Do Lawn Mowers Take Regular Gas
So it’s your first time using a lawnmower and you’re left with a burning question…
“Do lawnmowers take regular gas?”
Most lawnmowers can take regular gas without any issues; however, there are some things that you need to be aware of to prevent damaging your lawnmower.
…and that’s what we will cover in this article.
Anyhow…
My name is Evan and I’ve been operating lawnmowers for many years. I’ve used all types; from large riding mowers to electric push mowers.
As you can imagine, I’ve learned the ins and outs of lawnmowers over the years. So much so that some people call me ‘the walking lawnmower manual’.
But that’s a story for another day.
Let’s get into today’s article.
What Gas Do Lawnmowers Use?
It depends on the type of engine your lawnmower has. If it’s a 4-stroke, unleaded gasoline is the most suitable option. On the flip side, 2-stroke engines also use unleaded gasoline but need to be mixed with oil. To determine whether your engine is a 4-stroke or 2-stroke, look at the inlets.
How To Determine Engine Type
If there is only one inlet for both gas and fuel, then you’re dealing with a 2-stroke engine. 4-stroke engines have two inlets; one for gas and one for fuel. You must never mix oil and gas when operating a 4-stroke lawnmower.
Doing so can damage your lawnmower, costing you money in repairs.
To be clear on your engine type, the best thing to do is look at the manual included with your lawnmower. You don’t want to take any chances by guessing.
Octane Level
The octane level refers to how well fuel can resist knocking when ignited. The higher the octane level, the more resistant to knocking the fuel is.
But wait…
What the heck is knocking, right!?
To put it simply – it’s when the fuel ignites prematurely.
So what does this have to do with lawnmower fuel?
In most cases, both 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines require fuel with an octane rating of 87+. In addition, the gas you use must have an ethanol rating of less than 10%.
Oil VS Gas Ratio (2-Stroke Engines only)
To determine the ratio of gas to oil you need for your 2-stroke lawnmower, I always advise looking at your lawnmower’s manual.
However…
I understand some people don’t have their lawn mower manuals anymore.
The recommended ratio for a 2-stroke engine is 40:1; 1 gallon of gas combined with 3.2oz engine oil. With that being said, some lawnmowers (and other tools!) have a lower recommended ratio; with some dropping as low as 32:1 and others reaching as high as 50:1.
If you’re unsure, I recommend sticking with 40:1 to be safe.
Alternatively, you can reach out to your lawnmower’s manufacturer and ask directly.
Can You Use Premium Gas In Your Lawn Mower?
You can use premium unleaded gas in your lawnmower providing it follows the requirements outlined in the previous sections (87+ octane level/ethanol less than 10%). I would still check your manual beforehand just in case your lawnmower can’t take premium gas.
…but that’s unlikely.
The problem with premium gas is that it costs more than regular gas and doesn’t increase the performance of your lawn mower. Not only that, but it’s constantly rising, with a recent study by AAA claiming that premium gas costs an average of $0.50 more than regular gas.
Other Factors To Consider
Altitude
As crazy as it sounds, your lawnmower’s altitude goes a long way in determining the type of gas you need to use.
People that live at high altitudes should ensure that they are using gas with an octane level of more than 85. In addition, it’s also important to adjust your carburetor to ensure it’s operating at maximum capacity.
It’s not uncommon for people mowing at high altitudes to struggle with poor performance. This happens because there is less oxygen mixing with the fuel. Adjusting the carburetor and using the correct fuel fixes this problem.
If you continue using your lawnmower at altitude without fixing these issues, the armature ignition coil will wear out, resulting in damage to your lawnmower.
Not worth it!
Use Fuel Additives
The problem with ethanol-based gasoline is that it can damage your lawnmower engine. It’s not going to happen overnight, but over a few years. To prevent damage from occurring, I recommend using fuel additives.
A fuel additive is a solution that you put in your gas tank. It cleans your engine, while also maintaining your engine life, saving you money on replacement parts.
While fuel additives are optional, I strongly recommend them for people storing their lawnmowers for long periods of time.
Here’s how to use a fuel additive solution…
First, partially fill your fuel tank with your preferred gas and then add your fuel additive. Once you have added the recommended amount, continue filling up your fuel tank with regular gas.
You don’t need to add fuel additives every time you mow the lawn. In fact, it’s best to only use the solution every 60 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Regular Gas Station Gas?
Yes. In most cases, you can use gas from a gas station. Just ensure it’s unleaded, has an octane level of 85+, and is less than 10% ethanol. Some gas stations have labels on their pumps, explaining how their gas may contain up to 10% ethanol, which is fine.
How Long Can You Store Gas In A Lawnmower?
During the Winter months, it’s not uncommon for lawnmowers to stay locked in the garage for a few weeks/months at a time. Something you may not know is that fuel can go stale, causing rust and potentially blocking the carburetor after only a few weeks (depending on how old the gas was before filling up).
Most lawnmower companies recommend Winterizing your lawn mower by draining the fuel. If you don’t want to drain the fuel during the Winter months, there is an alternative…
Instead, you can use a cleaning solution (fuel additive) to make sure your engine does not become damaged. After adding your cleaning solution to the gas tank, allow your lawnmower to run for 10 minutes to ensure it flows throughout the engine.
Can A Lawn Mower Use Ethanol-Free Gas?
You may notice that some gas stations sell ethanol-free gas.
So that begs the question…
“Can a lawnmower use ethanol-free gas?”
Yes, absolutely! Most lawnmowers can use ethanol-free gas without any issues. Once again, please check the manual or contact your lawnmower company to be sure.
So why use ethanol-free gas?
Good question!
Ethanol-free gas is a better option for your lawnmower. This is because ethanol is what causes corrosion and rust in your fuel tank and engine. When you use ethanol-free gas, there’s much less chance of your engine becoming damaged.
Furthermore, ethanol-free gas is much better if you plan to store your lawnmower over the Winter months. It can safely sit in your fuel tank for a long time without causing any damage.
How To Store Gas For Your Lawn Mower?
Most people store gas in a plastic jerry can. And even worse, they typically leave it on the floor in their garage.
…I wouldn’t recommend this.
Plastic gas cans are more prone to leakage and more prone to exploding, especially if the vapor inside comes into contact with a heat source.
Instead, it’s best to store your gas in a metal jerry can. While there is still some risk, metal jerry cans are much less likely to explode or leak.
In addition, it’s always best to store your jerry can in your garage. Make sure it’s not on the floor and the area is well-ventilated.
Pro Tip: Never leave your jerry can on your lawn. A small leak can cause your grass to starting turning yellow.
Here Is The Gas I Recommend For Lawnmowers…
There’s nothing wrong with using gas from gas stations; however, there is a better option if you want your lawnmower to last longer.
Let me introduce you to…
TruFuel.
It doesn’t contain any ethanol, making it a much safer alternative. In addition, there are options for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke lawn mower engines.
The only downside with TruFuel is that it’s damn expensive!
But you get what you pay for.
Summing It Up
Most lawnmower engines are designed to take regular gas, providing it has an octane level of more than 85, and less than 10% ethanol. You can also use ethanol-free gas to prevent corrosion to your engine.
When using gas that contains ethanol, it’s best to use a fuel additive every so often to clean out your engine and increase the lifespan.