Section 1 Safety and General Information Oil Recommendations Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. So is checking oil daily and changing oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, causes premature engine wear and failure. Refer to Section 6 - “Lubrication System” for detailed procedures on checking the oil, changing the oil and changing the oil filter. Coolant Recommendations Use equal parts of ethylene glycol and water only. Distilled or deionized water is recommended, especially in areas where the water contains a high mineral content. Propylene glycol based antifreeze is not recommended.
Oil Type Use high-quality detergent oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) Service Class SG, SH, SJ or higher . Select the viscosity based on the air temperature at the time of operation as shown in the following table. This mixture will provide protection from -37°C (-34°F) to 108°C (226°F). For protection and use outside the indicated temperature limits, follow the antifreeze manufacturer's instructions on the container, but do not exceed 70% antifreeze. * ** DO NOT use antifreeze with stop-leak additive(s), or put any other additives in the cooling system. Fuel Recommendations WARNING: Explosive Fuel! Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited.
Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Do not fill the fuel tank while the engine is hot or running, since spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Do not start the engine near spilled fuel. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent. *Use of synthetic oil having 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is acceptable, up to 4°C (40°F). **Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below 23°C (-10°F). NOTE: Using other than service class SG, SH, SJ or higher oil or extending oil change intervals longer than recommended can cause engine damage. NOTE:
Synthetic oils meeting the listed classifications may be used with oil changes performed at the recommended intervals. However to allow piston rings to properly seat, a new or rebuilt engine should be operated for at least 50 hours using standard petroleum based oil before switching to synthetic oil. General Recommendations Purchase gasoline in small quantities and store in clean, approved containers. A container with a capacity of 2 gallons or less with a pouring spout is recommended. Such a container is easier to handle and helps eliminate spillage during refueling.
Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in your fuel system and to ensure easy starting. A logo or symbol on oil containers identifies the API service class and SAE viscosity grade. See Figure 1-3. Do not add oil to the gasoline. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Leave room for the fuel to expand. Fuel Type For best results, use only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher. In countries using the Research method, it should be 90 octane minimum. Figure 1-3. Oil Container Logo. 1.4