Guide To Generac Generators Oil Types and Capacities (2024)

Generators are essential for providing power when the grid is down or in remote areas. But it’s important to know what type of oil and capacity your generator needs to run properly.

This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about Generac Generators oil types and capacities, so you can keep your generator running smoothly. We’ll cover topics such as winter use, summer use, general use, and how much oil a generator takes. Read on to learn more.

Types of oil use for Generac generators

Generac generators require oil for optimal performance. Here are the types of oil recommended for Generac generators.

Generac Generators Oil Types and Capacities

5W-20 GEO Full Synthetic Oil: This oil is made specifically for gaseous engines, like the one found in Generac generators.
SAE 30: This type of oil should be used when temperatures are above 32°F.
10W-30: When temperatures drop below 40°F and down to -10°F, this type of oil should be used.
5W-30 Synthetic Oil: This type of oil can be used in all temperatures and is great for Generac generator engines.

It’s important to use the right type of oil in your Generac generator to ensure peak performance and longevity. Make sure you check with your manufacturer or refer to their guide before choosing an oil type.

5W30 and 10W30 Oil: Differences, Properties, Uses

Factors in Selecting the Right Oil for Your Generator

When selecting the right oil for your generator, there are a few key factors to consider.

The type of your generator.
Your operating conditions.
The type of fuel you use.
Viscosity and brand of the oil.
Operating temperatures and engine type.
Capacity for the application.
Modularity and portability of the generator.
Quality of base stocks and additive chemistry in the oil.

What is the oil capacity of Generac generators?

Generac generators have an oil capacity of 1.1 liters or 1.09 quarts. It is important to check the dipstick and ensure it is very close to High (H). If more oil is needed, just add a bit more until the capacity is reached.

It is important not to overfill the generator with oil as it can cause problems such as leaks or engine damage.

What type of oil do Generac generators require and how much do they need?

Generac generators require oil for proper operation and maintenance. Here are some points to consider when selecting the right oil for your generator.

Generac recommends using 5W-20 GEO Full Synthetic Oil for home standby generators.
For winter use, SAE 10W-30 is recommended (Below 40°F and down to -10°F).
For summer use, SAE 30 is recommended (above 32°F).
For general use, Synthetic 5W-30 is recommended (at all temperatures).
The capacity of the oil needed depends on the size of your generator. Refer to Generac’s Generators Oil Type & Capacity Guide for more information on how much oil you need for your specific model.
Maintenance kits with proprietary 5W-20 Synthetic Oil are available from Generac to help maintain the peak performance of air-cooled home standby generators.

5W20 and 5W30 Oil: Difference, Uses, Shopping Guide

All Generac Generators Oil Type & Capacity

1. Generac GP17500E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.7 qt. / 1.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

2. Generac GP15000E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.7 qt. / 1.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

3. Generac XT8500EFI Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.05 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

4. Generac XT8000EFI Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.05 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

5. Generac XT8000E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.06 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

6. Generac XG8000E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.5 qt. / 1.42 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

7. Generac XC8000E (49ST/CSA & CARB) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

8. Generac GP8000E (49ST/CSA & 50ST) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

9. Generac GP7500E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

10. Generac XC6500E Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

11. Generac XC6500 (49ST/CSA & CARB) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

12. Generac GP6500E (49ST/CSA) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.06 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

13. Generac GP6500 (49ST & 50ST) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.06 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

14. Generac RS5500 Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.06 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

15. Generac GP5500 Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 1.06 qt. / 1.0 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

16. Generac GP3600 (49ST/CSA & 50ST) Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.634 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

17. Generac GP3500iO Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.634 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

18. Generac IQ3500 Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.634 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

19. Generac GP3300 Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.634 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

20. Generac GP3300i Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.6 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

21. Generac GP3250 Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.634 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

22. Generac GP3000i Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.6 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

23. Generac GP2500i Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.36 qt. / 0.35 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

24. Generac GP2200i Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.36 qt. / 0.35 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

25. Generac IX2000 Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.63 qt. / 0.6 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

26. Generac IQ2000 Inverter Generator

Winter use: SAE 10W-30 (40°F and down to -10°F)
Summer use: SAE 30 (above 32°F)
General use: SAE 5W-30 (all temperatures)
Oil capacity: 0.4 qt. / 0.38 l.
Break-in oil change: 20-30 hours of use
Regular oil change: Every 6 months / 100 hrs. of use

What are the benefits of using synthetic oil in a generator?

Using synthetic oil in a generator has many benefits, including the given below.

Superior Cleaning Power – Synthetic oil is better at cleaning your engine while in use, which helps to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
Heat Tolerances – Synthetic oil is designed to handle temperature changes well, which can help extend the life of your generator.
Resistance To Breakdown – Synthetic oils are less likely to break down under high temperatures, meaning they can last longer and provide better protection for your engine.
Thinner Consistency – Synthetic oils are thinner than regular motor oils, allowing them to flow more easily and lubricate your engine more effectively.
Lower Viscosity – Synthetic oils have a lower viscosity than regular motor oils, which can help reduce wear and tear on the engine while providing better fuel economy.

Overall, using synthetic oil in your generator can help ensure optimal performance and longevity of your unit. It’s important to check with your manufacturer or refer to their

How to check the oil level in your generator?

Checking the oil level in your Generac generator is an important part of regular maintenance and can help prevent costly repairs down the road. To check the oil level, follow these steps.

Turn off the generator and allow it to cool down for at least a few minutes.
Locate the oil dipstick. It is typically located near the bottom of the engine.
Now remove your generator’s dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Reinsert the dipstick you removed earlier all the way back into the engine.
Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. The oil should be between the “Low” and “High” marks on the dipstick. Check that if the oil level is low, add more oil until it reaches the proper level. Be careful not to overfill the engine, as this can cause damage.
Once the oil level is correct, reinsert the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated in the engine.

It is important to check the oil level in your Generac generator regularly, especially before each use. Running the generator with low oil can cause internal damage to the engine and reduce its lifespan. To maintain the optimal performance of your Generac generator, make sure to use the recommended oil type and capacity as indicated in the manufacturer’s guide.

What are some common problems with low oil levels?

Low oil levels can cause a variety of issues in Generac generators. Here are some of the most common problems.

Poor Engine Performance – Low oil levels can cause the engine to run less efficiently and potentially overheat, leading to poor engine performance.
Reduced Lubrication – Low oil levels mean there is less lubrication for moving parts in the engine, causing friction and premature wear of internal components.
Excessive Wear – Without enough lubricating oil, metal parts within an engine can grind against each other more quickly than normal, leading to excessive wear on components such as pistons and cylinders which will need replacing sooner than expected if left unchecked.
Damage To Bearings And Gaskets- Low oil levels also increase the likelihood of damage caused by heat buildup and lack of circulation around critical bearings or gaskets that are essential for the proper cooling down of an engine’s components during operation. This can lead to significant repair bills if not addressed quickly.
Costly repairs – due to breakdowns caused by low oil levels.

It is important to check and maintain proper oil levels in your Generac generator regularly to keep it running efficiently and prevent costly repairs. Use the manufacturer’s guide to determine the correct type and amount of oil for you. Be sure to change the oil at least once a year or according to your manufacturer’s instructions to ensure optimal performance.

What to do if the generator runs out of oil?

If your Generac generator runs out of oil, you should shut it off immediately and allow the engine to cool down. Once the engine is cooled, use a funnel to add fresh oil back into the engine until it reaches the level indicated by the dipstick. It is important to use only the specified type of oil that is recommended for your generator

Tips for changing the oil in your generator

Changing the oil in your generator is an important task of regular maintenance. This will help ensure that your generator runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Given below are some tips to help you change the oil in your generator.

Ensure that you have the right type of oil for your generator. Check your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer to determine what type of oil is recommended for your particular model.
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies on hand, including a wrench, a funnel, and an oil pan or other container for draining the old oil.
Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the engine and use a wrench to loosen it. Once it’s loose, twist it out completely and allow the old oil to drain into an appropriate container.
After all the old oil has been drained then replace the drain plug and tighten it securely with a wrench.
Use a funnel to pour new oil into the engine until it reaches its maximum level as indicated in your owner’s manual or by manufacturer instructions.
Start up your generator and let it run for a few minutes to ensure that everything is running smoothly before turning it off again and disposing of any used oil properly according to local regulations.

By following these steps, you can easily change the oil in your generator yourself without having to take it to a service center or pay someone else to do it for you.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper oil levels in your Generac generator is an important step to ensuring its optimal performance and longevity. Be sure to use the recommended type of oil for your specific model, check and fill with the correct amount of oil regularly, and change it at least once a year.

By following this guide and taking care of your generator, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure that it runs smoothly for years to come. It is important to take proper care of your Generac generator to ensure its optimal performance, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and these tips when changing the oil in your generator. Doing so will help maximize its lifespan.