The Craftsman T110 is a front-engine riding mower built for residential lawns up to about 1.5 acres. It’s powered by a 17.5 HP Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder engine and uses a 42-inch reinforced stamped steel deck. The manual 7-speed transmission gives you control over ground speed.
The 18-inch turning radius lets you navigate around trees and landscaping without much hassle, making it a favorite for homeowners who also maintain engines like the Kawasaki FR691V.
The T110 takes approximately 1.3 to 1.4 quarts of oil (1.5 to 1.6 liters). You’ll want to check the dipstick and fill to the high mark without going over.
For oil type, Briggs & Stratton recommends 5W-30 synthetic for most outdoor power equipment engines. High-quality detergent oils classified SF, SG, SH, or SJ will work fine. A 10W-30 4-cycle oil is acceptable, but comparing 5w-30 vs 10w-30 shows that 5W-30 synthetic gives you better protection across temperature ranges and during cold starts.
If the engine is brand new, consider running standard oil for the first season to let everything break in properly. After that, switching to a quality synthetic makes sense for long-term protection.
Some homeowners may worry about leaks when switching to synthetic oils for the T110. But synthetic oil won’t cause leaks in its engine. The seals and gaskets in modern Briggs & Stratton engines handle synthetic formulations without issue.
Recommended Engine Oils for Craftsman T110
Here are compatible engine oils for the Craftsman T110, ranging from the OEM Briggs & Stratton to quality aftermarket alternatives that meet the engine’s requirements.
Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30
Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30
Briggs & Stratton SAE 5W-30 is the OEM full synthetic oil for air-cooled 4-cycle small engines, including the Craftsman T110. It’s formulated specifically for lawn mowers, generators, and similar outdoor power equipment.
The synthetic formulation gives you better cold-weather starting compared to conventional oils, which matters if you’re mowing early in the season or storing equipment through winter. It also burns off less during operation, so you’ll add less oil between changes.
The flash point indicates good resistance to heat breakdown during extended use. Kinematic viscosity translates to strong film strength when the engine is running at normal operating temperature. These characteristics are typical for quality synthetic 5W-30 formulations designed for small engines.
This oil is classified as non-hazardous with no special handling requirements beyond standard shop practices. No significant health or environmental risks under normal use.
You’ll find it in 18-ounce, 32-ounce, and larger containers. The 5W-30 weight works across varying climates but particularly shines in cold conditions where conventional oils thicken up.
Also compatible with:
- Other Briggs & Stratton air-cooled 4-cycle engines
- Small engine equipment requiring 5W-30 4-cycle oil
Stens Shield 5W-30 4-Cycle Engine Oil
Stens 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 5W-30
Stens Shield 5W-30 is an aftermarket equivalent for the Craftsman T110 and other air-cooled 4-cycle small engines. It’s formulated for lawn mowers, generators, and similar outdoor power equipment.
The flash point sits at 218°C, indicating good resistance to heat breakdown during extended use. Kinematic viscosity measures 62 cSt at 40°C, which translates to strong film strength when the engine is running at normal operating temperature.
Also compatible with:
- Briggs & Stratton air-cooled 4-cycle engines
- Small engine equipment requiring 5W-30 4-cycle oil
- Lawn mowers, generators, pressure washers, and similar applications
Husqvarna 4-Stroke Oil 5W-30
Husqvarna 4-Cycle 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Engine Oil
Husqvarna 4-Stroke Oil 5W-30 is a compatible aftermarket option for the Craftsman T110 and other air-cooled 4-cycle small engines. It’s a high-quality synthetic motor oil designed for snow throwers, lawn mowers, small tractors, and similar outdoor power equipment.
The synthetic formulation excels in cold weather conditions. The pour point of -43°C means it maintains flow even in harsh winter temperatures. This matters if you’re storing equipment outdoors or starting it up early in the season.
The oil meets API SN and ILSAC GF-5 specifications, which are the industry standards for modern small engine protection.
Also compatible with:
- Husqvarna snow throwers (primary application)
- Air-cooled and water-cooled 4-stroke lawn mowers
- Small tractors, rotary hoes, and tool carriers
- Engines requiring API SN and ILSAC GF-5 specifications
Toro 4-Cycle 5W-30 Engine Oil
Toro 4-Cycle 5W-30 Engine Oil
Toro 4-Cycle 5W-30 is a compatible aftermarket option for the Craftsman T110 and other air-cooled 4-cycle small engines. It’s a synthetic winter-grade lubricant designed specifically for cold-weather use in snow throwers and lawn mowers.
The synthetic formulation resists breaking down under heat while maintaining flow in extreme cold. The SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade works across varying climates but excels in cold conditions where conventional oils thicken up. It protects against wear during cold starts and extends engine life by maintaining stable viscosity throughout the operating range.
Also compatible with:
- Toro snow throwers (primary application)
- Air-cooled 4-cycle Toro engines
- Small engines requiring SAE 5W-30 in winter conditions
STP Premium Small Engine Oil SAE 10W-30
STP Premium Small Engine Oil SAE 10W-30 32 oz
STP Premium Small Engine Oil SAE 10W-30 is a compatible aftermarket option for the Craftsman T110 and other air-cooled 4-cycle small engines. It’s a synthetic blend formulated for lawn mowers, generators, tractors, and snow blowers.
The SAE 10W-30 viscosity grade works best in warm-to-moderate climates. The freezing point sits around 0°C and boiling point runs above 207°C.
Also compatible with:
- Air-cooled 4-cycle lawn mowers
- Generators, tractors, and snow blowers
VP 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 30/10W-30 Full Synthetic
VP Racing 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 30 / 10W-30 Full Synthetic 18 oz
VP 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 30/10W-30 is a compatible aftermarket option for the Craftsman T110 and other air-cooled 4-cycle small engines. It’s a premium full synthetic from VP Racing Fuels designed for outdoor power equipment like lawn mowers, generators, and pressure washers.
The dual viscosity rating meets both SAE 30 and 10W-30 specifications, which gives you flexibility; however, many owners still debate the merits of SAE 30 vs 5w30 for seasonal storage. VP 4-Cycle exceeds API SJ standards and meets requirements for major brands including Honda, Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler.
Also compatible with:
- Honda, Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler 4-cycle engines
- Riding mowers, generators, and pressure washers
- Small engines requiring SAE 30 or 10W-30
Craftsman T110 Has No Oil Filter
The Craftsman T110 does not have an oil filter. The 17.5 HP Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder engine uses a splash lubrication system instead of a pressurized oil pump, which means there’s no pressurized flow to push oil through a filter.
In a splash system, a mechanical dipper moves oil around the engine as the crankshaft rotates. This design is simpler and more cost-effective for light residential mowers designed to handle roughly 1/2 to 1 acre. It’s been the standard approach for smaller engines for decades.
Without a filter to trap contaminants, the engine relies entirely on regular oil changes to flush out metal shavings and debris. This is why Briggs & Stratton requires oil changes every 50 hours or once per season, whichever comes first. This frequent interval keeps the oil clean enough to prevent excessive wear.
Generic parts catalogs often list oil filters for the T110. This is typically a listing error where retailers include all potential parts for an entire mower series, even those that don’t apply to specific models.
Certain similar Briggs & Stratton engines have a blocked-off filter location, which creates confusion about retrofitting options. The standard T110 engine (like model 31R907-0050) is splash-lubricated and does not require an oil filter.
Closing Notes
Maintaining the Craftsman T110 is less about complexity and more about consistency. Because this engine relies on a splash lubrication system without a filter, the oil itself acts as the primary defense against internal wear.
Its engine oil is a lubricant as well as a cleaning agent. Since it can’t cycle through a filter to trap debris, those contaminants remain suspended in the fluid. This makes the 50-hour change interval a hard deadline.
Invest in a high-quality full synthetic. A superior oil resists the thermal thinning that leads to metal-on-metal contact, ensuring your T110 remains a reliable workhorse for years of Saturday afternoons.
If you’re not sure which oil to buy, give this one a try:
Stens 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 5W-30
