Filling the Fuel Tank with Gasoline

For best results, use clean, fresh, lead-free gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. To ensure freshness, purchase only the quantity of gasoline that you expect to use in 30 days. Using unleaded gasoline results in fewer combustion deposits and longer engine life.

Important Do not add oil to the gasoline.

Important Do not use methanol, gasoline containing methanol, gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol, premium gasoline, or white gas. Using these fuels can damage the engine's fuel system.

Important Do not use gasoline that has been stored since the last mowing season or longer.

Danger

In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others and can damage property.

• Fill the fuel tank outdoors, in an open area, and

when the engine is cold. Wipe up any gasoline

that spills.

• Do not fill the fuel tank completely full. Add

gasoline to the fuel tank until the level is 1/4 to

1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) below the bottom of the

filler neck. This empty space in the tank allows

the gasoline to expand.

• Never smoke when handling gasoline, and stay

away from an open flame or where a spark may

ignite the gasoline fumes.

• Store gasoline in an approved fuel container

Danger

When fueling, under certain circumstances, a static charge can develop, igniting the gasoline. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others and damage property.

•Always place gasoline containers on the ground and away from your vehicle before filling.

•Do not fill gasoline containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed because interior carpets or plastic truck bed liners may insulate the container and slow the loss of any static charge.

•When practical, remove gasoline-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel the equipment with its wheels on the round.

•If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a truck or trailer from a portable container, not from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

•If you must use a gasoline dispenser nozzle, keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete.

Use a fuel stabilizer/conditioner regularly during operation and storage. A stabilizer/conditioner cleans the engine during operation and prevents gum-like varnish deposits from forming in the engine during periods of storage.

Important Do not use fuel additives other than a fuel stabilizer/conditioner . Do not use fuel stabilizers with an alcohol base such as ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol.

1.Clean around the fuel tank cap (Fig. 8).

and keep it out of the reach of children.

• Never buy more than a 30-day supply of

gasoline.

m-7279

Figure 8

1. Oil fill/Dipstick

3. Air cleaner

2. Fuel tank cap

2. Remove the cap from the tank.