ECHO equipment is professional-grade and comes at a premium price. You just invested a lot of money in your ECHO product and you want it to run at its highest capability year in and year out. The best way to do that, and avoid a costly repair that is not covered by warranty, is to properly maintain the equipment and use the right fuel every time. Did you know that using alternative fuels in ECHO 2-stroke engines will void your engine warranty over time? And that engine and carburetor problems can still occur when running your equipment on approved 10% or less ethanol content, depending on how your fuel is stored and if the fuel in use is older than 30 days?
ECHO handheld outdoor power equipment is designed to tolerate up to 10% ethanol blended fuel and cannot compensate for higher concentrations of ethanol like today's cars. Most blended fuel on the market today is E10, which contains 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol. But E85, which is readily available for flex-fuel automobiles, will cause havoc on 2-stroke handheld equipment and E15 & E20 are also on the horizon.
Check out our infographic to learn even more about ethanol!
Use 89 Octane [R+M/2] (mid grade or higher) gasoline known to be good quality and containing no more than 10% ethanol. Gas with NO ETHANOL is ideal.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute is alerting end users that using any fuel that contains more than 10 percent ethanol is harmful and illegal to use in outdoor power equipment. Look for this logo in your operator's manual to help you with the proper fuel choice for your ECHO product. For more info, visit www.LookBeforeYouPump.com
This is the best way to prevent using stale fuel. Only purchase from name brand high volume stations to ensure you get the freshest gas possible.
Fuel stabilizers are only effective if mixed with fresh fuel and then properly stored. Remember that nothing will properly rejuvenate old, stale fuel.
Ethanol in blended fuel attracts moisture as soon as it's exposed to air. High humidity and fuel containers with poor sealing or missing spout covers or vents accelerate the problem.
These oils contain a small amount of fuel stabilizer which helps extend the life of the gasoline mixture.
Shaking the container for 30 seconds prior to filling your equipment ensures the fuel is mixed and helps to suspend any small amounts of moisture in the mixture.
Cool controlled temperatures extend fuel life as it slows the aging process. Keep the can in a dry area to reduce the formation of condensation inside the fuel container. Fuel should never be stored in your house or by a flame or ignition source.
If you do not intend to use your ECHO product within a 30 day period, drain the fuel completely from the carburetor and the fuel tank.