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Many tools that use small engines to run can operate smoother and more efficiently with the right combination of gas and oil.
The mixing process is known as the fuel to oil ratio. After adding into a two-cycle type engine, the machine will start up with less priming and pulls.
For this reason, two-cycle engine oils are famous for lots of tools that are built for landscaping and lawn care.
Three of the most widely regarded brands online are detailed below, chosen for their ease of mixing, quantity, and the time it will last when that’s done, head over to the Buyer’s Guide to find out which of the three is better suited for your two-cycle engines.
What is the best 2 cycle oil (chainsaws, trimmers, etc.)? Comparison Table
Here are some of the primary differences between the products reviewed.
1. STIHL High-Performance Ultra 2 Cycle Engine Oil – Editor’s Choice
Features:
- Biodegradable formula
- No strong odors
- Cleans just as good as it lubricates
The Stihl Engine Oil, as its name suggests, is for two-cycles engines and one of the best for a wide array of power tools. It doesn’t matter if you own a chainsaw, a weeder, or an edger. So long as your engine falls under the category in which the oil formula is made for, it’ll never stall or smoke up when you turn it on.
You’ll also experience fewer pulls to start up machines. Give it a try when your tools are having a difficult time to start up, or require multiple pulls to turn it on.
Dependable and Fast Mixing
Again, smoke will become a thing of the pants. The oil is clean and not harmful to the environment. Mixing is easy as well, and there’s no pre-mixing of other substances necessary (such as a stabilizer) in order for it to function.
Just add it to any fuel you possess, and that’s it. And unlike other two-cycle oils, this one isn’t as hard on the nose. While it does have a smell, it’s not overpowering.
Even if you were to stop using your machine for a month or longer and suddenly turn it on, the startup would remain fast. The only real drawback is the cheaply-made lid. Be careful where you store it, and avoid dropping the bottles.
- This oil hardly generates any smoke.
- Is not particularly smelly.
- Biodegradable solution that breaks down in less than a month
- Flimsy cap that leaks easily
2. Echo 6450001 – Best For Echo’s Trimmers
Features:
- 2.6 gallons in each bottle that are pre-mixed
- Prevents clogging in the engine
- Great for string trimmers and weeders
The Echo 6450001 looks about the same as the previously reviewed product, having a color that’s clear but conspicuous enough for you to ensure a good mix with your fuel.
For those having the deal with repeat engine stalls, this is one of the best two-cycle oils to try out. It seems to breathe new life to old and aging engines, without clogging up the inside when it isn’t used for a while.
More on its Features
Use it on all of your two-engine lawn items. There’s no need to mix up anything; as with many high-quality oils, it’s pre-mixed. The 50:1 mixing ratio makes it ready to pour into your tank upon opening, and nothing else.
This is an ashless oil, having no ingredients in the formula that would cause it to clog up your engine or age it when operating machinery in humid environments. If you live in such a region, consider getting the 6450001 to keep your gear in tip-top shape. Say goodbye to smoking and stalls.
- Reduces engine stall on most power tools and lawn care accessories
- Ready to use upon opening, no pre-mixing is needed.
- Safe to store in rooms with no controlled temperature (garage)
- The cap can be broken easily with improper care
3. Briggs & Stratton 2-Cycle Easy Mix Motor Oil – Universal Oil With Fuel Stabilaizer
Features:
- Contains a divided measuring container and oil tip
- Suitable for use in high humidity; ashless formula
- Mixes with six-gallon of gas per bottle (on a 50:1 mixture)
The final product on the list is the Briggs and Stratton Motor Oil. The first thing that most will notice is its odd shape, whereby there’s a divided reservoir on the upper portion of the bottle that helps users mix with fuel easier.
There’s enough in the bottle to mix with a 50:1 ratio for six gallons of fuel. You could also do a 40:1, or anything smaller than you intend while getting the measurements accurate.
Why it’s Recommended
If you’re using equipment at an infrequent basis, B and S will keep things running with minimal startup issues. It’s healthy for all of your two-cycles and doesn’t need to be used often. A 50:1 mix should last you for several months, especially if you’re using high-octane gas, to begin with.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a synthetic oil. Depending on your machine’s recommended oils, this might either be recommended for something you would want to avoid.
Regardless, try out the Briggs and Stratton when you prefer mixing at ratios other than 50:1, or just want an oil that’s easier to manage than six bottles. It’s great for foreign engines that have stipulations that call for mixing with fuel that’s varied from the 50:1 and 40:1 ratios.
If you own such a machine, try it out and you’ll find that mixing is much easier to do than with your standard 2.6 bottle.
- Markers on the bottle makes it easy to blend together 40:1 and 50:1 ratios
- Allows engines that aren’t used frequently to start up like normal
- Due to the measuring dispenser, mixing isn’t likely to result in spills and leaks
- Because it’s not a synthetic oil, it may not be recommended for some two-stroke engines
Choosing the Best Two-Cycle Oil – Buyer’s Guide
Use this guide to help you narrow down your list of the three products previously reviewed.
When considering a purchase of any motor oil, always check your equipment to see what the manufacturer recommends for you to use. Some engines, even two-cycle engines, might not be advised for some equipment. Of course, this isn’t like to be an issue, yet you should still check regardless.
Knowing how to Mix
Mixing is where things can get a little confusing for some people. However, it isn’t as difficult as things might appear from the language. Two-cycle oils are generally sold in 2.6-ounce containers. When you see this amount, it means that the oil can be mixed on a 50:1 mixing ratio per 1 gallon of fuel. This is also very close to the mixing ratio of 40:1, particularly in the United States.
Some motors that are built might take a ratio of 20:1 or 25:1. In this case, you would use a 5.1-ounce bottle of oil (25:1) with one gallon of gas, or slightly higher if 20:1.
This is commonly done with some Asian machinery, especially lawn care products built in China. But for products made elsewhere, you’ll usually find 50:1 as the standard. Just remember to check with your product’s brand, online, if you must, to know exactly how to mix the formula with your machinery.
Type of Motors you Use
Two-cycle motors are mostly seen in tools used for general lawn care. They’re most often recommended for weeders, edgers, and trimmers that run off fuel. If you’re using an electric trimmer, there’s no need for you to put oil inside. Regardless of the fact that they’re generally less powerful than oil trimmers, your gas-powered trimmer would see its performance increase exponentially with the right two-cycle oil.
What Two-Engine Oils can do For Your Engine
Two-cycle oil is meant to better the performance of your engines. But to be specific, it allows for your engines, functions to operate smoother, and with fewer issues that are commonly found on engines that aren’t using such oils. For example, your engine’s interior could be clogged, one of the primary causes of smoking.
If you’ve noticed your engine smoking from time to time, this could likely be the case if you don’t frequently add oil to the motor.
A simple mix of two-cycle oil with fuel will fix this problem almost immediately. Your engine will also burn this mixture better, and with less smell coming from the exhaust.
Summary/Conclusion
Which two-cycle oil do you think is the best? Of course, there were only three shown in the reviews. Each of them has its unique advantages and recommendations, yet the STIHL High-Performance Ultra 2 is a proven winner when it comes to multiple power tools. No matter if you’re using a weeder or a chainsaw, this is the right oil to try when you need to keep your engine (or engines since there are six bottles total) running efficiently and without stalling.
This isn’t to say that the other two oils are inferior products, mind you. They’re also great, more so when mixing with engines that carry blending stipulations (as laid out in the buyer’s section) and manufacturer recommendations. So whichever two-cycle oil you end up with, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, more clean engine run.
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