Engine oil capacity is a critical factor to consider when selecting or changing the oil for your Briggs and Stratton engine. The appropriate engine oil capacity is typically 15 oz or 18 oz for walk-behind mowers and 48 oz or 64 oz for riding mowers. But what are the recommended oil type and capacity for a specific engine model? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Briggs and Stratton engine oil capacity chart and how to choose and change the engine oil for your equipment running on B&S engines.

Briggs and Stratton Engine Oil Capacity Chart
B& S Vertical Shaft Engines
| Engine Model Name | Engine Horsepower | Engine Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. CLASSIC, Sprint, POWER BUILT, CLEAN POWER. | 3.5-3.75 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 2. Quattro, SQ, Q | 4.0-4.75 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 3. EUROPA | 5 HP | 22 fl oz. (.65 l) |
| 4. GenPower, CLEAN POWER, QUANTUM, QUANTUM XTE | 5-6 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 5. QUANTUM I/C, QUANTUM XTE I/C, QUANTUM Edge, QUANTUM Diamond PLUS | 5-6.5 HP | 20 fl oz. (.65 l) |
| 6. CLEAN TEK Pro, GenTek I/C, GenTek Pro | 6-6.75 HP | 22 fl oz. (.65 l) |
7. GenPower, INTEK, INTEKPRO |
6-6.75 HP | 22 fl oz. (.65 l) |
| 8. GenPower, CLEAN POWER, POWER BUILT | 8-11 HP | 36 fl oz. (1.06 l) |
| 9. INTEK, POWER BUILT, OHV | 9-13.5 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 10. CLEAN POWER, POWER BUILT, I/C, I/C QUIET, I/C Diamond PLUS | 12-14 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 11. VANGUARD, HIGH PERFORMANCE I/C (Single Cylinder) | 15-16 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 12. Equipped INTEK & ELS | 13.5-17.5 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 13. CLEAN TEK Pro, GenTek Pro | 15.5-17.5 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 14. I/C Twin, I/C Diamond PLUS | 18-20 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 15. VANGUARD V-Twin, GenTek Pro, PowerBuilt TWIN | 16-23 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 16. GenTek Pro, INTEK V-twin & ELS | 22-26 HP | 60 fl oz. (1.77 l) |
B& S Horizontal Shaft Engines
| Engine Model Name | Horsepower | Oil Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. VANGUARD | 2.4 HP | 13.5 fl oz (.4 l) |
| 2. VANGUARD | 4 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 3. POWER BUILT I/C | 3.5 Hp | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 4. INTEK, INTEK PRO, INTEK I/C, INTEK SNOW, POWER BUILT, CLEAN POWER, CLEAN TEK I/C, OHV | 5-7 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 5. GenTek Pro, GenTek I/C, Genpower, GenTek OHV | 5.5-6.5 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 6. VANGUARD | 6 HP | 24 fl oz. (.71 l) |
| 7. INTEK SNOW | 7.5 HP | 20 fl oz. (.59 l) |
| 8. VANGUARD | 7.5 HP | 30 fl oz. (.90 l) |
| 9. GeoPower I/C INDUSTRIAL PLUS | 8-10 HP | 44 fl oz. (1.3 l) |
10. INTEK, INTEK PRO, INTEK I/C, POWER BUILT, GenPower, OHV |
8-11 HP | 28 fl oz. (.77 l) |
| 11. CLEAN POWER, CLEAN TEK Pro, CLEAN TEK I/C, OHV | 8-11 HP | 28 fl oz. (.77 l) |
| 12. GeoTek, GenTek Pro, GenTek I/C, OHV | 8-11 HP | 28 fl oz. (.77 l) |
| 13. VANGUARD | 9 HP | 32 fl oz. (1.2 l) |
| 14. INTEK SNOW | 9-11 HP | 28 fl oz. (.77 l) |
| 15. VANGUARD | 11-13 HP | 32 fl oz. (1.5 l) |
| 16. I/C INDUSTRIAL PLUS | 11-12 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 17. VANGUARD V Twin | 16-23 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 18. I/C, I/C Twin | 18-19 HP | 48 fl oz. (1.42 l) |
| 19. FOURCE | .75-1 HP | 3.0 fl oz. (80ml) |
| 20. 4-cycle outboard | 5hp | 24 fl oz. (.71 l) |
What Types of Oil for Your Briggs and Stratton Engine?
Different oil types can work best at certain temperatures. Here are common engine oils recommended by Briggs and Stratton.
- SAE 30: Ideal for warmer temperatures (above 40°F). The standard option for most small engines, featuring excellent protection during typical mowing conditions
- SAE 10W-30: Better cold-starting performance in colder climates ranging from 0°F to 100°F, but may increase oil consumption in hotter conditions
- Synthetic SAE 5W-30: Best protection for a wide range of temperatures from -20°F to over 100°F. This oil type offers improved starting with less oil consumption
- Vanguard 15W-50: Perfect for continuous use or high-temperature applications, such as commercial-grade mowers
- SAE 5W-30: Suitable for very cold temperatures
How to Choose the Right Oil for Your Briggs & Stratton Engine?
Here are some key considerations for engine oil selection.
- Check your owner’s manual: Check for specific recommendations regarding the oil type, grade and capacity
- Consider the temperature range: SAE 30 is suitable for mild to hot weather and synthetic SAE 5W-30 for cooler temperatures or year-round use
- Consider your specific usage and environment: If you mow regularly or in challenging conditions, such as long grass or hilly terrain, synthetic oil is often a wiser choice due to its superior performance and longevity.
Step-by-Step Guide on Changing the Engine Oil
- Prepare tools and materials: You’ll need the engine oil of the right type and amount, an oil drain pan, a funnel, a clean cloth and possibly a wrench or socket set
- Warm up the engine: You’ll need to run your mower for a few minutes to warm up the engine oil for easy drainage
- Drain the engine oil: Tip your mower onto its side (with the air filter facing up to prevent contamination), or use the dedicated drain plug if necessary
- Top up the engine oil: Pour proper engine oil slowly through a funnel and check the oil level with the dipstick
- Dispose of used oil: Finally, you should dispose of the used oil according to your local disposal requirements

How to Check the Oil Level for Your Briggs and Stratton Engine?
Inspecting the engine oil level is straightforward with the dipstick for your Briggs engine. Here are easy steps for you to follow:
- Park your mower on level ground and remove the dipstick cap
- Remove your dipstick and wipe it with a clean towel for an accurate reading
- Make sure that the teeth on the cap match the grooves on the dipstick tube before reinstallation
- Remove the cap again and check the oil level towards the bottom of the dipstick blade
- The oil level should be between the full and add marks
- Add a few ounces of oil at a time to avoid overfilling if the oil is low
- Always allow enough time for the oil to settle before rechecking the engine oil level
See a complete guide on How to Check Engine Oil with A Dipstick here.
Wrapping up
Understanding the Briggs and Stratton engine oil capacity is essential for engine oil and filter maintenance of your B&S engines. Always consult your owner’s manual for the engine oil type, engine oil capacity and check the oil condition of your engine oil regularly. At FridayParts, we don’t sell engine oil, but provide an extensive inventory of quality Briggs and Stratton replacement parts for various engines. Explore now and enjoy your new rigs with optimal engine performance.
You Might Also Like
Briggs and Stratton Oil Filter Cross Reference: A Complete Guide
How to Find Briggs and Stratton Engine Parts by Serial Number
