Best outboard oils for 2024

Buying a boat for many is a dream come true, having realized which, you need to think about how to extend the life of your favorite vehicle. For the boat to serve faithfully for many years, you need the right oil, it is this oil that will ensure the health of the heart of the device - its motor.

Criteria for selecting the ideal oil

The outboard motor can run without oil. Another question is how long it will take him. A new or used motor a priori contains an oil residue that envelops the piston of the device with a protective shell that softens its stroke. When the remaining oil is wiped off, the engine will stall in a matter of minutes.

Which oil is better to buy - synthetic or natural?

Comparative characteristics of mineral and synthetic oils can be clearly seen in the table, the assessment of specific properties is indicated in points: 10 - excellent, 9 - excellent, 8 - good, 5 - satisfactory, 1 - bad.

Whichever oil the user ultimately prefers, the following key rules should be followed when choosing the ideal product for a long engine life:

1. For low-volume 4T motors, it is impossible to use viscous oils. They simply will not spray on the engine pistons, thereby provoking problems with the vehicle;
2. Synthetics are more expensive than mineral water, so its purchase becomes relevant only with frequent use of a vehicle. If 3-4 outings are planned over the summer, the cost of the product will not pay off;
3. For 2T engines, a synthetic gear oil with a dilution tolerance is preferred. The low concentration of the product will eventually pay off the not the lowest price for this type of oil;
4. If the boat is not equipped with the most expensive motor, this does not mean that you can save on oil, rather the opposite. It is cheap oil that is more likely to ruin the engine than its cost.

How long can you store outboard motor oil?

Boat engine oil is not the most perishable product. However, you should not buy too much for future use either: over time, the loss of a number of essential properties of the oil is inevitable. This is especially true for mineral oils due to the instability of the chemical composition.

The average shelf life of synthetic oil in a closed container is 5-6 years; mineral oil can be safely thrown away after 3-4 years.

In order to extend the shelf life, it is important to ensure the proper conditions for this:

1. The oil should be stored in a tightly closed container - this will help to avoid destructive contact with air and, as a result, oxidation of the product;
2. Oil cannot be stored in transparent containers - light has a destructive effect on the product;
3. High or too low temperatures should be avoided - the best option ranges from 18 to 38⁰ on the Celsius scale. An increase in the norm guarantees an increase in the viscosity of the product, and a decrease in the presence of sediment;
4. Trash in the oil - even the smallest - threatens a damaged engine, it is also better to dispose of such oil.

It doesn't matter how expired the oil is - 1 day or a whole month - its use threatens in the future with major engine overhauls, and this is very expensive. Don't take the risk and use an expired product. Manufacturers recommend keeping oil for 1 shift in stock, so the user will save himself from unnecessary expenses and headaches.

Rating of oils for two-stroke outboard motors

There are 2 categories of oil for outboard motors in total:

• Two-stroke;
• Four-stroke.

Two-stroke oil cannot be used to lubricate gasoline in its pure form: it is diluted with the recommended fuel in the proportion indicated on the product packaging.

How to choose the best 2T oil based on its characteristics:

1. It should burn practically without residue, not form carbon deposits and ash;
2. The presence of a dye is also important, this will help to more accurately measure the required amount of the product to create a mixture;
3. The presence of a complex of additives - additional components - does not matter, since the oil burns out without residue.

1st place - MOTUL Outboard Synth 2T

Motul is a French company whose main activity is the production of motor oils. Since 1853, it has been operating and has achieved considerable success: all motorcyclists in the world know it as a reliable manufacturer of oils for iron horses, in this area the company has become almost a monopoly. They supply no less quality products to boat owners: certified synthetic oil on an ester basis has a certificate of international quality, it reacts perfectly to water.

The uniqueness of this type of oil is in its high environmental friendliness: 85% of the composition decomposes under the influence of natural conditions, the oil is practically devoid of exhaust and does not exude a characteristic burning smell. The oil is not cheap, but economical: in proportion to the consumed gasoline, it is enough to add 1 part of the product to 100 parts of fuel. Consumption will double in the case of intense loads and high speeds close to sports.

The average price per liter is 1500 rubles.

• Caring for the environment;
• Low consumption;
• Can work with carburetor engines and fuel injection systems;
• Sold in any specialty store.

• High price.

2nd place - LIQUI MOLY 2T-Tact-MotorOil

The German brand LIQUI MOLY has more than 6,000 types of oils. For more than half a century, the company has been producing high-quality and inexpensive vehicle care products: be it car oils or boat oils, no rating of quality products in this category is complete without the participation of LIQUI MOLY. The company actively supports and sponsors sports events, receives international and Russian awards for unique developments and innovations.

Boat oil is a technically complex product, but the German company managed to modify it and make it truly unique and at the same time affordable for a wide range of users. Due to the very high explosion temperature (120⁰ Celsius), the oil burns out almost entirely during operation and does not form carbon deposits, which adversely affect the service life of the engine. But this excellent property also has a downside - an increase in product consumption, which, in turn, is offset by a low market price.

How much for 1 liter - 550 rubles.

• Excellent technical characteristics that will prolong the life of the motor;
• Affordability;
• Wide functionality: can be used not only for outboard motors, but also for garden and motor vehicles;
• Mixes well with fuel.

• High consumption, therefore, may require re-filling during long-term operation of the product.

3rd place - YAMAHALUBE 2-M TC-W3 RL Super 2-Stroke

The Japanese brand YAMAHA produces not only vehicle care products, but also the vehicle itself. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles of this company have established themselves as one of the best in terms of price and quality, popular models of the company are used by people from all over the world. It is interesting that the unique history of the company began with the production of musical instruments in 1887, and only after the end of the Second World War, the Japanese were given the factories for working with metal. It was then that the triumphant march of Japanese technology and products for its care began.

For a long time, 2-M TC-W3 RL Super 2-Stroke oil was almost the only option for those who purchased Yamaha brand equipment - it was actively distributed by micro-dealer stores, and it is still difficult to find a product on the shelves of multi-brand hypermarkets. It is a high quality mineral oil with a low price and exemplary technical characteristics. The oil forms a moderate amount of carbon deposits on the engine pistons, forms smoke minimally and is stored for an extremely long time without deteriorating the initial performance.

The average price is 480 rubles per 1 liter.

• Low price for 1 liter;
• Consistent quality regardless of batch;
• Long shelf life;
• Fuel injection system compatible.

• The manufacturer cheated in the instructions and indicated the ratio with gasoline 1: 100, in fact, it will be twice as much, which makes the product not so budgetary;
• Difficult to find outside of branded stores.

Rating of oils for four-stroke outboard motors

Four-stroke outboard motors are directly lubricated with appropriate types of oils, without mixing with fuel. To select the ideal 4T oil, consider the following parameters:

1. Good oil must withstand long periods of heating and cooling, their constant change;
2. Product viscosity: due to the fact that it does not mix with anything, the oil should spray well, but at the same time be viscous enough to adhere to the metal surface of the piston;
3. Minimal erasure when the engine is running at high speeds, which often happens when driving a motor boat.

1st place - MOTUL Outboard Tech 4T 10W-30

The French brand MOTUL produces really high-quality goods for vehicles and occupies a well-deserved first place in the ranking of the best oils for outboard motors. The popularity of the brand's models is justified by the ideal price-quality ratio, excellent technical characteristics and easy accessibility for both residents of the capital and those who live in small settlements.

One fill of MOTUL Outboard Tech 4T 10W-30 oil is enough for a long time, the product does not sin with excessive formation of carbon deposits on the engine pistons, and the cost of the product differs from 2T oil by only a few tens of rubles. The oil won special love of the audience for its unique possibility of safe mixing with other oils, be it synthetics or mineral water - such a “cocktail” will not harm the engine. The oil belongs to a unique category of semi-synthetics.

The average price is 600 rubles per 1 liter.

• High quality composition;
• Minimal emulsion formation on contact with water;
• Mixing with any kind of oil;
• There is no need for frequent replacement of the product;
• Easily obtainable from any specialty store.

• Judging by user reviews, they simply do not exist.

2nd place - QUICKSILVER 4-STROKE Marine 10W-30

The best manufacturers of modern high-tech oils for outboard motors have firmly established themselves in the European part of the planet. Often, when asked which company is better to buy oil for an outboard motor, users agree on the answer QUICKSILVER.The company has been producing low-cost vehicle care products since 1970; they have many patented ideas and developments on their account that increase the life of engines and the quality of life of their owners.

Owners of small-capacity 4T outboard motors know how difficult it is to choose the optimal oil for them: it's all about the specifics of the motor device. Oil gets on the pistons only in the process of splashing, therefore, a viscous product at the minimum speed simply cannot provide protection for the piston. The situation is different with QUICKSILVER 4-STROKE Marine 10W-30: this semi-synthetics easily falls on the right parts even when the boat is practically immobilized, which often happens, for example, on fishing. The low price for such quality is especially pleasant.

The average price is 700 rubles.

• The products of this brand are not faked - it is almost impossible to run into low-quality oil;
• The oil does not suffer from excessive formation of carbon deposits even when the motors are running at maximum speeds;
• Excellent value for money;
• The oil ensures optimal engine performance in all conditions, important for fishermen.

• Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to get it outside of brand stores.

Whatever oil the user chooses for his motor, it is necessary to carefully monitor its consumption and condition, you cannot use the product filled in last season, otherwise the outboard motor will not work for a long time.