Filling the Fuel Tank with
Gasoline
For best results, use clean, fresh, lead-free gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 or higher. To ensure freshness,
purchase only the quantity of gasoline that you expect to
use in 30 days. Using unleaded gasoline results in fewer
combustion deposits and longer engine life. You may
use leaded gasoline if unleaded gasoline is not available.
Important:
Do not add oil to the gasoline.
Important:
Do not use methanol, gasoline
containing methanol, gasohol containing more
than 10% ethanol, premium gasoline, or white gas.
Using these fuels can damage the engine's fuel
system.
Important:
Do not use gasoline that has been
stored since the last mowing season or longer.
DANGER
In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely
flammable and highly explosive. A fire or explosion
from gasoline can burn you and others and can
damage property.
•
Fill the fuel tank outdoors, in an open area, and
when the engine is cold. Wipe up any gasoline
that spills.
•
Do not fill the fuel tank completely full. Add
gasoline to the fuel tank until the level is 1/4 to
1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) below the bottom of the
filler neck. This empty space in the tank allows
the gasoline to expand.
•
Never smoke when handling gasoline, and stay
away from an open flame or where a spark may
ignite the gasoline fumes.
•
Store gasoline in an approved fuel container
and keep it out of the reach of children.
•
Never buy more than a 30-day supply of
gasoline.
DANGER
When fueling, under certain circumstances, a static
charge can develop, igniting the gasoline. A fire or
explosion from gasoline can burn you and others
and damage property.
•
Always place gasoline containers on the ground
and away from your vehicle before filling.
•
Do not fill gasoline containers inside a vehicle
or on a truck or trailer bed because interior
carpets or plastic truck bed liners may insulate
the container and slow the loss of any static
charge.
•
When practical, remove gasoline-powered
equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel
the equipment with its wheels on the round.
•
If this is not possible, then refuel such
equipment on a truck or trailer from a portable
container, not from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
•
If you must use a gasoline dispenser nozzle,
keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the
fuel tank or container opening at all times until
fueling is complete.
Use a fuel stabilizer/conditioner regularly during
operation and storage. A stabilizer/conditioner cleans
the engine during operation and prevents gum-like
varnish deposits from forming in the engine during
periods of storage.
Important:
Do not use fuel additives other than
a fuel stabilizer/conditioner. Do not use fuel
stabilizers with an alcohol base such as ethanol,
methanol, or isopropanol.
1. Clean around the fuel tank cap (Figure 13).
13
