Two-stroke engines derive lubrication from the oil mixed directly into the gasoline, unlike your car engine, which lubricates itself with oil housed in an oil sump and circulated by an oil pump. Read more about the differences between two- and four-stroke engines.
Untangling different mix ratio recommendations and mixing multiple containers of fuel is a hassle, particularly for professionals who run several different pieces of equipment. What if there was one solution for different two-stroke oil mix ratios that worked in all your equipment?
The mix ratio is the proportion of gas to oil, expressed as a ratio. For example, 50:1 means 50 parts gas to 1 part oil.
Oil mix ratios explained
If your manufacturer recommends a 50:1 fuel/oil mix, it means you need 50 parts of gas to one part two-stroke oil. To mix one gallon of fuel at 50:1, add 2.6 ounces of two-stroke oil to one gallon of gas, as shown in the chart below. Don’t worry, we’re going to eliminate the need for a metric chart shortly.
Different mix ratios create confusion
Different equipment manufacturers recommend different oil mix ratios, complicating matters. Most modern chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers and other small-engine two-stroke equipment recommend a 50:1 oil mix ratio, but some recommend 40:1 and older two-stroke equipment might even call for 32:1. Multiple pieces of equipment with different mix ratios would traditionally require mixing and storing multiple cans of fuel. That’s not only a hassle, but it’s also a recipe for misapplication.
This scenario can be a big problem for landscapers and other professionals who operate multiple pieces of equipment under heavy use. But plenty of homeowners also maintain older equipment that call for a richer fuel mixture. It would be so much easier if every manufacturer recommended the same mix ratio…
thank you
Thanks for posting this, great to know. I have been using your two stroke oils for years at 50:1, i will switch to 100:1.
This a great in-depth post… I believe many people haven’t learned about two-stroke mix ratios and that you have to take into account the quality of AMSOIL Saber two-stroke oil to understand that it can be run at 100:1. Having 1 mix for everything is the way to go!
I have reviewed some the best 2 stroke oil for chainsaw.AMSOIL Saber Professional Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil is really an awesome oil for delivering so much much power to the chainsaw. It is low in smoke and very affordable in price.
Great in detail information. Really helpful information about 2 stroke oil mixing confusion. A lot of people find it really confusing and hard. I think this content will help them.
How is this SABER blend different from the original 100:1 AMSOIL 2 stroke oil for dirt bikes? I’ve been running the original type oil since 1983 and I was told that AMSOIL changed the formula for the bikes and that the 100:1 ratio oil is only recommended for lawn equipment now, and that dirt bikes require a different AMSOIL formula at a 50:1 ratio.
I’m about to run out of the original formula 100:1 oil. I have 3 quads and 4 bikes (all are 500cc engines) and I don’t want to have to re-jet them all. One of them has 2 carburetors and is no fun to re-jet.
I am a lifetime dealer for AMSOIL. By the way, I was also told that the racers had successfully run the old oil at 280:1.
Hi Barry,
We always look at the needs of the specific equipment, and two-stroke lawn and landscape equipment is running hotter and leaner than ever before. We adjusted the formulation of SABER Professional to account for these needs. We haven’t formally tested SABER in two-stroke dirt bikes since the majority of people use the product in handheld lawn and landscape equipment, which is also why we no longer formally recommend it in powersports applications. That said, however, you can continue to use it in your two-stroke bikes and ATVs. The formulation changes we’ve made will not have an adverse effect on protection in those applications.
Thanks,
John
I live on Long Island and cannot locate where to purchase AMSOIL for my chainsaw. This is very confusing as I did a lot of searches, and one store said they have AMSOIL for everything but chainsaws. Zip code 11779, help please.
Hi Bill,
I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling to find our products. Try using our AMSOIL Locator and searching for your nearest independent AMSOIL Dealer. Give him or her a call, and he or she will be glad to help. You can also order directly at AMSOIL.com.
Good luck,
John
What mix ratio should be used to run 50.32.40 to one. Just one mix to run any of the ratios listed.
Hi Jerry,
Check out our mixing guide here to see the correct amount of oil to use for those mix ratios.
Thanks,
John
Thank you for making great content.
I WAS JUST WONDERING? IN WHAT APPLIATIONS DO YOU RECCOMMEND USING THE DOMINATOR 2 STROKE MIX? I HAVE USED BOTH OF THEM IN ALL MY SMALL ENGINES AT 50.1 NEVER HAVE HAD ANY TROUBLE. AMSOIL MAKES GREAT PRODUCTS.
Hi Randy,
Use DOMINATOR Synthetic 2-Stroke Racing Oil in high-performance stock or modified two-stroke engines, including air- or liquid-cooled snowmobiles, personal watercraft, motorcycles (moto X), ATVs, go-carts and outboard motors. It’s good for use with coated or non-coated pistons, high-octane racing fuels and exhaust power valves. Use it in oil-injected and pre-mix applications that require API TC oils. In pre-mix applications, DOMINATOR delivers outstanding protection at 50:1 (2.6 oz. oil per U.S. gallon of gas), although many racers modify the mix ratio to suit their setup. It’s not suitable for use with alcohol or nitro-methane fuels.
Thanks,
John
I have an older blower that calls for 20:1. If I use your 100:1 oil, what ratio should I use?
Would it hurt to mix your oil at 20:1?
Would it be safe to mix your oil at 100:1 for use in my 20:1 manufacturer-recommended blower?
What would you recommend?
Hi Robert,
You’re perfectly safe using AMSOIL SABER Professional Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil at 100:1 in your blower. If 100:1 is too lean for your taste, start at 50:1 and go from there. It’ll provide excellent protection at either mix ratio.
Thanks,
John