- Fuel Basics. While most John Deere riding mowers use diesel or unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher, some have been converted to use propane.
- Ethanol Concerns. It's important that the gasoline you choose doesn't have more than a certain amount of ethanol. ...
- Adding Stabilizer. John Deere recommends adding its fuel stabilizer to the gasoline whenever you refuel your tank. The part number is TY27534 at the time of publication.
- Proper Fueling. When fueling your riding mower, keep in mind how long the gas has been sitting in the tank. ...
Does a lawn mower take regular gas?
Yes, lawn mowers can run on regular or premium gas. However, regular unleaded gas alone is recommended for most of the 4-stroke engines with 87 or more octane rating. The best gas for your lawnmower will be the one recommended by your manufacturer.
Why is my lawn mower not getting fuel?
Signs your lawn mower is not getting gas
- Lawn mower won’t start completely. If you totally can’t get your mower to start, there could be issues with the efficiency of fuel flow to the engine.
- Riding lawn mower starts then stops running. If your fuel tank is full, but your mower still comes to a stop after just a few seconds, it’s highly likely that ...
- No gasoline odor. ...
What type of oil does a gas lawn mower use?
Four-stroke lawn mower engines use regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and 10% or less ethanol. You can also use premium gas with a higher octane rating such as 91 and 93. Two-cycle lawn mowers can use the same regular or premium gas mixed with good two-cycle engine oil.
What type of gasoline do common push lawn mowers use?
The best gas to use in a lawn mower depends on the engine type. Most four-stroke engines use fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. You might opt to use gas that contains not more than 10% ethanol.
Do riding mowers take regular gas?
Most of the time, yes, mowers take regular gas. However, not all regular gas has the exact same octane. Typically regular gas is 87 octane which works fine for all lawn mowers.
What kind of gas does a riding lawn mower use?
Most four-stroke engines use fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. You might opt to use gas that contains not more than 10% ethanol. Mowers with two-stroke engines use fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher but with an addition of high-quality two-cycle engine oil.
Is it OK to use premium gas in a lawn mower?
Sure, you won't hurt your lawn mower or string trimmer by putting in Premium gasoline, but you'll be wasting your money since it's more expensive. Contrary to popular belief, Premium gas does not improve fuel efficiency or performance in motors that don't require it.
What gasoline is best for lawn mower?
What is the best small engine or lawn mower gas?Clean and fresh - fuel can begin to deteriorate in as little as 30 days.A minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON); If operating at high altitude, see below.Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), is acceptable.More items...
How do you tell if a lawn mower is 2-stroke or 4-stroke?
Fuel Types The simplest way to tell between the two engine types is to look at how they are fueled. Mowers with 2-stroke engines will have one fuel filler for the gas and oil mix they run on. Mowers with 4-stroke engines have two fillers, one for gasoline and one for oil.
Do lawn mowers take Mixed gas?
If your lawnmower has a 2-stroke engine, it needs mixed gas, so you are ok. If your lawnmower has a 4-stroke engine and uses mixed gas, it can cause the engine to choke, overheat, and cause the engine to smoke.
Can I use 87 octane 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 you use 93 octane in riding lawn mower?
Related Articles. Premium gas, such as 93 octane, helps high-powered cars run smoothly and efficiently. It's also more expensive than other types of gas, such as 87 octane. There's no need to run a small lawnmower engine on high-octane gas, but it won't hurt your lawnmower, either.
Can you mix 87 and 91 gas?
Yes, drivers can mix the two types of fuel. The combined gas types will result in an octane level somewhere in the middle — something the vehicle “will survive,” according to The Drive.
Should I use non ethanol gas in my riding lawn mower?
Non-Ethanol gas is the best option for your smaller summer engine equipment, machinery, and recreational vehicles. This includes chainsaws, lawn mowers, and motorcycles.
Do I need to mix gas and oil in my lawnmower?
Since all 2-cycle small engines use the same fill port for both fuel and oil, a 2-cycle oil mix is necessary for your outdoor power equipment to function properly. The Specific oil/gas ratio for your lawn mower, snow blower or power washer can be obtained in your Operator's Manual.
Can I use super unleaded in my 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.
Do I need to mix gas and oil in my lawnmower?
Since all 2-cycle small engines use the same fill port for both fuel and oil, a 2-cycle oil mix is necessary for your outdoor power equipment to function properly. The Specific oil/gas ratio for your lawn mower, snow blower or power washer can be obtained in your Operator's Manual.
Do lawn mowers need oil in the gas?
Lawn mowers that run on internal combustion engines burn gasoline as fuel, and like any engine with metal parts, your lawn mower requires oil to lubricate the pistons and other moving parts. The oil reduces friction between moving metal parts and protects the life of your engine.
What is the best fuel for small engines?
When it comes to fuel, your best bet for a small engine is gasoline with an 89 octane rating.
Are lawn mowers 2 cycle?
And what's the difference? As 2 cycle mowers have been phased out across the US, most lawn mowers are now 4 cycle. In a 2 stroke (or 2 cycle) engine, the gasoline and oil must be mixed. For a 4 stroke (or 4 cycle) engine, the oil and the gasoline are separated, in two different tanks.
What is the best gas for a lawn mower?
As a rule of thumb, a minimum of 87-octane containing up to 10% ethanol is the recommended gas for lawn mowers. Ensure that the gas is fresh and clean as these fuels degrade rather quickly. It might not be a good idea to use leftover fuel from last season before winter.
What kind of gas do lawnmowers use?
The best gas to use in a lawn mower depends on the engine type. Most four-stroke engines use fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. You might opt to use gas that contains not more than 10% ethanol.
What is the ethanol content of gas for lawn mowers?
You can use either regular gas rated at 87 octanes or premium gas that’s rated higher at 91 or 93. Do not use gas that contains excess ethanol. Lawn mowers need 10% ethanol content in gas.
What octane does a lawn mower use?
Overall, lawn mowers use octane gasoline that has the following qualities: Is fresh and clean. Contains a minimum octane rating of 87. Has up to 10% ethanol or less. Pro tip: Do not mix oil in gasoline or modify your mower’s engine to run on alternate fuels. It might cause damage and void your manufacturer’s warranty.
How to decide what gas to use for lawn mower?
If you are trying to decide what gas is most appropriate for your lawn mower, the first step is to read your owner’s manual to see what gasoline the manufacturers require. It is advisable to stick to the manual because any defects arising from using the wrong gasoline breaches warranty. The next step involves the compression ratio ...
What does it mean to use premium gas?
If the manual recommends premium gas, it means that you ought to use it. If you use regular gas instead, the engine will be damaged. On the other hand, if it requires you to use regular gas, you MUST use it, period. In the absence of such a requirement, the best fuel for your lawn more is gas:
Is it safe to use premium gas in lawn mowers?
That being said, there is no harm in using premium gas in your lawn mower but don’t expect that it will improve your mower’s performance.
What is the ethanol limit for lawn mowers?
In fact, recently the EPA raised the allowable ethanol limit to 15 percent for some motor vehicles. But right now, millions of lawn mowers, snow blowers and other lawn and garden products are in use throughout the U.S., which were not designed to run on fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol.
What is the minimum octane for unleaded gas?
Get the right gas. Buy only unleaded gas with a minimum 87 octane rating.
How long can you buy Toro fuel stabilizer?
Only buy enough for 30 days or less and add a fuel stabilizer the first day you get it. Toro offers a premium fuel treatment that could be purchased through a dealer or online.
What type of fuel is used to clean a lawn mower?
This is another high-quality Shell petrol that can be used to clean your lawn mower’s engine, as well as improve the overall performance of older machines. The company claims that this Shell 17466 V-Power Professional XTR 5W30 fuel has fortified detergent additives that will help control deposit formation.
How much gas does a lawn mower use?
Generally speaking, if the lawn mower runs continuously with one full tank of gasoline, it can cover an area of about half an acre.
How do I store lawn mower fuel and prevent it from going stale?
The ethanol in gasoline is an active agent that attracts and absorbs water from even the smallest amounts of humidity present in the air. This makes the long-term storage of gasoline problematic, as over time it will separate into a watery solution on top and a denser alcohol/gasoline mixture on the bottom (a process called phase separation). The gasoline you buy has a chemical added to it to keep this from happening, but if the storage conditions are right then the water will eventually start forming in your gas can or lawn mower tank.
What is Ethanol and what can it do to my small engine?
Ethanol (also known as alcohol or grain alcohol) is an alternative fuel used in engines instead of petrol/gasoline. It has been used in Brazil and the United States for many years to reduce oil dependence and support their agricultural markets. It is also used as a gasoline additive to improve the octane rating and reduce carbon monoxide emissions thanks to its high oxygen content.
Do I need a fuel stabilizer for a lawnmower?
In a word: no. The gasoline you buy today should be good for at least a year before it starts to lose its effectiveness as a fuel.But as mentioned above, adding a quality gas stabilizer is never a bad idea, and the winter months are an excellent opportunity to do just that.
What is ethanol made of?
Ethanol is made from fermenting various types of biomass such as corn, sugarcane or even grasses like switchgrass. The problem with this alternative fuel is that it’s corrosive. For example, a study conducted by the University of Minnesota found that a new 2-stroke lawn mower suffered a decrease in fuel economy and an increase in fuel consumption after continuous use of gasoline with 10% ethanol content for two full seasons.
What is the best cleaner for a lawn mower?
This Chevron 65740 Techron Concentrate Plus fuel system cleaner is an excellent choice if you need to maintain your lawn mower’s engine. It will remove the deposits of varnish, carbon or gums that have formed in small engines over time. The additive creates a protective cushion on the fuel injector tips, intake valves and piston crowns.
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.
How to stabilize a mower fuel system?
Refer to the instructions on the additive bottle for mixing. I use a product called Sea Foam Fuel Treatment to stabilize and clean a mower’s fuel system. Read more about the advantages of using Sea Foam in this article.
What happens if you put ethanol in your mower?
Separated ethanol will be fed through the engine causing ignition problems for your mower. Ethanol can leave gummy deposits damaging your fuel components.
How to find ethanol in gasoline?
Read the label on the fuel pump to find the amount of ethanol included in a gasoline. You will also find the octane level on a label or button on your fuel pump. Beware of fuels that contain higher levels of ethanol often sold as E15 and E85 gasolines. These fuels can cause significant engine damage as they contain a level of ethanol at 15 percent and 85% respectively.
How long does gas last?
Gasoline does not have a long shelf life. It can begin to break down and lose its effectiveness as soon as 30 days. It is best to buy gas from a busy gas station and only buy a supply that can be used within 30 days.
How long should I store gas?
Store any extra fuel in an approved fuel container away from any moisture. If you are unable to use your gas within the 30-day period , it is best to stabilize your fuel to prevent moisture buildup. I explain more in the next section.
Is ethanol good for gasoline?
Don’t use gasoline with an ethanol content greater than 10 percent. The lower the ethanol level, the better. Ethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel additive found in fuels today. While the addition of ethanol may be more environmentally sound than fuels without ethanol, it is not good to run in the small engine of your John Deere mower.
Do you need to add a stabilizer to non-ethanol fuel?
It is best to add a fuel additive to your fuel to keep it from retaining moisture and separating. This is recommended for all gas that contains ethanol. You do not need to add a stabilizer to non-ethanol fuels, although it won’t hurt if you do.
What kind of fuel do lawn mowers use?
The mower's owners manual should outline the specific recommendations for your model, but in general, mowers use high-grade unleaded fuel or a fuel-oil mix.
How much gas does a Briggs and Stratton 2 stroke mower use?
The proportions vary by brand, but in Briggs & Stratton two-stroke mowers, for example, the proportions are 50 parts gas to 1 part oil. Another important thing to note: If you're going to be storing your mower for more ...
What happens if you use the wrong fuel for a lawn mower?
If you use the wrong type, you could do damage to your mower's engine, and in some cases, you could void your warranty.