What type of fuel to use- avoid gas with Ethanol

Ethanol fuel or ethyl alcohol is an alcohol additive that is commonly used in nearly all gasoline in the United States. It is derived from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane and wheat. If you buy your gas at a gas station in the US then more than likely what you are buying contains corn-based ethanol. This gas, composed of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol is sometimes referred to as ethane. Nearly all gasoline sold in the United States contains ethanol, even if there is not a declaration of ethanol on the pump.

What type of fuel to use.

Ethane can be used in all current Husqvarna equipment. However we recommend using at least 89- octane E-10 gasoline, which is the mid-grade between medium and premium gasoline. Fuel that is labeled E-15, E-20, E-85 and Diesel fuel are not acceptable fuels to E-10 and will cause significant damage to outdoor power equipment. Look for an indicator at the gas pump to make sure you are making the right choice. Not all states require that the ethanol level to be identified at the pomp. In these circumstances, make sure you do your own research.

Because today’s gasoline contains ethanol and alcohol, it absorbs water if exposed to air. In many cases the operator is unaware that their gasoline has become contaminated with water and unintentionally pours it into their unit. This is because your fuel mixture will separate into layers if it contains a high enough percentage of water. If you don’t shake your mixture, you may unintentionally pour a damaging concentration of water into your unit. Always vigorously shake the fuel mixture immediately before pouring.

Other ways of preventing problems related to fuel- absorption of water.

• Purchasing only enough fuel to last about 30 days – this helps assure that you are always using fresh, uncontaminated gasoline For two stroke engines, only mix enough fuel that will be used within the next 30 days.
  
•  In order to store the fuel with as little exposure to air as possible, avoid containers with vent caps.
  
•  Look for containers that are airtight and that also provide tight seals around the cap. These are examples of good gasoline containers.
  
• Fuel stabilizers can be helpful in extending the life of the product, while also defending against the absorption of moisture. For maximum benefit, fuel stabilizers should be added to your gasoline at the time of purchase.
  
• While using the stabilizer extends the life of the gas, a two stroke gas oil mixture with a fuel stabilizer should not be stored for more than 90 days. Using Husqvarna 2 stroke oil will help reduce the risk of engine failure and poor engine performance, by helping to prevent the fuel from becoming stale.
  
• Whether you are a professional landscaper or a homeowner, always keep your cap secure on your gas containers between jobs. Even exposing your gas to air for a short period of time will allow it to absorb detrimental amounts of water.
  
• Before storing your unit for the season, make sure you drain the fuel tank and run the unit until it’s dry. Most units that were made in the last five years have components that are resistant to the effects of Ethanol. However, older units should never be stored with fuel in them, since the fuel lines could be affected by the ethanol found in today’s gasoline.
  

By taking the time to understand the issues surrounding today’s gasoline you are more likely to enjoy your equipment and prevent much frustration.