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on Monday, March 23, 2020
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How-To & DIY
The Proper Way to Fuel Your Tools
You wouldn’t dream of putting diesel fuel in your car’s engine or try to run a D-cell flashlight with 9-volt batteries. Common sense tells you that the result of trying to operate something with the wrong type of fuel can be futile at best, or worse – it can lead to expensive repairs.
Using the right type of fuel is critical in the safe and efficient operation of your STIHL equipment. All STIHL gasoline-powered equipment runs on a 50:1 mixture of gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil. Knowing the proper way to mix your fuel is the first step in keeping it running strong and long.
Read Your Manual
Before mixing, read your product instruction manual for additional information on fueling and fuel mixtures. If you’ve misplaced it, click here to find the instruction manual for your STIHL product.
Use the Right Container
Be sure you are using an approved gasoline container. We recommend a No-Spill® fuel container that’s specially designed to reduce spillage, evaporation or permeation.
Go Premium
When choosing gasoline to use, don’t go with the cheap stuff. Mid-grade unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 is recommended for your mixture. Fuel with a lower octane rating may increase engine temperatures, increasing the risk of piston seizure and damage to the engine.
We also recommend that you use STIHL premium quality 2-cycle oils, which are designed to deliver the highest levels of engine protection.
In the Mix
All STIHL gasoline-powered equipment uses a 50:1 gas and oil mixture. The chart below can help you figure out the correct measurements to use. For high-performance fuel that requires no mixing, choose STIHL MotoMix® premixed fuel.
Shake Things Up
Pour the oil into the canister first and then add the gasoline. Close the canister and shake it vigorously by hand to ensure proper mixing of the oil with the fuel.
Before You Mix
Before fueling, clean the fuel cap and the area around it to ensure that no dirt falls into the tank. Always position the machine so that the cap points upward. In order to reduce the risk of fuel coming in direct contact with skin and inhaling fuel vapor, remove the fuel cap carefully so as to allow any pressure build-up in the tank to release slowly.
Storing Gas & Oil Mixtures
It is recommended that you only mix sufficient fuel for a few days’ work. Fuel storage should never exceed three months. When using fuel that has been stored for any amount of time, shake the mixture in the canister before fueling your machine.