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Adding Engine Oil and Gasoline
• YOU MUST ADD OIL BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS MACHINE IS SHIPPED WITHOUT OIL.
TRACES OF OIL MAY BE IN THE RESERVOIR FROM FACTORY TESTING, BUT YOU MUST ADD OIL
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE. FILL THE RESERVOIR SLOWLY CHECKING THE DIPSTICK
FREQUENTLY TO AVOID OVERFILLING.
• TO GET AN ACCURATE READING WHEN CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL:
⇒ THE MACHINE SHOULD BE ON A LEVEL SURFACE.
⇒ THE DIPSTICK SHOULD BE SCREWED DOWN ON BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINES.
Capacities
Briggs & Stratton 18.0 HP Vanguard OHV Engine SAE 30 Oil - 48 oz. (1.42 L)
Kawasaki 19.0 HP Engine SAE 30 Oil - 60 oz. (1.78 L)
Briggs & Stratton Gasoline Tank - 18 HP Unleaded gasoline, 9 US quarts (8.52 L)
Kawasaki Gasoline Tank - 19 HP Unleaded gasoline, 10 US quarts (9.46 L)
Tip: To avoid confusion, we recommend leaving the caps on the gas and oil fills until you are ready to pour
either gasoline or oil into the correct fill.
NOTE: Use SAE 30 high detergent oil classified “For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ” or higher. Do not use special
additives. Other types of oil could cause problems operating your machine. Please refer to your Engine
Owner’s Manual for detailed oil information.
1. Place the machine on a level surface and initially add 1/2 of the SAE 30 high detergent oil recommended
by the engine manufacturer and wait one minute for the oil to settle (Figure 7 on page 22).
2. Check the dipstick and continue adding a few ounces of oil at a time, rechecking the dipstick until the oil
reaches the fill mark. Be careful not to overfill.
3. Fill the gas tank with fresh, unleaded gas (with a minimum of 85 Octane) to approximately 1" to 1-
1/2" below the top of the fill neck to allow for fuel expansion. Be careful not to overfill and reinstall
the cap before starting the engine. See your Engine Owner’s Manual for more information.
NOTE: To refill the gas tank, turn the engine OFF and let the engine cool at least two (2) minutes before
removing the gas fill cap.
FILL GAS TANK OUTDOORS OR IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA, AWAY FROM SPARKS, OPEN FLAMES,
PILOT LIGHTS, HEAT AND OTHER IGNITION SOURCES.