Fuel-Related FAQ
Have questions regarding fuel for your gas-powered STIHL equipment? Find answers here by exploring these common inquiries.
All STIHL gasoline-powered engines can be used with up to a 10% (E10) blend of ethanol in the gasoline/engine oil mix. We also recommend that if a unit will be left unused for more than 30 days that it be stored “dry.” This means emptying the fuel tank and then restarting and letting the unit run until all the fuel is consumed and the engine stops. For maximum performance and engine life expectancy, we also recommend using STIHL Ultra HP 2-cycle engine oil.
Note: STIHL recommends use of fuel with no more than 10% ethanol content. Using fuel with greater than 10% ethanol content may cause damage to your equipment and may void your STIHL warranty.
Only if you plan to “mothball” your lawn trimmer, brushcutter or chainsaw for a longer period – say during the winter months – should you pay a little more attention to the topic of “care.” This will ensure that your equipment, when required, will be ready for action. To get the equipment ready for winter, clean it first. The air filter, the cylinder fins, the spark plug, and the dismantled cutting tool should be checked and cleaned (also see Instruction Manual). Metal parts should be lightly coated with oil to protect them from rust and corrosion. The spark arresting screen in the muffler should be cleaned or replaced with a new one. The fuel tank should be emptied. Run the engine until the fuel system is dry (Warning! Do not operate the throttle, run the equipment only at idle speed until the engine stops!). STIHL recommends the use of STIHL MotoMix® premixed fuel which is pre-mixed with STIHL HP Ultra synthetic oil. STIHL MotoMix® contains no ethanol and has a storage life of up to two years. STIHL MotoMix® can be left in the machine during seasonal storage. For winter storage, a dry and, if possible, dust-free and frost-free place would be ideal. You can save space if you hang the equipment. And remember: standard pump gasoline deteriorates. To avoid problems, only purchase enough fuel that can be used within sixty days unless it is STIHL MotoMix®.
Read more about storing your outdoor power equipment.
Learn more about STIHL MotoMix® premixed fuel.
No. All STIHL gasoline-powered engines can only be used with up to a 10% (E10) blend of ethanol in the gasoline/engine oil mix.
STIHL currently recommends that you do not store or use fuel older than 60 days, and preferably no longer than 30 days, even with a stabilizer.
Read more about storing your outdoor power equipment.
STIHL products can use gasoline blends with up to 10% ethanol. It is important to follow proper fuel storage recommendations with all standard pump gasoline. Improper fuel storage is a leading cause of fuel system component failures which can lead to expensive engine damage. Additional information is contained in the following links:
STIHL does not recommend the use of aviation fuel in our products.
Summer grade oil is much thicker oil designed to be used at temperatures consistently above 50°F and winter grade oil is much thinner for temperatures consistently below 50°F.
This can cause internal engine damage. STIHL recommends that you do not run your engine at wide open throttle without a load. A blower is under a load at all times, a trimmer is under a load as long as the trimmer head is in place and the line is to the correct length, while a chainsaw is under a load when the bar and chain are in a cut.
