Don’t wait until it breaks. Even the most simple maintenance work can help keep your equipment out of the shop. The easiest tip also happens to be the most important: choose an ethanol-free fuel that is specifically designed to protect small engines.

All small engines have their own unique characteristics, so it’s important to become familiar with the owner’s manual before you get out your tools. Replace parts as recommended, and consider keeping extra parts on hand in case of a breakdown.
Here is our general guidance for small engine preventative maintenance or you can click below to view equipment specific information.

  • Before You Start

    Always check your equipment before you fire it up, especially if it hasn’t been used in a while. Make sure all the engine components appear to be in working condition. Inspect the fuel lines and wires for corrosion. Finally, look for any loose bolts and tighten as necessary.

  • Storing for Off Season

    If you’re not going to be using the equipment for a while, it’s recommended to add fuel stabilizer or empty the gas tank completely if you’re not currently using TruFuel®. This prevents gunk buildup and damage caused by stale, ethanol-laden fuel.

  • Air Filters and Flow

    Small engines run on a combination of small engine fuel and clean air. Without the right air flow, your engine won’t run as efficiently as it should. Check for a dirty air filter and replace as needed – usually once a season or after every 25 hours of use.

  • Keep it Clean

    Any buildup of grease and grime can cause unnecessary heating and strain on your engine. Use a degreaser and a clean cloth to wipe away any dirt and grease spots. Keep your cooling fins clean with a small bristle brush.

Chainsaws are powerful tools – and very sharp! Wear work gloves while handling the chain, and check the owner’s manual before performing any work yourself. Here are some basic maintenance tips to keep your chainsaw revving strong, all season long.

  • Premixed Chainsaw Fuel

    Choosing a high quality chainsaw fuel mix is the most important preventive measure you can take. Ethanol and small engines don’t mix. Most pump gas contains ethanol, which ultimately gunks up engines and causes serious corrosion. TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that stays fresh for years, which means you don’t have to worry about draining old chainsaw fuel between uses. In addition, TruFuel is already premixed for saws requiring a 50:1 or 40:1 fuel mixture.

  • Keep it Lubricated

    A well lubricated bar is absolutely essential. If you are working with a 2-cycle chainsaw, the “oil” reservoir on your saw is for bar chain oil, not motor oil. This is important. Bar chain oil is extra tacky to prevent the chain from jumping. Refill your bar chain oil every time you refuel your chainsaw. Also, be sure to inspect and clear the oil-inlet holes at the base of the bar.

  • Clean Your Bar

    The groove that guides the chain around the bar must remain clear of dust and debris. Remove the drive-case, chain and bar. Clean the groove with a small screwdriver and use a file to work out any nicks and notches.

  • Check Your Chain

    If you’re seeing saw dust rather than wood chips, it’s probably time to sharpen your chain. Other symptoms of a dull chain include a chattering sound and curved cutting line. Before each startup, check the chain and adjust the tension to the saw’s specifications.

  • Filters & Spark Plugs

    Chainsaws are messy. Sawdust finds its way into every crack and crevice, causing buildup around the spark plug, oil filter and air filter. Remove the plug with a socket wrench and clean with a wire brush (reset the gap to the recommended limit). Using a bent piece of wire, pull the pickup line and fuel filter out of the gas tank. Simply brush it clean with solvent. The air filter is located inside a box at the mouth of the carburetor. Remove the box and wash the filter in solvent or soapy water. Replace after drying.

Below are some basic maintenance tips to keep your trimmer at optimal performance. But before you start, always check the owner’s manual for specifications.

  • Replacing the Line

    Old and brittle line should be replaced at least once a season. Hold the hub at the end of the trimmer and unscrew the bump knob. Remove the old spool. Next, remove the spring inside the old spool and place it in the new spool. Place the new spool inside the hub, stringing both lines through the eyelets. Finish by screwing the bump knob back on.

  • Fuel for String Trimmers

    For 2-stroke engines, choosing a premium string trimmer fuel is the easiest way to prevent serious engine damage. A mix made from gas station gas likely contains ethanol, which gunks up engines and causes serious corrosion within. TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that is precisely measured and ready to use in line trimmers that require a 50:1 or 40:1 fuel mixture

  • Adjusting the Idle

    If your engine sounds choppy or stalls while running, chances are you should adjust the idle. Find the adjustment screw between the air filter and housing. With your string trimmer in idle, turn the screw to the left or right until the engine is running smoothly.

Getting your leaf blower to start quickly and run smoothly isn’t always easy. Its small engine can be finicky, especially if weeks or months have passed between uses. All engines are different, so it’s important to consult the owner’s manual before performing any maintenance yourself. Here are some basic leaf blower fuel and maintenance tips to keep you from reaching for the rake.

  • Loose Hoses, Corroded Tubing

    Inspect your leaf blower. The hoses on most leaf blowers are made of plastic, and can crack or become disconnected over time. Also check the tubes for maximum air flow. Do you see any cracks? Repair, reconnect or replace as needed.

  • Fresh Fuel for Leaf Blowers

    Conventional leaf blower fuel only stays fresh for about 30 days, and the ethanol it contains can even start eating away the rubber and plastic components inside your small engine. That’s why it’s extra important to either drain fuel between uses or choose a fuel that is ethanol-free. Choose TruFuel. Specially formulated for small engines, TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that stays fresh for years, which means you don’t have to worry about stale fuel or ethanol-related engine damage.

  • Maximizing Air Flow

    Leaf blower performance is all about air flow, and that includes air going into the engine. Routinely check your leaf blower’s air filter and wash as needed with a mild dish detergent and warm water. Allow the filter to dry completely before reinstalling.

  • Firing Up

    If you’re still pulling the starter rope without any results, consider checking the spark plug for signs of distress or aging. It may be time for a new plug altogether. However, a dirty spark plug can be cleaned gently with a wire brush. Be sure to check the owner’s manual before setting the gap and reinstalling.

Most snow blower maintenance requires a few basic tools and a little elbow grease. If performed regularly, you should be able to avoid the repair shop – and the snow shovel! However, not all snow blowers are created equal, so be sure to consult the owner’s manual.

  • Before You Start

    Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. As you know, snow blowers are heavy. Carefully tip the snow blower on its side for easy access.

  • Check Components

    Take inventory of the snow blower’s main components. Are the skids overly worn? Are the belts corroded? If so, you may need to take a trip to the repair shop. As for any loose nuts and bolts, go ahead and tighten those yourself.

  • Inspect & Clean Spark Plug

    Remove the spark plug with a socket wrench. Inspect the plug and clean with a wire brush. Set the gap according to the owner’s manual and reinstall.

  • Starting Problems

    Having trouble starting your blower? Stale fuel is the usual suspect. Most varieties of snow blower fuel should be drained at the end of the season. In some cases, a small engine fuel additive could be considered, but perhaps the easiest route is to choose a premium snow blower fuel like TruFuel from the beginning.

  • Use Good Fuel

    Snow blowers are built for cold temperatures, however, despite how rugged the machine may seem, small engines are actually quite sensitive. Ethanol found in most gas station gas can cause serious problems—gunked-up engines, damaged tanks and phase separation. For 2-Cycle engines, it’s best to use a snow blower fuel that’s ethanol-free and premixed to your machine’s fuel ratio. TruFuel 4-Cycle is recommended for all 4-stroke equipment.

Portable generators can keep you and your family connected and comfortable in an extended outage, but for safety purposes it is important to know the correct way to operate them.

If you own a portable power generator for your home or business, please refer to the owner’s manual for specific safety information, precautions and maintenance procedures and schedules. If you can’t locate it, the manual for your specific brand and model should be easily found online.

This information is here to provide an overview of the sort of maintenance needs gas-powered generators have, along with some tips on how to keep them powered and running their best when you need them the most.

There are countless generators on the market, but here are a few common maintenance items:

  • After every use: Take a damp cloth and wipe down the whole unit, including all engine air inlet and outlet boards, engine cooling fins, alternator cooling air inlet and exhaust ports, along with all other surfaces. Clean spark arrester screen with wire brush.
  • After every 20 hours or so of use: Change the oil.
  • After every 50 hours or so of use: Clean air filter.
  • After 100 hours or so of use: Inspect the spark plug for cracks, a chipped insulator, extensive wear or an incorrect gap. If there are any problems, replace.
  • After 300 hours or so of use: Spark plug must be switched out if not replaced earlier.
  • Additional Good Maintenance Practices:

    • Check oil between changes.
    • Store the generator in an area that’s free of excessive dust, dirt, moisture and corrosive fumes.
    • Operate with an ethanol-free fuel designed for small engines, like TruFuel. And keep TruFuel on hand in case of emergency.
    • Get the unit out of storage every 3 months and run it for ten minutes, preferably with ethanol-free generator fuel.
  • TruFuel 4-Cycle is Engineered Fuel for Generators

    TruFuel does not have any ethanol. 4-cycle engines hate ethanol, which comprises 10% of most of the gas homeowners’ purchase from gas stations. In fact, using E15 gas (15% ethanol blend) voids many portable generator warranties, because the fuel gums up fuel lines, jets and carburetors.

    Advanced stabilizing generator fuel additives keep TruFuel fresh in your tank for 2 years and for more than 5 years unopened. This potentially eliminates the need to source fresh gas during an emergency situation, and the need to frequently replenish your stand-by fuel supply and dispose of old gas.

From tune-ups and storage to mid-season care, this section touches on the care and of your lawn mower at its most important junctures through the annual cycle.

How to Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

Lawn Mower First Start of the Season

Maintain Your Mower Through the Season

Lawn Mower Winter Care

All small engines have their own unique characteristics, so it’s important to become familiar with the owner’s manual before you get out your tools. Replace parts as recommended, and consider keeping extra parts on hand in case of a breakdown.
Here is our general guidance for small engine preventative maintenance or you can click below to view equipment specific information.

  • Before You Start

    Always check your equipment before you fire it up, especially if it hasn’t been used in a while. Make sure all the engine components appear to be in working condition. Inspect the fuel lines and wires for corrosion. Finally, look for any loose bolts and tighten as necessary.

  • Storing for Off Season

    If you’re not going to be using the equipment for a while, it’s recommended to add fuel stabilizer or empty the gas tank completely if you’re not currently using TruFuel. This prevents gunk buildup and damage caused by stale, ethanol-laden fuel.

  • Air Filters and Flow

    Small engines run on a combination of small engine fuel and clean air. Without the right air flow, your engine won’t run as efficiently as it should. Check for a dirty air filter and replace as needed – usually once a season or after every 25 hours of use.

  • Keep it Clean

    Any buildup of grease and grime can cause unnecessary heating and strain on your engine. Use a degreaser and a clean cloth to wipe away any dirt and grease spots. Keep your cooling fins clean with a small bristle brush.

Chainsaws are powerful tools – and very sharp! Wear work gloves while handling the chain, and check the owner’s manual before performing any work yourself. Here are some basic maintenance tips to keep your chainsaw revving strong, all season long.

  • Premixed Chainsaw Fuel

    Choosing a high quality chainsaw fuel mix is the most important preventive measure you can take. Ethanol and small engines don’t mix. Most pump gas contains ethanol, which ultimately gunks up engines and causes serious corrosion. TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that stays fresh for years, which means you don’t have to worry about draining old chainsaw fuel between uses. In addition, TruFuel is already premixed for saws requiring a 50:1 or 40:1 fuel mixture.

  • Keep it Lubricated

    A well lubricated bar is absolutely essential. If you are working with a 2-cycle chainsaw, the “oil” reservoir on your saw is for bar chain oil, not motor oil. This is important. Bar chain oil is extra tacky to prevent the chain from jumping. Refill your bar chain oil every time you refuel your chainsaw. Also, be sure to inspect and clear the oil-inlet holes at the base of the bar.

  • Clean Your Bar

    The groove that guides the chain around the bar must remain clear of dust and debris. Remove the drive-case, chain and bar. Clean the groove with a small screwdriver and use a file to work out any nicks and notches.

  • Check Your Chain

    If you’re seeing saw dust rather than wood chips, it’s probably time to sharpen your chain. Other symptoms of a dull chain include a chattering sound and curved cutting line. Before each startup, check the chain and adjust the tension to the saw’s specifications.

  • Filters & Spark Plugs

    Chainsaws are messy. Sawdust finds its way into every crack and crevice, causing buildup around the spark plug, oil filter and air filter. Remove the plug with a socket wrench and clean with a wire brush (reset the gap to the recommended limit). Using a bent piece of wire, pull the pickup line and fuel filter out of the gas tank. Simply brush it clean with solvent. The air filter is located inside a box at the mouth of the carburetor. Remove the box and wash the filter in solvent or soapy water. Replace after drying.

Below are some basic maintenance tips to keep your trimmer at optimal performance. But before you start, always check the owner’s manual for specifications.

  • Replacing the Line

    Old and brittle line should be replaced at least once a season. Hold the hub at the end of the trimmer and unscrew the bump knob. Remove the old spool. Next, remove the spring inside the old spool and place it in the new spool. Place the new spool inside the hub, stringing both lines through the eyelets. Finish by screwing the bump knob back on.

  • Fuel for String Trimmers

    For 2-stroke engines, choosing a premium string trimmer fuel is the easiest way to prevent serious engine damage. A mix made from gas station gas likely contains ethanol, which gunks up engines and causes serious corrosion within. TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that is precisely measured and ready to use in line trimmers that require a 50:1 or 40:1 fuel mixture

  • Adjusting the Idle

    If your engine sounds choppy or stalls while running, chances are you should adjust the idle. Find the adjustment screw between the air filter and housing. With your string trimmer in idle, turn the screw to the left or right until the engine is running smoothly.

Getting your leaf blower to start quickly and run smoothly isn’t always easy. Its small engine can be finicky, especially if weeks or months have passed between uses. All engines are different, so it’s important to consult the owner’s manual before performing any maintenance yourself. Here are some basic leaf blower fuel and maintenance tips to keep you from reaching for the rake.

  • Loose Hoses, Corroded Tubing

    Inspect your leaf blower. The hoses on most leaf blowers are made of plastic, and can crack or become disconnected over time. Also check the tubes for maximum air flow. Do you see any cracks? Repair, reconnect or replace as needed.

  • Fresh Fuel for Leaf Blowers

    Conventional leaf blower fuel only stays fresh for about 30 days, and the ethanol it contains can even start eating away the rubber and plastic components inside your small engine. That’s why it’s extra important to either drain fuel between uses or choose a fuel that is ethanol-free. Choose TruFuel. Specially formulated for small engines, TruFuel is ethanol-free fuel that stays fresh for years, which means you don’t have to worry about stale fuel or ethanol-related engine damage.

  • Maximizing Air Flow

    Leaf blower performance is all about air flow, and that includes air going into the engine. Routinely check your leaf blower’s air filter and wash as needed with a mild dish detergent and warm water. Allow the filter to dry completely before reinstalling.

  • Firing Up

    If you’re still pulling the starter rope without any results, consider checking the spark plug for signs of distress or aging. It may be time for a new plug altogether. However, a dirty spark plug can be cleaned gently with a wire brush. Be sure to check the owner’s manual before setting the gap and reinstalling.

Most snow blower maintenance requires a few basic tools and a little elbow grease. If performed regularly, you should be able to avoid the repair shop – and the snow shovel! However, not all snow blowers are created equal, so be sure to consult the owner’s manual.

  • Before You Start

    Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. As you know, snow blowers are heavy. Carefully tip the snow blower on its side for easy access.

  • Check Components

    Take inventory of the snow blower’s main components. Are the skids overly worn? Are the belts corroded? If so, you may need to take a trip to the repair shop. As for any loose nuts and bolts, go ahead and tighten those yourself.

  • Inspect & Clean Spark Plug

    Remove the spark plug with a socket wrench. Inspect the plug and clean with a wire brush. Set the gap according to the owner’s manual and reinstall.

  • Starting Problems

    Having trouble starting your blower? Stale fuel is the usual suspect. Most varieties of snow blower fuel should be drained at the end of the season. In some cases, a small engine fuel additive could be considered, but perhaps the easiest route is to choose a premium snow blower fuel like TruFuel from the beginning.

  • Use Good Fuel

    Snow blowers are built for cold temperatures, however, despite how rugged the machine may seem, small engines are actually quite sensitive. Ethanol found in most gas station gas can cause serious problems—gunked-up engines, damaged tanks and phase separation. For 2-Cycle engines, it’s best to use a snow blower fuel that’s ethanol-free and premixed to your machine’s fuel ratio. TruFuel 4-Cycle is recommended for all 4-stroke equipment.

Portable generators can keep you and your family connected and comfortable in an extended outage, but for safety purposes it is important to know the correct way to operate them.

If you own a portable power generator for your home or business, please refer to the owner’s manual for specific safety information, precautions and maintenance procedures and schedules. If you can’t locate it, the manual for your specific brand and model should be easily found online.

This information is here to provide an overview of the sort of maintenance needs gas-powered generators have, along with some tips on how to keep them powered and running their best when you need them the most.

There are countless generators on the market, but here are a few common maintenance items:

  • After every use: Take a damp cloth and wipe down the whole unit, including all engine air inlet and outlet boards, engine cooling fins, alternator cooling air inlet and exhaust ports, along with all other surfaces. Clean spark arrester screen with wire brush.
  • After every 20 hours or so of use: Change the oil.
  • After every 50 hours or so of use: Clean air filter.
  • After 100 hours or so of use: Inspect the spark plug for cracks, a chipped insulator, extensive wear or an incorrect gap. If there are any problems, replace.
  • After 300 hours or so of use: Spark plug must be switched out if not replaced earlier.
  • Additional Good Maintenance Practices:

    • Check oil between changes.
    • Store the generator in an area that’s free of excessive dust, dirt, moisture and corrosive fumes.
    • Operate with an ethanol-free fuel designed for small engines, like TruFuel. And keep TruFuel on hand in case of emergency.
    • Get the unit out of storage every 3 months and run it for ten minutes, preferably with ethanol-free generator fuel.
  • TruFuel 4-Cycle is Engineered Fuel for Generators

    TruFuel does not have any ethanol. 4-cycle engines hate ethanol, which comprises 10% of most of the gas homeowners’ purchase from gas stations. In fact, using E15 gas (15% ethanol blend) voids many portable generator warranties, because the fuel gums up fuel lines, jets and carburetors.

    Advanced stabilizing generator fuel additives keep TruFuel fresh in your tank for 2 years and for more than 5 years unopened. This potentially eliminates the need to source fresh gas during an emergency situation, and the need to frequently replenish your stand-by fuel supply and dispose of old gas.

From tune-ups and storage to mid-season care, this section touches on the care and of your lawn mower at its most important junctures through the annual cycle.

How to Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

Lawn Mower First Start of the Season

Maintain Your Mower Through the Season

Lawn Mower Winter Care

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TruFuel is available at most home and garden centers.
Find your nearest store using your zip code.