It’s that time of year again when you go to power up your lawn mower and realize you need more fuel. There are so many types of gas offered at your local gas station. What type of gas is the best for your Husqvarna lawn mower?
Husqvarna 4-stage lawn mowers use unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%. Avoid fuels with ethanol levels greater than this like those sold as E15 and E85.
Gas can affect the performance of your lawn mower. Using the correct gas will help extend the life of your Husqvarna lawn mower. Keep reading to find out more about gas and what the best gas is for your mower.
*This article focuses on lawn mowers with 4-cycle engines. If you have a mower with a 2-cycle engine, consult your operator’s manual. These types of engines require a gas and oil mixture.
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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.
What is the Best Gas for Husqvarna Mowers?
Most Husqvarna lawn mowers will have a four-stroke engine that uses unleaded gasoline. While you can use a fuel with an ethanol content of up to 10%, an ethanol-free fuel is best to run in your Husqvarna lawn mower.
This type of fuel can be found sold at select fuel stations as REC-90 or recreation fuel. A more costly option is to purchase it in canisters at the local hardware store sold as 4-cycle fuel.
Items to keep in mind when purchasing lawn mower fuel:
- Always use freshly purchased gasoline within 30 days. Don’t try to make fewer trips to the gas station and stock up on gas.
- Don’t let fuel sit outside and get moisture in it.
- Store away from combustible items.
- Make sure your gasoline octane is 87 or higher for your lawn mower.
- Never use fuel with a greater percentage of ethanol than 10%.
Choosing Gas for Your Husqvarna Mower
Refueling your Husqvarna mower is a must. The fuel used is important to the longevity and run ability of the lawn mower.
Here are some tips to ensure you are buying quality gas for your lawn mower:
Always Buy Fresh Gas for Your Husqvarna
One of the most important things to remember is to always use fresh gas. It can be tempting to bring a large gas container to the gas station, so you don’t have to run to the gas station as often. This is a big mistake as fuel will break down in the container over time.
It is best to refill your lawn mower with fresh gas. Gas should be used within 30 days. Because of this, you should obtain your gas from a busy gas station that goes through a lot of fuel.
Busy gas stations tend to cycle through fuel a lot quicker than the small corner gas stations in the country.
Avoid High Ethanol Percentages
While ethanol can be an advancement in the fuel world and very beneficial overall, it is not always best for small engines. When it comes to Husqvarna mowers, the lower the ethanol percentage, the better.
If you are unfamiliar with ethanol, it is essentially a corn-based fuel that is more environmentally sound.
When you visit your local gas station, you will often see that there is a percentage of ethanol mixed with gasoline. You will want to avoid using gasoline that has above 10% ethanol content in your mower.
Some things to keep in mind about ethanol and how it can affect your mower are:
- Always avoid gas that is marketed as E85! This gas is used in some areas and contains up to 85% ethanol. This will cause damage to small engines like those used in Husqvarna mowers.
- While ethanol works well in most motor vehicles, it is damaging to use in small gas engines. Ethanol-based gas attracts moisture from the air and this will cause the gasoline to separate from the ethanol. The gas sinks to the bottom of the fuel tank.
- The ethanol that separates from the gas in the tank will be fed through the engine. This will cause ignition problems for your mower.
- Another major issue that can arise from ethanol is that the product is corrosive. It can also burn very hot, which can cause overheating in small engines. Overall, this can cause irreversible damage.
Purchase High-Quality Fuel
Expensive fuel is not always better, but you should remember to use higher-quality fuel with your mower.
If you buy higher-end gas and worry you will not use all of it, there are some ways to keep gas fresh. The best option for storing any unused gas for later use is to do as follows:
- Use a plastic gas can that is designed for unleaded gas. Make sure that you are using a quality gas can; some plastic containers are not made to store gas and will break down.
- Add a fuel stabilizer to the can along with the extra gas that you are not using right away. This will help keep any gas that you may have leftover as fresh as possible.
I like Sea Foam fuel stabilizer because it stabilizes fuel for up to two years and reduces moisture buildup. Read more about using Sea Foam in your Husqvarna in my article, Why Use Sea Foam Additive in a Lawn Mower. - Try to avoid buying more than a 30-day supply of gas. The quicker you use the gas, the better. However, it can be hard to know exactly how much you have in your tank and how much you will need with each mowing.
- Before adding new gas, always empty out the gas can you are currently using. Use any gas that has been stored first. This will ensure you are not letting gas sit for months at a time and adding fresh gas to old gas.
Once you get the hang of buying gas for your Husqvarna mower, it is relatively simple to know what you need and when you need additional gas. By adding a fuel stabilizer and routinely alternating through your gas, you will not waste expensive gasoline, and it will be well worth the price.
Don’t Overthink It
Truly refueling your lawn mower should not be a stressful process and is relatively simple, even for beginners. The basics to keep in mind are simply:
- Get fresh fuel
- Use a stabilizer if needed
- Avoid high ethanol percentages (>10%)
If you have any questions concerning your lawn mower, the manufacturer’s guide is always a great place to start for additional help.
Store Your Husqvarna Mower with Fuel Stabilizer
When it comes to the end of the mowing season, adding a fuel stabilizer to your Husqvarna will ensure moisture and gumming are reduced in your fuel system.
To learn more about procedures to be performed before storing your Husqvarna lawn mower read, “Don’t Skip Winterizing Your Husqvarna Zero Turn”.