Fuel
This engine is certified to operate on
unleaded gasoline and the STIHL two-
stroke engine oil at a mix ratio of 50:1.
Your engine requires a mixture of high-
quality gasoline and two-stroke air
cooled engine oil.
Use mid-grade unleaded gasoline with a
minimum octane rating of 89 ((R+M)/2)
and no more than 10% ethanol content.
NOTICE
Fuel with an octane rating below 89 may
increase engine temperatures. This, in
turn, increases the risk of piston seizure
and damage to the engine.
The chemical composition of the fuel is
also important. Some fuel additives not
only detrimentally affect elastomers
(carburetor diaphragms, oil seals, fuel
lines, etc.), but magnesium castings and
catalytic converters as well. This could
cause running problems or damage the
engine. For this reason STIHL
recommends that you use only quality
unleaded gasoline!
NOTICE
Gasoline with an ethanol content of
more than 10% can cause running
problems and major damage in engines
and should not be used.
For further details, see
www.STIHLusa.com/ethanol
The ethanol content in gasoline affects
engine speed – it may be necessary to
readjust the carburetor if you use fuels
with various ethanol contents.
HL 56 K
WARNING
To reduce the risk of personal injury
from loss of control and/or contact with
the running cutting tool, do not use your
unit with an incorrect idle adjustment. At
correct idle speed, the cutting tool
should not move.
If your machine's idle speed is
incorrectly adjusted, have your
authorized STIHL servicing dealer
check your machine and make the
proper adjustments and repairs.
The idle speed and maximum speed of
the engine change if you switch from a
fuel with a certain ethanol content to a
fuel with a much higher or lower ethanol
content.
This problem can be avoided by always
using fuel with the same ethanol
content.
To ensure the maximum performance of
your STIHL engine, use a high quality 2-
cycle engine oil. To help your engine run
cleaner and reduce harmful carbon
deposits, STIHL recommends using
STIHL HP Ultra 2-cycle engine oil or ask
your dealer for an equivalent fully
synthetic 2-cycle engine oil.
To meet the requirements of EPA and
CARB we recommend to use STIHL HP
Ultra oil.
STIHL MotoMix
STIHL recommends the use of STIHL
MotoMix. STIHL MotoMix has a high
octane rating and ensures that you
always use the right gasoline/oil mix
ratio.
STIHL MotoMix uses STIHL HP Ultra
two-stroke engine oil suited for high
performance engines.
For further details, see
www.STIHLusa.com/ethanol
If not using MotoMix, use only STIHL
two-stroke engine oil or equivalent high-
quality two-stroke engine oils that are
designed for use in air cooled two-cycle
engines.
The use of non-seasonal gasoline
blends may increase the potential for
pressure to build in the fuel tank during
operation. For example, using a winter
blend during the summer will increase
pressure in the fuel tank. Always use
gasoline blends appropriate to the
season, altitude and other
environmental factors.
Do not use NMMA or TCW rated (two-
stroke water cooled) mix oils or other
mix oils that state they are for use in both
water cooled and air cooled engines
(e.g., outboard motors, snowmobiles,
chain saws, mopeds, etc.).
WARNING
Take care when handling gasoline.
Avoid direct contact with the skin and
avoid inhaling fuel vapor. When filling at
the pump, first remove the container
from your vehicle and place the
container on the ground before filling. To
reduce the risk of sparks from static
discharge and resulting fire and/or
explosion, do not fill fuel containers that
are sitting in or on a vehicle or trailer.
The container should be kept tightly
closed in order to limit the amount of
moisture that gets into the mixture.
English
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