear protection
The Castrol EDGE is a premium synthetic motor oil that is rated as one of the best in the market. The oil handles well under extreme weather conditions hence making it ideal for your generator. It works wonders in reducing moving parts friction in your generator thus reducing heat accumulation. The oil has being certified by various regulatory authorities including A5/B5, API SN, and ACEA A1/B1. Part of Castrol EDGE excellent performance is its use of a special titanium technology that impacts how oil reacts under extreme temperatures.
The oil offers protection against wear and sludge protection. The oil is designed in such a way that it provides 10x better protection against high temperatures than other engine oils. With a superior oil you are capable of protecting your engine from loss of performance by up to 10%. The engine oil transforms its structure under extreme stress and this helps keep metal parts apart.
What we liked:
- 6x better wear protection
- 10x better high temperature protection
- Improves engine performance
- Made from special titanium technology that allows it retain its structure
What we did not like:
A bit expensive
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum full synthetic oil
- Full synthetic 5W-20 engine oil made from natural gas, not crude, using Pennzoil's patented gas-to-liquid...
- No other leading motor oil provides better wear protection for your engine (Based on Sequence IVA wear test...
- Helps protect engines from loss of power and provides better fuel economy—drive on average an extra 550...
- Keeps pistons dramatically cleaner than required by the toughest industry standards (Based on ILSAC GF-6 and...
- Delivers unsurpassed sludge protection to help keep high-performance and luxury car engines as close as...
Pennzoil is a brand we would recommend for those who are going to be using their generators in cold weather. The Pennzoil ultra-platinum full synthetic oil is ideal meant to handle low temperatures of up to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pennzoil oil is made from 100% synthetic oil and this enables it to better clean your pistons and offer better fuel economy. The oil is capable of offering an extra layer of protection against premature wear. The oil is highly recommended for portable generators.
The oil is available as a single-pack, and 5-quart. The oil is made from natural gas not crude and features Pennzoil patented PurePlus technology. The oil keeps your pistons cleaner than industry standards like the ILSAC GF-6. It also offers superior sludge protection for high performance engines. The single 5 quarts container comes with an ergonomical design ideal for carrying and pouring.
What we liked:
- Offers superior sludge protection
- Handles quite well in cold temperatures
- Made from natural gas
- Offers an extra layer of protection for movable parts
What we did not like:
Lacks container variety
Shaeffer 9003D-012S Supreme 9000
- Strong cold weather startup protection.
- Improves engine durability without affecting fuel economy.
- Keeps engines cleaner: minimal sludge, soot and carbon buildup.
- Friction modified with Micron Moly and Penetro to reduce friction, wear and scuffing.
- Resists thinning at high temperatures.
This is another oil brand you can try out for your generator – especially if you are operating it under extreme cold weather conditions. The oil has being blended with friction modifiers and this enables it to offer better protection that other oils in the market.
You should check out the manual in your generator before selecting a motor oil. The Shaeffer has being certified by organizations like the GM dexos-1, resource conserving, API service classification SN Plus and ILSAC GF-5.
The Supreme 9000 full synthetic oil 5w-30 is capable of providing extra protection especially in cases of stop and go conditions. This are very common when you are operating a generator. The oil is made from the finest quality synthetic base oils and then supplemented with a special performance additive. This helps give the oil the right viscosity while also keeping your engine super clean. The oil can withstand high temperatures without losing its viscosity.
The Shaeffer oil uses special friction modifiers like penetron and moly that quickly plates metal surfaces. This prevents metal to metal contact hence reducing cases of friction thus reduce heat in the engine. The oil will also leave your engine free from sludge hence keeping it super clean.
What we liked:
- Special proprietary friction modifiers
- Works even under extreme cold temperatures
- Helps reduce valve train wear and timing chain
- Improved engine durability
- Thermal and oxidation durability
What we did not like:
The brand is not well known
Generac Full synthetic 5w 30 Motor oil
- Generac SYNTHETIC OEM Oil (1 Quart)
- Protects against the formation of sludge & varnish deposits
- High quality synthetic base fortified w/ an advanced additive
- Maximum protection against viscosity breakdown
Last on our list is a product from Generac. The brand is well known in the generator industry in the American market. The motor oil is a great choice for use in your Predator 3,500 generator due to the fact it can operate in a number of extreme weather conditions like subzero and tropical heats. The motor oil is fully certified so, you do not need to worry about quality standards.
The motor oil is available in a 32 fluid ounce bottle and it is established to offer superior cleaning against varnish deposits and sludge. The oil is also highly fortified with advanced additives that offer advanced engine protection and cleaning.
What we liked:
- Highly recommended for generators
- Ensures your engine runs smoothly
- Eliminates sludge formation
- Comes fortified with additives
- Certified by relevant authorities
What we did not like:
- Not very well known
Buying Guide for Best oil for predator 3,500 generator
Your generator will most probably use the same synthetic oil as your car. For most generators this happens to be the synthetic 5w 30 variety. Motor oil is vital for your generator as it helps keep all things well lubricated and washes away the sludge found in the engine. The oil will also keep help in heat dissipation by moving heat from the engine into the oil pan. Here are some key factors you should be considering when purchasing motor oil.
Check the generator manual
This is the first place you should go for information in regards to the right motor oil to use. Most of the portable generators come with a user guide that shows you how you should maintain your generator. The manual section features some of the spare types you should go for during maintenance. If you have lost yours you can find some of these information on the generators website.
Engine type
The next thing you should put into consideration is the generator type. There are usually two varieties – two and four cycle engines with the four cycle being the most popular. A closer inspection of most of the four cycle engines will reveal that they often use the SAE 5w-30 or SAE 10w 30. This is the synthetic variations. The predator 3,500 is a 212 four stroke OHV engine and will do well with the above oil types.
Check the viscosity of the oil
The oil viscosity determines the operating temperature of the oil. This shows you its resistance in various temperatures like extreme cold or hot. The first letter in motor oils starts with the letter W and denotes its viscosity in winter conditions. The second number is for hot weather. Overall, you should go for higher second numbers as it means the oil remains thick even under hot weather conditions. This enables the oil to continuously keep your engine well lubricated. If you are going to be using your generator in cold conditions then you need to keep a close eye on the first number. This is why SAE 5w 30 is an excellent choice as it factors both weather extremes.
Get oil from reputable brands
There is a lot of competition in the motor oil market and as such you need to be careful where you purchase your oil. Oil brands with a long history of supplying petroleum products tend to be the best as they have also being certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Some of these brands include Shell, Castrol, Shaeffer, Mobil among others.
Type of motor oil
In your search for the right motor oil for your generator you will confronted with two main types of oil – conventional and synthetic. The conventional oil is the standard oil you find for everyday use. It is also called the standard oil. The oil is mostly used for applications with low mileage. The greatest benefit for the conventional oil is that it is pocket-friendly. But, it may not be the best option for high-performance engines. The next most common type of engine oil is the synthetic oil which is of a higher quality and comes with additives. The latter are special compounds added to oil to make it better by offering better protection against wear and sludge. Synthetic oils cost more than the conventional oils. For your Predator generator it would be recommended you go for the synthetic type.
Conclusion
The predator 3,500 generator is an excellent portable generator that you can attach to your RV or use it at home during blackouts. The best oil for this generator is the SAE 10w 30. While there are many brands that you can use for your generator the general consensus among Predator 3,500 owners is the Castrol 03084 EDGE 5w 40. The oil offers superior protection against sludge formation due to its special titanium technology. This is a synthetic oil so you are assured of its quality. Castrol is also a reputable brand known for superior oil products.
FAQ
Can I use my motor oil for my generator?
It will depend on what type of oil your car is using. You will need to confirm first with your generator manual to find out whether your car oil is compatible with the generator
Who certifies Motor oils?
There are several motor oil certifications from across the world including SAE and ASCI. You will find the ratings on the motor oil container
