The same fuel you put in your car isn’t always safe for your lawn mower, generator and other outdoor equipment. Using gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol may be cheaper, but it can permanently damage small engine components.

A 2020 study by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) found that 20 percent of people were misfuelling their outdoor power equipment and one-quarter reported using the wrong fuel in the past. After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted an emergency fuel waiver in 2022 to help reduce fuel shortages by allowing sales of E15 gasoline during May-September when it’s typically banned, it became even more critical for farmers, contractors and other business owners to consider how they are fueling their power equipment.  

The Downside of E15 Fuel 

Most of the gasoline sold throughout the United States contains some ethanol. While ethanol fuel offers several environmental and economic advantages for cars, it’s a different story when it comes to fueling power equipment.

According to Popular Mechanics, the small engines found in outdoor equipment weren’t designed to deal with ethanol blends like E15 or higher. Ethanol-blended fuel can cause two-stroke engines to run hotter, corroding rubber and certain metals and damaging fuel lines and other critical engine parts. Ethanol can also pull water vapor out of the air causing separation inside fuel tanks. Since outdoor power equipment does not get used year-round, moisture can settle at the bottom of the tank, clogging pumps, filters, fuel lines and other components, causing equipment to run poorly and leading to costly repair work.

It's primarily for this reason that the EPA has not approved E15 fuel for use in outdoor power equipment like chainsaws, snow blowers, lawnmowers, string trimmers and generators. To help protect your equipment, it’s important to use E10 gasoline containing 10% ethanol or less.

Avoiding Confusion at the Pump

Thanks to a wide variety of fueling options, knowing which fuel to use for your equipment can be difficult. Some gas stations market E15 gas as 88 octane or offer other fuel blends like E85, E30 or E50 designed for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Understanding what the different labels mean is a critical step in ensuring you are properly fueling your equipment. Some of the options include:

• E10 – Up to 10% ethanol blended with 90% unleaded gasoline, sometimes labeled Unleaded 87 or 87 octane
• E15 – Up to 15% ethanol blended with 85% unleaded gasoline, sometimes labeled Unleaded 88 or 88 octane
• E30 – 30% ethanol blended with 70% gasoline
• E20 – 20% ethanol blended with 80% gasoline
• E50 – 50% ethanol blended with 50% gasoline
• E85 or FlexFuel – Fuel mixture containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline

6 Tips to Protect Power Equipment

1. Know Your Equipment

Always check your owner’s manual for fuel requirements to understand which fuel is right for your equipment. Never assume that a fuel safe for your car is also safe for your power equipment. 

2. Check Before Fueling 

Avoid choosing fuel based solely on price. Check the ethanol content before pumping to ensure it’s the right fuel for your engine. Always ensure you select the correct gasoline for your specific type of engine to help protect your power equipment.

3. Avoid High Ethanol Fuel Blends

Using fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol in outdoor power equipment can damage or destroy their small engines. Several engine manufacturers have also warned using fuel with more than 10% ethanol, like E15 or E85, can cause permanent and irreversible damage to outdoor equipment that’s not covered under warranty.

4. Use Fuel Stabilizer

Small, gas-powered engines like those in lawn mowers and snow blowers often sit for months without use. Fuel left in these engines – even the correct fuel – can begin to break down, leading to condensation that can corrode parts. Using a fuel stabilizer is important to help prevent corrosion and extend fuel life. Without a fuel stabilizer, most fuel begins to degrade in approximately 30 days. 

5. Consider Canned Ethanol-Free Fuel

One way to help prevent ethanol’s damaging effects is using an ethanol-free fuel source designed for small engines. Most small-engine manufacturers make canned fuels containing zero ethanol. 

6. Use Approved Fuel Containers to Avoid Stale Fuel 

Avoid storing fuel in containers with open or leaking spouts. Leaking fuel containers are a fire safety hazard and can quickly turn fuel stale. Make sure to store in a cool, dry place and use only approved self-venting fuel cans with “no spill” self-sealing spouts. Always shake the fuel container for 30 seconds just prior to filling your equipment. This helps reduce moisture and ensures the fuel is mixed properly.