What are the fuel/oil requirements for gas-powered ECHO® engines?

ECHO® offers two types of engines: 2-stroke and 4-stroke. Fuel and oil requirements vary depending on the engine type. 

2-Stroke Engines: All ECHO® 2-stroke engines require a 50:1 fuel-to-oil ratio. Using the correct type of fuel and oil is essential for proper engine performance and longevity. 

• 50:1 = 1 US Gallon of fuel (Mid-Grade 89 Octane to Premium 93 Octane) plus 2.6 fl. oz. of 2-stroke oil (ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified.
  • Fuel must not contain 10% or more ethanol, as higher ethanol content can cause engine damage, reduce performance, and lead to fuel system issues in small engines.  
  • ECHO® does not recommend using Regular 87 Octane as it may lack sufficient detergent additives to prevent varnish, gum, and tar buildup, which can shorten engine life. Using lower-octane fuel may also cause detonation in the combustion chamber, potentially leading to severe internal engine damage. 
  • Older ECHO® engines required different fuel-to-oil ratios, such as 32:1 or 16:1, which may be specified in the operator’s manual. However, with advances in oil technology, these engines can now safely use a 50:1 ratio. 
  • A pre-mixed fuel and oil blend can be used instead of mixing the fuel and oil manually. ECHO® offers Red Armor® Fuel which is a premix. Other manufacturers offer premix fuels such as TruFuel, Stihl MotoMix, VP, etc. As long as the the premix meets the same requirements as above, it it safe to use with ECHO® 2-stroke engines.
  • To mix fuel and oil, pour ½ gallon of fuel into an approved fuel container. Add 2.6 fl. oz. of oil to the same container. Securely close the cap and vent, then shake thoroughly for 15–30 seconds to blend. Next, add the remaining ½ gallon of fuel, close the container tightly, and shake again to ensure a complete mixture. 

4-Stroke Engines: All ECHO® 4-stroke engines do not require a mix of fuel and oil. The oil is separate from the fuel. 

Using the correct type of fuel and oil is essential for proper engine performance and longevity.

• Fuel must not contain 10% or more ethanol, as higher ethanol content can cause engine damage, reduce performance, and lead to fuel system issues in small engines.  
• ECHO® does not recommend using Regular 87 Octane as it may lack sufficient detergent additives to prevent varnish, gum, and tar buildup, which can shorten engine life. Using lower-octane fuel may also cause detonation in the combustion chamber, potentially leading to severe internal engine damage.
• Use high-quality 4-stroke engine oil meeting or exceeding API service classification SJ or higher. SAE 30 is ideal for warm weather (above 32°F / 0°C), 10W-30 works well across a wide temperature range for most outdoor conditions, and 5W-30 is recommended for colder temperatures to improve cold starting.