Choosing the Oil for the Honda EU2200i Generator: What I Used and What Works Best

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After the hurricane hit Houston, trying to find anything for small engines, especially motor oil has been an absolute nightmare. I’ve been running my Honda EU2200 generator pretty hard lately, and when it came time for an oil change, I realized I couldn’t find the official Honda small engine oil anywhere.

Actually, any small engine oil was almost impossible to find.

So, I had to get creative and I figured I’d share what worked for me (and a few tips from friends who’ve had way more generator hours under their belt than I do).

What I Ended Up Using

I decided to go with Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 that I grabbed from Amazon. I’ve been using Rotella in a lot of my other equipment, and honestly, it’s been rock solid.

Even though 15W-40 is a little heavier than Honda’s standard recommendation (10W-30), for the hot Texas summer, it’s actually a pretty good fit. My Honda EU2200i started right up, ran smoothly, and didn't seem to mind the slight jump in viscosity at all.

shell-rotella-t4-15w-40-oil — Photo: Eric Sandstrum

Other Good Options (According to My Friends)

1. Just Use Any 10W-30

A buddy of mine, Bryan Rome been running small engines forever, told me straight:

Don't waste your money chasing down oil with the Honda label on it. Any good 10W-30 will do just fine.

Brands like Super Tech from Walmart, Mobil 1, Kirkland Signature, or Pennzoil Platinum are all solid choices. Honda doesn’t even make their own oil; they just slap their sticker on it and charge extra.

2. Amsoil 10W-30 Small Engine Oil

Another friend swears by Amsoil’s 10W-30 Small Engine Formula. It’s specifically designed for small engines that run under load all day long, like generators. He’s been using it for 3 years straight and says his generator still runs like new.

amsoil-10w-30-oil — Photo: Eric Sandstrum

3. Diesel Oils Like Rotella T6 5W-40

If you can’t find standard small engine oil, a lot of people (especially off-gridders) use heavy-duty diesel oils like Rotella T6 5W-40.

One guy I know has Hondas running 10–18 hours daily, and he’s put over 4000 hours on his EU1000 using diesel oil.

4. What About Thinner Oils (like 0W-20)

Some folks mentioned using 0W-20 "in a pinch". It’s thinner than recommended, and while it’s okay temporarily, you really want something thicker (like 10W-30 or 5W-40) for long-term use, especially in hot climates.

Important Tips to Remember

Read your manual: Honda typically recommends 10W-30 or straight 30 weight, depending on temperature.
Change oil frequently: No matter what oil you use, frequent oil changes are key to keeping your generator healthy.
Avoid overthinking brands: Good oil is good oil. Don’t get caught up in the label.
Watch the weather: Heavier oils (like 15W-40) are better in hotter temps; lighter oils (like 5W-30) are better in colder climates.

Final Thoughts

After not finding Honda-branded oil anywhere, switching to Rotella T4 15W-40 worked perfectly for me during this crazy stretch.

Honestly, now that I know how flexible oil options really are, I’m way less stressed about it.

As long as you stick with the right viscosity for your climate and change your oil regularly, your Honda EU2200 will keep humming along — no fancy bottle needed.