what gas is best for small engines

Full Answer

Is premium gas better for small engines?

For those wondering “Is premium gas better for small engines?” the answer is most likely no. That's because small engines are not built with high compression ratios. There is no threat of engine knock taking place.

What octane gas is best for small engines?

When it comes to fuel, your best bet for a small engine is gasoline with an 89 octane rating.

Is ethanol free gas better for small engines?

However, when you're using gas with ethanol mixture in your outdoor power equipment, like lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers and leaf blowers, you run the risk of engine damage and incurring costly repairs. You should be using ethanol free gas in your small engine outdoor power equipment.

What is the most common fuel used in small engines?

unleaded gasolineSmall engine manufacturers, such as Briggs and Stratton, have the following requirements regarding fuel used in their current 4- and 2-stroke engines [1]: Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline. Minimum of 87 octane. Gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10, gasohol) or up to 15 percent MTBE is acceptable.

Is it OK to put 93 octane in a lawn mower?

The best gas to use in your lawn mower is that recommended by its manufacturer. The rule of thumb is that you can use either regular gas rated at 87 octanes or premium gas that's rated higher at 91 or 93 octanes. Do not use gas with more than 10% ethanol to avoid damage to the mower's fuel system.

Should I use premium gas in lawnmower?

You should use regular gas in your lawn mower. Running a smaller engine on premium gas isn't necessary. Premium gas is designed for engines with a higher compression ratio which are generally found in high powered cars. While premium gas may not hurt your mower's engine, it will hurt your wallet.

Do you need to put Stabil in ethanol free gas?

Adding a stabilizer to the fuel can extend its shelf life to up to 2 years. Ethanol-free fuel doesn't suffer from the moisture issues that pump gas does so it is unlikely that you'll benefit from adding stabilizer unless you are storing it for more than six months.

Will ethanol gas hurt small engines?

It is perfectly safe to used ethanol-blended fuel (E10) in your lawn mower and other equipment powered by a small engine.

What type of gas should I put in my lawn mower?

Most lawn mowers, and most four-stroke engines, do not need premium gas, or high octane rating like premium 93 octane fuel. Most mowers will run fine with a regular 87-90 octane rating.

Can 87 octane go in chainsaw?

Both brands of pro saws are designed to burn fuel rated at 89 octane or higher. Most regular grade fuel has an octane rating of about 87. This is not enough. We also don't recommend the use of high octane aviation grade fuel.

Can I put super unleaded in my lawn mower?

E15 petrol should not be used in your lawn mower. Most people use “Super Unleaded” 97 or 98 RON petrol in their lawn mower, because it has just a 5% ethanol content. There is little benefit in using premium fuels (such as Shell V-Power) in small engines such as your lawn mower.

Is it OK to mix ethanol and non ethanol gas?

You can safely mix ethanol and non-ethanol gasoline in your vehicle's fuel tank. Regular gasoline and ethanol are compatible and mixing the two will not harm your engine. However, your engine will always run better on the type of fuel it was engineered to burn.

What gas is best for lawn mowers?

Most lawn mowers, and most four-stroke engines, do not need premium gas, or high octane rating like premium 93 octane fuel. Most mowers will run fine with a regular 87-90 octane rating.

Will high octane gas hurt a lawn mower?

Any octane of gas available at your local gas station should work fine in your lawnmower, as long as you avoid the diesel section. High octanes won't necessarily improve your lawnmower's performance, but they won't hurt the engine. A bigger concern is to watch for the amount of ethanol present in the gas.

Can you use regular gas in a small engine?

Regular Unleaded Gasoline This is usually the lowest octane gasoline that you can buy, and usually the cheapest option. Also, this happens to be the lowest octane gasoline that you should use in a lawn mower or any small engine.

Should I use premium gas in my snowblower?

Only use high-grade oil intended for use in two-cycle air-cooled engines. A high-grade premium gasoline will burn cleaner in the engines, leaving less carbon buildup in the cylinder, exhaust port and muffler. A fuel grade of 89 octane and higher is recommended.

What is the best gas for a lawn mower?

What is the best small engine or lawn mower gas? Fuel for your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment must meet these requirements: Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), is acceptable. Some fuel stations are now selling gasoline with up to 15% ethanol.

How to store gasoline in small engine?

Simply follow these steps for proper storage: If gasoline in the small engine has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer, it must be drained into an approved container. Run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel. The use of a fuel stabilizer in the storage container is recommended to maintain freshness.

Why is a fuel stabilizer important?

The use of a fuel stabilizer is imperative to a fuel system that does not get used on a daily basis. Issues that are presented because of fuel degradation, are issues that are not covered under the warranty guidelines for the engine.

What to do if gasoline is not treated with fuel stabilizer?

If gasoline in the small engine has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer, it must be drained into an approved container. Run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel. The use of a fuel stabilizer in the storage container is recommended to maintain freshness.

Can you mix oil in a 4 stroke spark engine?

4 Stroke Cycle Spark Ignited Engines: Do not mix oil in gasoline, or modify engine to run on alternate fuels. This will damage the engine components and void the engine warranty

Can you use E15 in small engines?

Some fuel stations are now selling gasoline with up to 15% ethanol. This E15 product is not recommended or approved for use in small engines. A canned fuel product can also be used. This fuel combines ethanol-free unleaded gasoline with a fuel stabilizer to prolong the life of the fuel.

Is it better to start a small engine with fresh fuel?

Like Eggs and Butter, Fresh Gas Is Best. In the absence of any other mitigating factors, it's always better to start your small equipment on fresh fuel. Fresh fuel will lose parts of its blend that are more volatile and that makes your equipment hard to start.

Can you use gas in a small engine?

Sadly (depending on how you look at it), the answer to the second question is no. There's no special kind of gas that's best suited for small engines. They run on the same kind of gas you're going to put into your car, truck or boat.

Do small engines have low compression ratios?

Small engines have low compression ratios, meaning they won't likely benefit from anything special in the gas like a higher octane rating. Some premium fuels may actually make your equipment harder to start. So save your money and use regular gas.

Do you top off your car when filling a gas can?

Re-Fueling Tip. Gas station owners will recommend that if you're filling a gas can for use with your lawn mower or equipment, top your car off first. This flushes out any remnants of possible high octane gas that your car will find more beneficial than your mower will.

What octane do chainsaws need?

Powerful Chainsaws. Most regular grade fuel has an octane rating of about 87. For chainsaws that’s not enough, they need gasoline that has an octane rating at 89 or higher. Chainsaws have high performance engines, some produce more power per pound than many race car engines, so they need gasoline that has a high octane rating.

Do lawn mowers use the same fuel as generators?

Yes different types of equipment may need different types of fuel. That lawn mower of yours isn’t gonna use the same type of gasoline as your generator would. Below we list the most common types of power equipment people own along with the gasoline they should be using for each one.

Is it important to use gasoline in power equipment?

Its important to use the right gasoline in your power equipment, after all that power equipment wasn’t cheap purchasing in the first place. Make sure you get the most out of your equipment and take care of it by providing it with the necessary gasoline.

Is 87 octane gasoline good for snowblowers?

For snowblowers, gasoline with 87 octane is sufficient. The more expensive higher octanes are unnecessary. Standard gas station fuel will have about 10% ethanol which is fine, but stay away from fuel with more than 10% ethanol. This will gum up the carburetor and ultimately begin to corrode the engine parts.

Can you use gasoline for string trimmers?

String Trimmers, Weedeaters, Brushcutters. For trimmers you can use unleaded gasoline with an octane level of around 87. Never use gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87 or diesel fuels. Its always preferred to use fresh gasoline if you can get it.

Can you use ethanol in a lawn mower?

You can use gas with ethanol, but more than 10 percent ethanol is typically not recommended.

Do you need to mix oil and gas for a trimmer?

Most two-stroke models require a 40:1 gas-to-oil ratio, (2.6 fluid ounces of two cycle oil for every one gallon of gas.) Some manufacturers (Honda, Husqvarna) have now started making 4-stroke trimmers, which wouldn’t require you to mix the gas and oil.

Is ethanol a good solvent?

Ethanol is also an excellent solvent. Simply put, it will dissolve plastic, rubber, fiberglass and much more, potentially causing serious problems to small engines.

Is E10 fuel good for small engines?

While E10 fuels are approved for small engine equipment usage, it is not recommended, especially in handheld products. Gas with ethanol separates while being stored in your gas tank. The 2 stroke oil remains bonded to the gasoline but not to ethanol. Thus, the ethanol and water part of the mixture contains no oil for engine lubrication. This leads to poor lubrication, performance issues and costly repairs over time.

What Is Top Tier Gas?

If a station is branded as being Top Tier, it means their gas has met a certain performance standard.

What Should I Know About Fuel Additives?

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have survived in the competitive landscape of today. These are compounds that aim to increase the longevity of your engine while also boosting power and economy.

What additives do Shell use?

These include detergents, friction reducers, and corrosion inhibitors, which may extend engine life.

What does premium fuel mean?

In most instances, the Premium label means the fuel has a higher octane rating, which is a number that measures its performance.

What does it mean when a gas station is a top tier?

If a station is branded as being Top Tier, it means their gas has met a certain performance standard. Here is what you can expect with a Top Tier gas: All retail locations meet the standards of the Top Tier program. All gas grades include a Top Tier approved detergent additive.

How long has shell gas been around?

The Shell name has been around a long time, over 100 years, in fact. As you might have guessed, they’ve learned a lot about gas along the way. The draw with Shell gas is its nitrogen-enriched formula. Which they claim helps remove deposit buildup and prevent further growth.

Is gas free from additives?

All gas is free from organometallic additives like Ferrocene or MMT