SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS
Octane Rating
Regular grade 87 octane unleaded fuel is recommended for use in your tractor. Higher octane fuels will seldom make your tractor perform better. If your tractor develops a starting or performance problem immediately after use of new fuel, change supplier or fuel brand. If the problem still exists after switching fuel, see your Authorized Service Center for service.
Fuel Blends
Fuels are blended to give peak performance during cold weather and warm weather. For cold weather, gasoline is specially blended to provide better starting capabilities. However, avoid prolonged storage of cold- weather blended fuel because it will evaporate more quickly. You may experience longer cranking times in cold weather with “old” fuel. Buy smaller amounts of
Fuels used during the summer are not required to provide improved starting properties so they are blended differently. As a result, you may experience hard starting or other performance problems during cold weather if you use fuel remaining from summer uses.
Oxygenated or Reformulated Fuels
Many areas are now required to add “oxygenates” (either alcohol or ether) which blend oxygen into the fuel to help reduce exhaust emissions. If you use oxygenated fuel be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement. DO NOT use fuel that contains methanol to avoid producing excess emissions.
Although fuels blended with alcohol or ether allow your engine to run cleaner, they may contribute to fuel system damage and performance problems by causing gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for several weeks or more.
Using clean, fresh fuel will help to prevent damage to the fuel system and will help maintain peak engine performance. If engine performance problems occur, use fuel from another supplier before suspecting machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and changing suppliers will generally solve any performance problems.
Service Miscellaneous - Page 56