Fuel And Oil; Fuel Recommendations; Oil Recommendation - Mercury 200 Operation And Maintenance Manual

Fuel Recommendations

IMPORTANT: Use of improper gasoline can damage your engine. Engine damage resulting from the use of
improper gasoline is considered misuse of the engine, and damage caused thereby will not be covered under the
limited warranty.
FUEL RATINGS
Mercury Marine engines will operate satisfactorily when using a major brand of unleaded gasoline meeting the
following specifications:
USA and Canada ‑ having a posted pump Octane Rating of 87 (R+M)/2 minimum. Premium gasoline [92 (R+M)/
2 Octane] is also acceptable. Do NOT use leaded gasoline.
Outside USA and Canada ‑ having a posted pump Octane Rating of 90 RON minimum. Premium gasoline (98
RON) is also acceptable. If unleaded gasoline is not available, use a major brand of leaded gasoline.
USING REFORMULATED (OXYGENATED) GASOLINES (USA ONLY)
This type of gasoline is required in certain areas of the USA. The 2 types of oxygenates used in these fuels are
Alcohol (Ethanol) or Ether (MTBE or ETBE). If Ethanol is the oxygenate that is used in the gasoline in your area,
refer to Gasolines Containing Alcohol.
These Reformulated Gasolines are acceptable for use in your Mercury Marine engine.
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL
If the gasoline in your area contains either methanol (methyl alcohol) or ethanol (ethyl alcohol), you should be
aware of certain adverse effects that can occur. These adverse effects are more severe with methanol. Increasing
the percentage of alcohol in the fuel can also worsen these adverse effects.
Some of these adverse effects are caused because the alcohol in the gasoline can absorb moisture from the air,
resulting in a separation of the water/alcohol from the gasoline in the fuel tank.
The fuel system components on your Mercury Marine engine will withstand up to 10% alcohol content in the
gasoline. We do not know what percentage your boat's fuel system will withstand. Contact your boat manufacturer
for specific recommendations on the boat's fuel system components (fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fittings). Be aware
that gasolines containing alcohol may cause increased:
• Corrosion of metal parts
• Deterioration of rubber or plastic parts
• Fuel permeation through rubber fuel lines
• Starting and operating difficulties
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD: Fuel leakage from any part of the fuel system can be a fire and explosion
hazard which can cause serious bodily injury or death. Careful periodic inspection of entire fuel system is
mandatory, particularly after storage. All fuel components should be inspected for leakage, softening, hardening,
swelling or corrosion. Any sign of leakage or deterioration requires replacement before further engine operation.
Because of possible adverse effects of alcohol in gasoline, it is recommended that only alcohol‑free gasoline be
used where possible. If only fuel containing alcohol is available, or if the presence of alcohol is unknown, increased
inspection frequency for leaks and abnormalities is required.
IMPORTANT: When operating a Mercury Marine engine on gasoline containing alcohol, storage of gasoline in the
fuel tank for long periods should be avoided. Long periods of storage, common to boats, create unique problems.
In cars, alcohol‑blend fuels normally are consumed before they can absorb enough moisture to cause trouble, but
boats often sit idle long enough for phase separation to take place. In addition, internal corrosion may take place
during storage if alcohol has washed protective oil films from internal components.

Oil Recommendation

Recommended Oil Mercury or Quicksilver Premium 2‑Cycle TC‑W3 Outboard Oil

FUEL AND OIL

WARNING
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