Today’s fuel stations provide a dizzying array of fuel choices, making it difficult to know just which kind to purchase for your Honda lawn mower. The color of the fuel pump handle cannot be relied upon because it can vary from one gas station to another. You must read the warning stickers on the fuel pump.
Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or above and no more than 10% ethanol is what Honda lawn mowers utilize. This fuel is frequently marketed as normal or E10 gasoline. You can locate it at your neighborhood gas station.
In this article, 4-stage (4-cycle) engines are discussed. While the majority of Honda lawn mowers on the market today have 4-stage engines, there are also several 2-cycle Honda mowers that run on a mixture of gas and oil. Read “This is the Gas to Use in a Push Mower” for more information on the 2-cycle fuel needs.
In order to avoid damaging your Honda mower’s fuel system or engine, it’s crucial to not only use the right kind of gas in it. You also need to know how to properly maintain your gasoline. Continue reading to learn more about selecting the proper gas for your mower and how to prevent fuel-related issues from occurring.
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Prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating your equipment, make sure to follow all safety guidelines contained in the operator’s manual.
If you lack the abilities, knowledge, or health to properly complete the repair, see a professional.
In This Article...
Which type of fuel should I use in my Honda lawnmower?
Regulation places restrictions on the amount of specific chemicals, such alcohol, that can be used in
while still allowing it to be marketed as gasoline. Honda motors are made for
optimum performance and operation with gasoline containing 0% to 10%
E85, a fuel blend that is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, has recently made headlines. E85
is not gasoline; it is an alternative fuel. Honda engines are neither created nor approved.
any other alternative fuel, including E85. Continually consult your owner’s manual
Can I run my lawn mower on 87 octane?
There are several options available if you want to know what fuel lawn mowers utilize. Yes, in the majority of cases, lawnmowers use ordinary gas. But not all ordinary gas has the same octane level. Regular gas typically has an octane rating of 87, which is suitable for all lawn mowers. In any case, I’ll go into further detail below on the properties of each fuel type that can be used in a lawn mower engine.
Which fuel type works best for a lawn mower?
While there are many different fuel options available for lawn mowers and other small engines used for yard work, for the best performance you may wish to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. But that’s not all; there may be more considerations when choosing the proper gasoline for your lawn mower.
Here are some crucial suggestions and things to think about:
Use 87-octane, 10% ethanol gas
As a general rule, lawn mowers should run on gas with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%. The gas should be clean and new because these fuels decay rather quickly. Utilizing fuel left over from the previous season before winter may not be a good option.
Be aware that modern gas stations also sell gasoline that contains 15% to even 85% ethanol. These cannot be used in tiny engines like weed eaters, lawnmowers, or edgers. Always double-check before pumping.
No mixing gas with engine oil
If the manufacturer does not recommend it, never mix gasoline and oil. Additionally, stay away from changing 4-stroke small engines to run on alternate fuels because doing so will harm your lawn mower’s fuel combustion system. Such damages are not covered by manufacturer warranties.
To be certain of the type of gasoline your lawn mower uses, check the label or owner’s manual to see if you have a 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoline engine.
High-altitude adjustment
To maintain emissions compliance at high altitudes more than 5,000 feet, a minimum of 85 octane gasoline is advised. If you reside in a high-altitude area, you might need to modify your engine for high altitude in order to keep your lawn mower running at its best on the suggested gas.
You might notice decreased lawn mower performance, greater pollutants, and increased fuel consumption without such an adjustment.
If you live in a colder climate, you may want to think about using gasoline that has been stored during that season to keep your engine running smoothly.
Use additives to reduce fuel degradation
Because gasoline purchased at the pump contains ethanol, you want to prevent it from deteriorating over time and harming the engine parts of your lawn mower.
Use the approved fuel additive that your lawn mower’s manufacturer suggests using to stop corrosion brought on by moisture in ethanol-based fuels.
Can I fuel my lawnmower with 91 octane?
As long as you stay away from the diesel department, any octane of gas offered at your neighborhood gas station ought to function just great in your lawnmower. Although they won’t harm the engine, high octanes won’t always increase the performance of your lawnmower. More importantly, keep an eye out for how much ethanol is contained in the gas. This number needs to be shown on the petrol station’s exterior. Lawnmowers require gas with an ethanol level of no more than 10%. As the ethanol absorbs water from the air, any more than that can cause corrosion.
Is using premium gas in a lawnmower acceptable?
For individuals who are unsure about whether premium gas is preferable for tiny engines, Most likely, the answer is negative. That is as a result of low compression ratios used in the construction of tiny engines. There is no danger of an engine knocking.
Sure, using premium gasoline won’t harm your lawn mower or string trimmer, but because it costs more, you’ll be squandering your money. Contrary to popular perception, using Premium petrol in motors that don’t need it doesn’t increase their performance or fuel efficiency.
People like my relative swear by the Premium fuel that some gas companies claim is cleaner and healthier for the engine. These assertions, however, are mainly unproven. Regular octane gas will function flawlessly if you provide your equipment routine maintenance (clean the carburetor, preserve fresh fuel, etc.).
Only if your car has a high compression ratio, which will be mentioned in your owner’s manual, will you need mid-grade or premium gas (89 octane or above). In that situation, utilizing ordinary gas might result in engine damage and knocking.
Are tiny engines better off with high octane fuel?
Which gas is ideal for small engines? Are specific types of fuel advised for use with tiny engines? Sadly, the answer to the second question is no (depending on how you want to look at it). There isn’t a specific gas that works best with little engines. They are powered by the same gas that you would use to power your truck, car, or boat. However, just because they utilize the same fuel does not mean that they are without problems with regard to the fuel you use in them.
Therefore, what becomes the focus here given that this is the case? Let’s discuss some tips for making sure the gas you purchase for your little equipment makes it run at its optimum.
Like Eggs and Butter, Fresh Gas Is Best
It’s always preferable to start your small equipment on fresh fuel if there are no other mitigating circumstances. The more volatile components of freshly blended fuel will be lost, making it difficult to start your equipment. Not to mention that new gas has an advantage in delaying the formation of varnish and gum in the fuel. You can pour used gas into the car’s petrol tank if you have some.
Don’t Worry About Octane
Small engines often won’t benefit from anything extra in the gas, such as a higher octane rating, due to their low compression ratios. Some premium fuels might even make it more difficult for your equipment to start. So use ordinary petrol to save money.
Pre-Packaged Fuel?
Cans of ethanol-free gasoline that are marketed to owners of small equipment are one outcome of the E10/E15 ethanol crisis for small engines. The price of these so-called “boutique fuels” can reach $5–8 per quart, or more than $20–30 per gallon. That even makes living in Europe, where diesel fuel costs $9 per gallon, seem affordable. What is contained in these unique fuels? It turns out that they have an equal chance of including more material. Naturally, by that we also mean that it is ethanol-free, and if you purchase that type of fuel, it may already be combined with 2-cycle oil.
Re-Fueling Tip
The operators of gas stations will advise you to top off your car before filling a gas can for your mowers or other equipment. This eliminates any leftovers of potentially high-octane fuel, which your car will benefit from more than your mower. If you want to leave fuel in there for longer than a couple of weeks, add an ethanol-specific fuel stabilizer next.
How much gasoline do I put in a four-stroke lawn mower?
Mowers with four stroke engines only use unleaded gasoline. Mowers with two strokes use a combination of regular unleaded fuel and a specialized oil. You must combine them in the proper proportion. Mowers with a 2 or 4 stroke engine cost nearly same to purchase.
For lawn mowers, is ethanol-free gas preferable?
A common gas additive is ethanol fuel. Nowadays, practically every gas station’s gas that you pump has a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. The E number represents the amount of ethanol blend. E10, for instance, denotes a gas mixture that is 90% gas and 10% ethanol. Ethanol fuel won’t significantly impair your car’s engine when used in vehicles. You face the danger of engine damage and expensive repairs when you use gas with ethanol mixture in outdoor power equipment including lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, and leaf blowers. Your small engine outdoor power equipment should be running on ethanol-free gas.
Can 87 and 91 gas be combined?
Yes, drivers are allowed to mix the two fuel kinds. According to The Drive, the mixture of gas types will produce an octane level somewhere in the center, which the vehicle “will survive.
What kind of gasoline should I put in my lawnmower?
Unleaded gasoline with an octane value of at least 87 is the finest fuel for your lawnmower (91 RON). Importantly, the gasoline cannot contain more than 10% ethanol (E10 petrol). Too much ethanol in the fuel can attract water, which sinks to the bottom and encourages the growth of germs that corrodes your lawn mower. Your lawn mower shouldn’t be powered by E15 gasoline.
Because it only contains 5% ethanol, most people use “Super Unleaded 97 or 98 RON gasoline in their lawn mowers. In tiny engines like your lawn mower, using premium fuels (such Shell V-Power) has little advantage.