Assuming you can run any type of gasoline through your gas-powered Gravely lawn mower can result in costly repairs to the fuel system and engine. With more and more types of gasoline showing up at your local gas station, it’s necessary to know what you are buying for your lawn mower.
Gravely lawn mowers require unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%. Using gasoline that has a higher ethanol content will damage the engine.
Buying the right gasoline and caring for it properly is important to keep your Gravely mower’s fuel system and engine running at its best. Follow the tips in this guide when making your next fuel purchase.
Gravely offers electric, gas-powered, and diesel-powered lawn mowers. This article addresses gas-powered Gravely mowers.
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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Can You Use Regular Gas in Your Gravely?
Regular gas can be used in your Gravely lawn mower. According to the US Energy Information Administration, gas marketed as regular gas generally has an octane rating of 87. Most gasoline marketed as regular gas typically has an ethanol content of 10%.
Once you confirm the regular gas you are purchasing doesn’t have an ethanol content greater than this, you can use it in your gas-powered mower.
Choosing Gas for Gravely Lawn Mower
There are so many options for gasoline offered at gas stations today. It can get a little confusing trying to figure out what kind of gasoline is okay to run through your mower. There are a few simple guidelines you need to follow when buying gas.
Avoid High Ethanol Percentages in the Gas Used in Your Gravely Lawn Mower
Using unleaded gasoline with an ethanol level of 10%, also known as E10 gas, is safe to run in your Gravely mower. Never use gasoline with a higher level than this. The lower the ethanol content the better.
Ethanol is a corn-based fuel that is being added to gasoline today to make it more environmentally friendly. It is okay to run in most vehicles, but it is not good for the small engine in a Gravely mower.
Check the label on the fuel pump for ethanol content in the fuel you are purchasing. It is common to see ethanol percentages of 10%, 15%, and 85% (known as E10, E15, and E85 respectively).
Here are some details you need to know about ethanol:
- It is a corn-based fuel that is more environmentally sound.
- Ethanol works well in most motor vehicles. It is damaging to small gas engines.
- Ethanol-based gas attracts moisture from the air which causes gas to separate from ethanol.
- Separated ethanol and water sinks to the bottom of the fuel tank. Separated ethanol will be fed through the engine causing ignition problems for your mower. Ethanol can leave gummy deposits damaging your fuel components.
- Ethanol is corrosive and can burn very hot causing your engine to overheat. This can cause significant damage.
Buy Fresh Gas for Your Gravely Lawn Mower
Because gasoline can begin breaking down as soon as 30 days after purchase, it is important to purchase the amount of gasoline you can consume in 30 days so you don’t have extra gas sitting around for extended periods of time.
Store any unused gasoline in an approved fuel container. Place it in a dry area away from exposure to water and outdoor elements.
If you are unable to use the fuel you purchased within 30 days, add a fuel additive to stabilize the gasoline. I discuss this at the end of this article.
Purchase High-Quality Fuel for Your Gravely Lawn Mower
Buying a more expensive fuel is not always better, but I recommend using a higher quality fuel with your mower if you can afford it.
Running fuels that don’t contain ethanol is best, but they also can be a little pricey costing up to $2.00 more per gallon when using recreation fuel from the gas station pump or more when purchasing canisters from your local hardware store.
Recreation Fuel REC-90: The ethanol-free gas at the local gas station is known as recreation fuel or REC-90. Not all gas stations sell this type of gas.
You can check for the closest fuel station that sells recreational fuel at pure-gas.org if you are in the United State or Canada.
4-Cycle Fuel Canisters: Ethanol-free gas is sold in canisters at your local hardware store or online.
If you buy higher-end fuel for your Gravely mower and worry you will not use all of it, there are some ways to keep gas fresh by using a fuel additive to stabilize your fuel.
You do not need to add a fuel stabilizer to recreation or 4-cycle canned fuel because it doesn’t contain ethanol, but it won’t hurt if you accidentally add it.
Add a Fuel Stabilizer to the Gasoline for Your Gravely Lawn Mower
Use a fuel additive to stabilize your gasoline and minimize moisture buildup in the fuel system. I use a product called Sea Foam Motor Treatment. Not only does it stabilize and prevent moisture buildup, it also cleans the fuel system. Find out more about the advantages of Sea Foam.