MTD Series 54M Operating Your Engine, Know Your Engine, Fuel Cap, Starter, Air Cleaner, Grip

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Operating

Your

Engine

IMPORTANT This engine is shipped

Know Your Engine

Fuel Cap
Starter	Air Cleaner
Grip
Oil Fill Cap
Oil Drain
Muffler	Spark Plug

Figure 9-1 - The major components of the engine. The shroud on your engine may differ.

Read this section before starting your lawn mower engine. Compare the illustrations in Figure 2 with your lawn mower engine to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments.

without gasoline or oil in the engine. Running the engine with insuf- ficient oil can cause serious engine damage and void the engine warranty.

IMPORTANT

Using nondetergent oil or 2-stroke engine oil could shorten the engine’s service life.

Be sure to check the engine on a level surface with the engine stopped.

Pre-Operation Check

Oil Recommendations

IMPORTANT: This engine is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Running the engine with insufficient oil can cause serious engine damage and void the engine warranty.

•Before starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over-fill. Oil capacity is about.6 liter.

Use a 4-stroke, or an equivalent high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile manufacturer’s requirements for service classification SG, SF. Motor oils classified SG, SF will show this designation on the container.

SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general, all tem- perature use. If single viscosity oil is used, select the appropriate viscosity for the average temperature in your area from the chart to the right.

			10w
					20w
1					20
							30
					40
20w40, 20w50
15w40, 15w50
2
10w40
10w30
30˚C 20		10	0	10	20	30	40
20˚F	0	20		40	60	80	100

Figure 9-2 Ambient Temperature

1.Single Viscosity

2.Multi Viscosity

IMPORTANT: Using nondetergent oil or 2-stroke engine oil could shorten the engine’s service life.

Check Oil Level

IMPORTANT: Be sure to check the engine on a level surface with the engine stopped.

1.Remove the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean. See Figure 9-3.

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