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How to Choose the Right Fuel for Your Garden and Outdoor Power Equipment

Lawn mowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and generators all have one thing in common: their reliability largely depends on the quality of the fuel used.

Yet fuel is often regarded as a simple consumable. However, choosing an unsuitable fuel or using fuel that has been stored for too long can lead to starting difficulties, reduced performance, and premature engine fouling.

Here are some best practices to help protect your equipment and optimize its performance.

Dunoye Charlotte
Published on 11/08/2026
1 min reading time

1. Choose Fuel That Matches Your Engine

The first step is to identify the type of engine your equipment uses:

  • 2-stroke engines require a specific gasoline and oil mixture.
  • 4-stroke engines run on gasoline only.

Using an unsuitable fuel can significantly affect engine durability and performance. It is therefore essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use a fuel specifically designed for your engine.

2. Be Aware of Fuel Aging

Many outdoor power equipment machines are used seasonally. A lawn mower, hedge trimmer, or generator may remain unused for several months.

During this period, conventional gasoline can deteriorate, resulting in:

  • Starting difficulties;
  • Deposits forming within the fuel system;
  • Irregular engine operation;
  • More frequent maintenance requirements.

For equipment that is not used on a daily basis, choosing a fuel with superior storage stability is highly recommended

3. Ensure Easy Starting After Extended Storage

Who has never struggled to start a lawn mower after winter?

In many cases, the issue is not the machine itself, but rather the fuel that has remained in the tank for several months.

A high-quality fuel with long-term stability helps minimize these problems and makes it easier to bring equipment back into service after seasonal storage.

4. Simplify the Use of 2-Stroke Engines

Preparing a gasoline/oil mixture can be a source of error, including:

  • Inaccurate mixing ratios;
  • Forgetting to add oil;
  • Poorly mixed fuel;
  • Use of unsuitable oil.

Ready-to-use fuels provide a simple and convenient solution. They ensure a consistent mixture ratio, save time, and help users operate their equipment with greater confidence and reliability.

The Actistart Solution

To meet the needs of both homeowners and professionals, TotalEnergies has developed the Actistart range for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines.

  • Actistart 2-Stroke is a ready-to-use fuel that already contains the oil required for proper engine operation.
  • Actistart 4-Stroke is specifically designed for equipment powered by 4-stroke gasoline engines.

Thanks to their high-quality formulation, Actistart fuels help maintain equipment performance, simplify operation, and support users throughout the season.