If you’ve ever picked up a fuel can and paused wondering whether your equipment needs a fuel-oil mix or straight petrol, this one’s for you.
2-stroke engines are common in whipper snippers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and some older or smaller mowers. They’re lighter and simpler, but they need petrol mixed with 2-stroke oil — usually at a specific ratio (often 50:1, but check your equipment’s manual, as it varies). Running one on straight petrol without oil will damage it quickly, since the oil is what lubricates the internals.
4-stroke engines are what you’ll find in most mowers, ride-ons, and generators. They run on straight petrol, with oil kept separately in its own reservoir — same idea as a car engine. You still need to check and change that oil regularly, just not mixed into the fuel.
Why it matters for servicing: a lot of “my engine’s stuffed” calls we get turn out to be the wrong fuel used in a 2-stroke engine, or a 4-stroke that’s simply never had an oil change. Both are avoidable, and both are expensive to fix if left too long.
Quick way to check which you’ve got: if there’s a separate oil fill cap and dipstick, it’s 4-stroke. If the manual specifies a fuel-to-oil mix ratio and there’s no separate oil reservoir, it’s 2-stroke.
Not sure what you’re working with, or want us to mix your fuel ratio for you? Bring it in — we’re happy to help, no booking needed.