Scotts S2048 User Manual

Service Miscellaneous - Page 56

Regular grade 87 octane unleaded fuel is recommended 
for use in your tractor. Higher octane fuels will seldom 
make your tractor perform better. If your tractor develops 
a starting or performance problem immediately after use 
of new fuel, change supplier or fuel brand. If the problem 
still exists after switching fuel, see your Authorized 
Service Center for service.

Fuels are blended to give peak performance during cold 
weather and warm weather. For cold weather, gasoline 
is specially blended to provide better starting 
capabilities. However, avoid prolonged storage of cold-
weather blended fuel because it will evaporate more 
quickly. You may experience longer cranking times in 
cold weather with “old” fuel. Buy smaller amounts of 
cold-weather blended fuel in winter.

Fuels used during the summer are not required to 
provide improved starting properties so they are 
blended differently. As a result, you may experience 
hard starting or other performance problems during cold 
weather if you use fuel remaining from summer uses.

Many areas are now required to add “oxygenates” 
(either alcohol or ether) which blend oxygen into the fuel 
to help reduce exhaust emissions. If you use 
oxygenated fuel be sure it is unleaded and meets the 
minimum octane rating requirement. DO NOT use fuel 
that contains methanol to avoid producing excess 
emissions.

Although fuels blended with alcohol or ether allow your 
engine to run cleaner, they may contribute to fuel 
system damage and performance problems by causing 
gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for 
several weeks or more.

Using clean, fresh fuel will help to prevent damage to 
the fuel system and will help maintain peak engine 
performance. If engine performance problems occur, 
use fuel from another supplier before suspecting 
machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and 
changing suppliers will generally solve any performance 
problems.