Getting a new lawnmower is quite exciting but make the mistake of presuming you know what kind of petrol to use, you run the risk of damaging your mower’s motor and voiding your warranty if you use the incorrect type!
Therefore, it is vitally important to ensure you are utilising the correct type of petrol for your model to ensure efficient operation for many years to come! Particular guidelines for your model should be given in the manufacturers manual, but in general, let’s take a look at what petrol is ideal for Australian lawnmowers.
The Best Type of Fuel for Your Lawn Mower Depends on The Engine!
Regular unleaded petrol with a minimum octane rating of 87or above and no more than 10% ethanol is widely accepted as the ideal petrol choice for a four-stroke lawnmower.
Two-stroke lawnmowers typically utilise the same sort of petrol as four-stroke lawnmowers, but this type of lawnmower requires the addition of high-quality two-cycle engine oil.
While standard petrol can be purchased at your local service station for use in your gas push lawn mower, only fuel with no more than 10% ethanol is advised. Most service stations sell gasoline that contains up to 85% ethanol, which is bad for tiny engines like gas lawn mowers and lawn edgers.
Is Premium or Regular Petrol Better for a Gas Lawnmower?
In your lawnmower, you may use premium high-octane fuel, such as 91 and 93. But since most engines are built to run on low-octane gasoline, anything greater than that can easily destroy the mower’s fuel system.
Furthermore, even though premium gas costs 5 to 20 cents per gallon more than ordinary petrol, there are usually no benefits. To obtain any benefit from higher octane levels, you’ll need a higher compression ratio.
Consult your manufacturers manual to see what sort of petrol your mower’s manufacturers suggest. Sticking to their instructions is recommended since any faults caused by using the incorrect fuel can void the warranty. Most lawn mowers operate on ordinary gasoline, but others demand higher octane or even diesel.
In other words, there’s no harm in using premium petrol in your lawn mower, but don’t expect it to boost its performance.
How to Fill Your Lawn Mower with Petrol
While this may sound like a stupid question, if you’ve never put petrol in a mower before, it may be a perplexing chore. After all, it’s not the same as filling up your vehicle or motorcycle with gasoline.
First, locate your mower’s gasoline tank; it will usually resemble a plastic jug on the top, front or even side of your engine. It should then be easy to locate the fuel cap, which is usually black and has a sign on top that clearly shows that the container is for gasoline.
Remove the gasoline cap (it’s usually a threaded one; simply twist it off) and insert a funnel into the opening. You won’t need the funnel if your gasoline has a pouring nozzle; it’s only to keep the gas from leaking when you pour it.
Finally, pour the petrol into the funnel or opening with care. As you fill up the mower tank, you’ll be able to monitor the gasoline level, so make sure you stop pouring before it gets too full. Now your lawnmower is ready to use.
Safety Recommendation: Do Not Combine Petrol with Engine Oil
If the manufacturer does not suggest it, do not combine fuel and oil. Also, don’t try to convert 4-stroke small engines to run on different fuels since it will harm your lawn mower’s fuel combustion system. Manufacturers’ warranties do not cover such damages, so check the label or the manufacturer’s handbook to be sure about the type of fuel your lawn mower uses to see if it’s a 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoline engine.
Safety Recommendation: Adapt Petrol at High Altitudes
To stay emissions-compliant at high elevations above 5,000 feet, a minimum of 85 octane fuel is suggested. If you reside in a high-altitude area, you may need to modify your engine for high altitude to keep your lawnmower running at its best on the suggested gas. If you do not make this modification, you may suffer lower lawn mower performance, higher emissions, and greater fuel consumption.
Tips for Storing Lawn Mower Engine Fuel
Fuel can begin to degrade in as little as 30 days if it is not kept clean and fresh, so then a gasoline stabiliser is required for a fuel system not utilised regularly. Winter usually means a break for your lawnmower as well as other gas-powered outdoor equipment like lawn edgers, brush cutters, and hedge trimmers.
But just because you’re not utilising your equipment doesn’t mean danger isn’t on the way. In fact, your mower is more prone to develop issues during its winter slumber than when it gets its weekly workout in the summer.
The engine’s warranty restrictions do not cover issues that arise due to fuel deterioration. Therefore, remember to add a fuel stabiliser to a full tank of petrol if you’re going to be storing your mower for more than 30 days. This will prevent the gas from breaking down and causing damage to the engine and carburettor of the mower. This will stabilise the fuel for up to 24 months of long-term storage.
You don’t need to drain expensive gasoline from your little engine to store your equipment if you use fuel treatment properly:
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions before adding fuel treatment.
- Run the engine for 2 minutes to allow the stabiliser to circulate through the fuel system.
To Conclude
While many different petrol types are available for lawnmowers and other small engines used for yard maintenance, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the best results. But that’s not all; when choosing the correct sort of gasoline for your lawnmower, there are several additional things to consider, like the helpful tips listed in this article.
