Craftsman 917.378500 Owner's Manual page 10

BEFORE STARTmNG ENGmNE
ADD OraL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
A CAUTmON: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
4. Insert and tighten dipstick.
mMPORTANT:
* Check oil level before each use. Add oil
if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
* Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL_' in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
ADD GASOUNE
* Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-
ness.
_h, CAUTmON: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
A CAUTmON: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-
nol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and formation of acids during
storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To
avoid engine problems, the fuel system
should be emptied before storage of 30
days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
Gasoline
filler cap
Oil
cap
TO STOP ENGmNE
,, To stop engine, release operator pres-
ence control bar. W]ak until blade and
all moving parts have stopped and turn
fuel valve to OFF position if you do not
intend to restart the engine soon.
OFF lever
Fuel valve lever
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the prod-
uct and should be considered normal.
1. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON position.
2. Move choke lever to ON (N) position.
3. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
NOTE: The choke lever automatically
begins moving to the OFF position when
operator presence control bar is held
down to handle.
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