Lawn mower gasoline type. Gas For Lawn Mower – Ideas, Formulas, And Shortcuts

Gas For Lawn Mower – Ideas, Formulas, And Shortcuts

Lawn mowing may not be the most glamorous of tasks, but it’s essential. And if your lawn mower runs on gas, you’ll need to ensure you’re using the right gas.

You might be wondering what type of gas to use for your lawn mower. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of gas and their benefits and drawbacks when using them for lawn mowing. We’ll also provide a list of the best lawn mowers for using each kind of gas. If you want to save money or get the job done efficiently, read on to find out more!

Gas For Lawn Mower – Mistake You’re Making

The purpose of lawn mower gas is to provide the energy needed to run the engine and turn the blades. The lawn mower’s engine burns the gas, creating a chemical reaction that produces heat and releases energy. The heat and power are used to turn the blades and cut the grass.

You can use gas for lawn mowers with or without oil in them. Some people even choose to add oil to their gas tanks because it makes the fuel burn more evenly and slowly.

Lawn mower engines are designed to run on a specific fuel type, so you should not try to substitute one type of gas for another unless your owner’s manual has given you explicit instructions.

Mistakes People Often Do While Running Their Mower With Gas

Types of Gas For Lawn Mower

Today’s market offers a variety of alternatives to traditional fuel, including electric-powered mowers and mowers that run on propane or natural gas.

Gasoline

A gallon of gasoline contains about 33.7-kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy. A typical car engine can convert about 20 percent of this energy into useful power — so a gallon of gas will give you about 8 kWh of usable power at full throttle.

A typical lawn mower engine uses around 3 gallons per hour under normal operating conditions, which means it uses about 24 kWh per hour (more than 2 times as much as a car). So if you’re using a gasoline-powered mower with a 100 cc engine (about 1/10th the size of an average car engine), it would take about 5 hours to use up one gallon of gasoline — or around 200 hours (or more than 10 days) to drain an entire tank!

Ethanol

Ethanol is an alcohol product made from corn or other plants that can mix with gasoline in varying percentages depending on where you live and what engine you have installed on your lawn mower.

87 Octane Gasoline

87 Octane Gasoline for lawn mower is specially formulated to run lawn mowers, snow throwers, chain saws, leaf blowers, and other small engines. It is a high-octane fuel that provides more power than regular unleaded gasoline. The higher octane number means that it can use in higher compression engines without the risk of pinging or pre-detonation.

87 Octane gas is used in large equipment, high-compression cars, and motorcycles. The octane rating on 87 octane gasoline is 87 (RM)/2.

Regular vs. Premium Gasoline

If you’re using regular gas, it’s usually less expensive than premium. However, if you’re using a small engine like a lawn mower, using premium fuel may not be worth the small amount of money you save.

The main difference between regular and premium fuel is the octane rating. Octane rating measures how much compression an engine can handle before the air-fuel mixture explodes in the combustion chamber and damages the engine. The higher the octane number, the more reduction an engine can handle before detonation occurs.

Octane ratings are measured from zero to 100 as Research Octane Numbers (RON). The average octane rating of gasoline is 87 RON (91 RON for premium).

Type of Gas to Avoid In Lawn Mowers

Here are some types of gas to avoid for lawn mowers:

Ethanol blended fuels (10% or more ethanol). Ethanol-blended fuels cause problems with carburetors and other fuel system components in two ways :

• High Content: If the ethanol content is high enough (15% or more), it will dissolve rubber gaskets and seals, causing them to deteriorate faster than normal. This may cause leaks in the fuel system and make it hard to start the engine.
• Too Much Ethanol: Suppose too much ethanol is present in an engine that has not been designed for it. In that case, it will break down plastic components over time – especially if they are exposed to high temperatures such as those created by idling while warming up an engine on a cold day.

FAQs

How do I know when my lawn mower needs gas?

If your lawn mower fails to start or if it sputters while running, then you probably need some gas.

How much gas should I put in my lawn mower?

Fill up your tank until it reaches its full capacity mark (the one underneath the filler cap).

Why is lawn mower gas so expensive?

Gasoline are based on the cost of crude oil. The price of crude oil often fluctuates, which in turn affects the price of gasoline.

Conclusion

This article provides you with all the necessary information about buying and using a gas lawn mower. By following the tips and tricks we have shared, you can use your lawn mower accurately and keep it running efficientl

How Much Gas Does a Lawnmower Use?

All homeowners need to mow their lawn regularly to keep it good looking. Most of them do the mowing themselves; in fact, many enjoy mowing the lawn themselves. To keep your mower rolling, you need to fill the gas tank. The type and amount of gas to use can vary depending on the type of mower. How much gas will my mower need per acre, what kind of gas to use, and how to save gas when mowing is among the basic questions that new and inexperienced mower owners usually have. We’ll provide you all the relative information in this regard.

How Much Gas Does a Lawnmower Use?

Walk-behind or push mowers usually have a tank from 1 to 3 qts. Generally, a push mower does about half an acre per tank. Riding mowers have a bigger engine and are often used for bigger lawns or rough terrains involving more acceleration. For this reason, the fuel consumption needs of a riding mower are usually higher as compared to push mowers. A medium-sized riding mower generally has a gas capacity of around two gallons at most. For larger riding mowers and tractors, a capacity of three to four gallons is not uncommon.

What type of gas does my Lawn Mower use?

The type of gas not only depends on the kind of mower but also on the working environment. There are some general guidelines, though. For example, according to experts, any gas with more than 10% ethanol should not be used, or else your engine might end up damaged after only two fill-ups.

For the most specific and accurate answer on the amount of gas and the gas type you should consult the owner’s manual that came with the mower.

Having made the basics clear, let’s get into the details of gas capacities of some common mower types, how to fill gas in a lawnmower, and other essential things to keep in mind regarding gas lawnmowers.

• 1 How Much Gas to Put in a Gas Lawnmower?

• 1.1 Push Mowers:
• 1.2 Riding Mowers:
• 1.3 Tractor Styled and Commercial Mowers:

• 2.1 Use Fresh Unleaded Fuel:
• 2.2 Use Fuel Stabilizer:
• 2.3 Altitude Adjustments:

• 3.1 Gas Types for Four-Stroke and Two-Stroke Engines:

• 4.1 Locate the Tank:
• 4.2 Remove the Cap:
• 4.3 Fill Up:
• 4.4 Put the Cap Back On:

• 6.1 How can I remove fuel from my lawnmower?
• 6.2 Can car fuel be used in lawnmowers?

How Much Gas to Put in a Gas Lawnmower?

As said earlier, the most specific and accurate answer to this question depends on the type, make, and model of your mower, and you can consult your owner’s manual for this answer. However, there are a few basic types of lawnmowers based on the intensity of duty and weight of the machine, etc. These types include walk-behind lawnmowers called push mowers, riding mowers of which there are a couple of types, and larger tractors. These mowers’ gas capacity is general information for lawnmower owners and having a basic knowledge of these things is good if you are planning on being one.

Usually, “per acre” is used as a unit to measure the quantity of gas used in mowers. And similarly, the cost of fuel is also calculated per acre, generally.

Push Mowers:

Push mowers are mostly intended for smaller, level areas and lighter duties. There aren’t many bumps involved, so the fuel consumption is lower. The fuel capacity of household push mowers is generally half a liter at most, and you can mow half an acre in one tank. Therefore, two tanks or one liter is sufficient enough for an acre. Some push mower models may have a little higher gas capacity, which can be found in the manual.

Riding Mowers:

When it comes to heavier duty, uneven ground with bumps, and higher acceleration, a push mower can no longer adequately serve the purpose. So, riding mowers are used for mowing rough terrains. Riding mowers further have types based on size. For smaller riding mowers, the fuel consumption per acre is 20% to 40% more than push mowers. Medium-sized riding mowers typically have a capacity of around 2 gallons of gas.

Tractor Styled and Commercial Mowers:

Larger riding mowers and tractor styled mowers can go up to two to three gallons. Commercial type mowers consume more gas per acre compared to homeowner mowers. The largest commercial type mowers can hold five to six gallons, which enable operators to mow for extended periods of time.

How to Save Gas?

Who doesn’t want to save gas when saving gas translates directly to saving money?

There are some methods and techniques that, when followed, can help you save gas and, ultimately, money. So, these considerations should always be kept in mind.

Use Fresh Unleaded Fuel:

The most important thing to remember is always to use fresh unleaded fuel. If you let the gas stay in the engine for too long without using or use old fuel, it will start breaking down in the engine, reducing your mower’s performance. With decreased performance, you will be forced to use more fuel for the same output, increasing the total price per acre. Mixing fresh gas with old gas is not a great idea, either. The old gas will contaminate the fresh gas, and you will end up dumping both the old and new.

Use Fuel Stabilizer:

If you have a full tank of gas in your lawnmower, but you want to store your mower for later use, you should use a fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel intact. A fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from evaporating and help preserve the fuel quality.

Altitude Adjustments:

Without proper adjustments at higher altitudes, the performance of a lawnmower decreases, leading to more fuel usage. Above 5,000 ft. altitude adjustments are a must. In addition to altitude, bumps, accelerations, roughness, etc., should also be considered. Maneuvering the mower at a steady pace in these conditions will lower gas consumption and save money.

What Type of Gas to Use?

All lawnmowers don’t use the same type of gas, and to be completely sure about the type of gas you should be using, refer to the owner’s manual. However, some general guidelines must be followed for the gas type.

Lawnmower engines generally use high-grade unleaded fuels and fuel-oil mixtures. For a home owned lawnmower, the fuel should have a minimum octane rating of 87.

Gasoline with greater than 10% ethanol must never be used in lawnmowers. On the other hand, gas with above 15% MTEB is a good choice.

Gas choice also depends on altitude. For altitudes above 5,000ft., the minimum octane rating of the fuel should be 85.

Mixing parts of gasoline and oil depending on the specific needs of an engine is also not uncommon. Mixing 50 parts gas to 1 part of the oil is a common practice for many mower owners.

Gas Types for Four-Stroke and Two-Stroke Engines:

For a four-stroke engine, go with gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or more. The fuel should be fresh and unleaded.

You can use the same gas in a two-stroke engine, but it’s recommended to add two-cycle engine oil.

How to Fill Gas?

Filling gas in your lawnmower follows the following four steps that are easy enough:

Locate the Tank:

The gas tank in most mowers is usually located on a side on or at the back. The gas tank is covered and hidden in some mowers and has to be found under a cover or from a symbol.

Remove the Cap:

Mostly, the cap is removed by rotating it counter-clockwise. In some cases, the cap is locked in place, or a key is needed to open it.

Fill Up:

Use a nozzle or funnel to avoid spilling or splashes. Pay attention to the fill line of your gas tank.

Put the Cap Back On:

The final step is to put the cap back on and tighten it, and then you are good to go.

Can you use Car Gas in your Lawnmowers?

In many cases, the answer is yes if the car fuel is unleaded and does not have more than 10% ethanol, it’s safe to be used in the mower.

To confirm that your car fuel is safe for the mower, you can consult the manual or get info from the internet.

Related Questions:

How can I remove fuel from my lawnmower?

You can use a liquid hand pump with one side in the mower’s fuel tank and the other in the gas can. Make sure the fuel line is disconnected before you do so.

Can car fuel be used in lawnmowers?

Refer to the owner’s manual for the most specific and correct answer. But generally, yes. Just make sure that the octane rating of the fuel you are using is in the right range, and the fuel has less than 10% ethanol.

Final Remarks:

Lawnmowers are expensive machines, and all owners desire for their mowers to have a longer life span. Choosing the correct type of fuel for your mower based on the make and model and intended use and operation environment and keeping the gas in the fuel tank at the right level sure helps in a good performance and increased life of the mower. You can get all info about the type and amount of gas for your mower from the owner’s manual, but some general guidelines should be followed. For example, ethanol in the gas should be less than 10%, etc.

About Us

This blog is written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts. Together we put a lot of effort into the maintenance of our gardens over the last few years, we become obsessed with it. Nearly every weekend you will find us doing small or big jobs or just enjoying our garden. We like to help other people maintaining their garden and find cool products to write about.

LEGAL INFORMATION

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.

Should You Use Regular or Premium Gas in Your Lawn Mower?

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon and other similar affiliate programs.

A lot of people are under the misconception that their lawn mower’s engine will run better if they use premium gas rather than regular. Even for car engines, I’ve heard a lot of people say that their car will run “cleaner” on “higher quality” gas. While premium gas is listed as “required” for some engines, using regular gas is usually always absolutely fine.

You’re probably wondering if it’s better to put regular or premium gas in your lawn mower…

You should use regular gas in your lawn mower. Running a smaller engine on premium gas isn’t necessary. Premium gas is designed for engines with a higher compression ratio which are generally found in high powered cars. While premium gas may not hurt your mower’s engine, it will hurt your wallet.

You won’t benefit from the extra cost of premium gas. As always, make sure you refer to the owner’s manual for guidance on what fuel to use in your mower.

What’s the difference between premium and regular gas?

The title given to a certain type of gas depends on the octane number of the fuel.

In the US, regular gas has an octane level of 87 and premium gas an octane level of 91-93.

This definition can slightly vary by state in the US.

The octane number

The octane number is a measurement of the knock resistance of a fuel. Higher octane fuel can allow the use of higher compression ratios. Without boring you with what happens in a combustion chamber, all you need to know is that higher octane numbers are appropriate for high performance engines that compress the mixture more than a normal engine.Use a fuel stabilizer!Adding a fuel stabiliser to your fuel is one of the best ways you can preserve your mower’s engine. STA-BIL (link to Amazon) works in all gasoline and ethanol blended fuels.

The general assumption about premium gas for lawn mowers

The word “premium” tends to imply that something is better. Especially compared to something labeled as “regular”. The general assumption is that a premium is of higher quality and will lead to increased engine lifetime, decreased emissions and better performance.

In reality, you won’t get any of these benefits from using premium fuel in your mower. You certainly won’t get more power from using premium gas!

In the context of fuel, how well a particular type functions depends on the type of engine its being used in. If you tried to run a high-performance engine on too low of an octane fuel, the engine will not as well as it possibly could. Luckily for you, your lawn mower’s engine is not a high-performance engine. An engine that’s designed to run on regular fuel isn’t going to see any benefit from using a higher-octane option.

The overwhelming majority of car engines in the US need regular gas. The only reason to purchase fuel with a higher-octane rating is to prevent knocking on high performance engines.

Premium starting fluidThis premium starting fluid (link to Amazon) from Preston is pretty useful too. It helps start engines with either too little or too much fuel.

Why premium gas costs more than regular gas

Premium gas can be significantly more expensive, but why does it cost so much more?

There’s no standalone reason why premium gas is more expensive than regular gas. Two of the gas companies can simply charge more because there is less competition. It’s also harder to produce.

What type of gas is best for lawn mowers?

I’d recommend using a fuel with an octane rating of 87 octane or higher for all of your mower’s. There’s not really any need to go higher. 89-93 octane fuels are designed for high powered cars and vehicles.

It’s not just about the octane number…

The ethanol concentration is important too. Ethanol can absorb moisture which can cause issues with your carburetor. It’s recommended that your fuel mix contains no more than 10% ethanol or you could face problems when trying to start your lawn mower.

In general, ethanol can be but it’s not something to worry about if you’re using the fuel frequently and it’s not sitting for a long period of time.

I like this ethanol-free fuel (link to Amazon) for 4-cycle engines. It’s pre-blended and can be used in all different types of outdoor power equipment.

How to know what fuel to use in your lawn mower

If the manufacturer doesn’t recommend a certain type of fuel for your mower then you probably shouldn’t be using it. Using an incorrect fuel could potentially cause damage to the components which can be very costly.

I’d recommend referring to the owner’s manual. If you no longer have access to that then you can try googling the serial number to find more information about your mower’s engine requirements.

In Summary

You have a few options when it comes deciding on which fuel you should use in your lawn mower. Whichever you decide to choose, the gas should be fresh and clean. Ideally, you should add some stabilizer to keep the fuel from degrading which can lead to issues starting the mower and poor performance.

They key takeaway is that there is no benefit if the octane is higher than what the engine requires.

Your mower will run just fine on regular gas. It will not run any better on premium fuel so don’t waste your hard-earned money buying more expensive fuel.

In general, I’d recommend using the lowest octane fuel you can find.

Here are some of my favorite lawn care products

Thanks a lot for making it to the end of this post! I hope you found it useful. Here are some lawn care products that I use and that I think you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission.

In all honesty, these are some of the basic products that I use and recommend to everyone.

Broadcast Spreader

This Scotts Elite dual rotary spreader is not a professional grade model but it’s excellent for homeowners.

I really like the edge guard on it. It’s really easy to switch on and off so it’s great for going around my driveway and flower beds.

If you’re not looking to spend hundreds of dollars, I’d definitely recommend this model. It spreads out a wide path and is great quality for the cost.

Backpack Sprayer

This 4-Gallon sprayer is my absolute favorite. It sprays for a really long time. I’ve had this sprayer for quite a while and I’ve never had the battery run out.

The adjustable pressure switch is a really import feature to me.

You can order a lot of accessories for this model but I’ve never really found much of a need for it.

Head Aerator

Hand aerators are great for small spots if you’ve got construction debris or a spot that constantly dries out.

You can also fill these holes with organic matter that will hold a bit more moisture.

This one by Yard Butler is an absolute bargain. It pulls nice long cores. I also use it for taking soil samples around the yard!

What Kind of Gas Does a Lawn Mower Use? (Ideal Fuel Type)

Fuel comes in many types, including regular and premium. Using the right gas in your lawn mower improves fuel efficiency, boosts performance, and increases the engine’s life. So, what type of fuel does a lawn mower use?

Lawn mower engine needs fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher and an ethanol content of 10% or less. In 2-stroke engines, 2-cycle engine oil must be mixed with gasoline for the necessary lubrication.

Using a wrong type of fuel can damage your lawn mower engine or impair how it performs. If your lawn mower won’t start, idles roughly, stalls out, or makes a “knocking” sound, then check if you have the right type of fuel.

What Type of Gas for Lawn Mower?

According to Briggs and Stratton, good gasoline for your lawn mower must meet the following requirements:

• The gas must be clean and fresh. It takes about 30 days for fuel to start deteriorating, especially if it has not been stabilized.
• The gas should have a minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON) if you are operating at a high altitude above 5,000 feet (1524 meters).
• Gas with up to 10% ethanol is acceptable for small engines or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) for four-stroke engines.
• Canned fuel products that combine ethanol-free unleaded gasoline with a fuel stabilizer are also accepted for lawnmowers.
• The fuel must meet the RVP rating of the region. This is a measure of fuel volatility in various temperatures. Gasoline refineries lower fuel RVP in summer and raise it in winter.

Regular or Premium Gas for Lawn Mower?

You’ve heard about regular and premium gas, especially in automobiles. To this point, everyone knows that premium gasoline performs better than regular gasoline. But the truth is that premium gas only works effectively in specific engine models.

Octane rating is what makes regular gas different from premium gas. Regular gas has an octane rating of 87, while premium gas has an octane rating of 91 to 93. Fuel with a higher octane rating can stand up to higher compression before it detonates, thus reducing cases of knocking” or “pinging” in the engine.

Engines with high compression ratings or turbochargers often require high-octane fuel in premium gas for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. This is why you don’t need to use premium gas in a lawn mower or any other small engine.

Stabilizing Fuel for Lawn Mower before Storage

Regardless of gasoline type, the fuel must be stabilized when winterizing a lawn mower or storing it for longer. Unused fuel takes about 30 days to deteriorate. Bad fuel attracts moisture in the engine and clogs the fuel lines.

Adding a stabilizer to the fuel keeps it fresh for at least 24 months. There is usually a recommended ratio of mixing fresh gas with stabilizer; you can get it on the product label.

Once you have stabilized the fuel, fill it into the tank to 95% capacity leaving a small room for gas expansion in hot conditions.

It is not right to store a lawn mower with an empty fuel tank, as some sources suggest. In freezing temperatures, the humid air in the tank will condense to form water droplets. This will cause corrosion in the tank and the fuel lines.

Where to Get Gas for Lawn Mower

You can get lawn mower gas at various gas stations. Some stores also sell stabilized canned fuel. Remember to mix your fuel with a 2-cycle oil if operating a two-stroke engine. Four strokes engine lawn mowers have separate compartments for oil and fuel.

Gasoline vary from one place to the other. The variation in costs depends on the type of fuel available and the volume you are buying.

If you decide to buy your petrol in a canister or jerrycan, you have more work to do. You will have to pour the gasoline into the lawnmower tank yourself.

How to put Gas in a Lawn Mower from a Can

Learning how to put gas in a lawn mower directly from the jerrycan is important. Some people have accidentally put gas in the oil tank and vice versa. Here is how to do it the right way.

• Move your lawn mower to flat ground, turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire.
• Locate the gas tank on your lawn mower. The small tank can either be on the side or under the seat.
• On the tank, search for the gasoline receptacle. It is usually coved with a black cap, and for some models, it bears a gas pump symbol.
• Remove the gas cap by twisting it in a clockwise direction. Some lawn models provide a key for locking and opening the gas cap.
• Place a funnel in the gas receptacle if your gas canister doesn’t have a pouring nozzle.
• Gently pour the gas from the can directly into the gas receptacle until the tank gets full.
• Replace the gas cap, and screw it on tightly.
• Use a rug to wipe fuel spilled on the tank or other mower parts.
• Reconnect the spark plug wire and start your lawn mower engine.

Final Thought

Regular gas with an octane rating of 87 or higher and an ethanol content of 10% or less is the right type for a lawn mower engine. A premium gas may not add any importance when used in a lawn mower. Always add fresh, stabilized fuel when storing your lawn mower for more than 30 days.