2-1
2. Operation
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS
WARNING
Gasoline and LPG are highly flam-
mable and explosive and can cause severe per-
sonal injury or death. Do not smoke or turn elec-
trical switches ON or OFF where fuel fumes,
tanks or equipment are present or in areas shar-
ing ventilation. Keep flames, sparks, pilot lights,
arc-producing equipment and switches and all
other sources of ignition well away. Keep a type
ABC fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
Gasoline Models
Use clean, fresh unleaded gasoline having a mini-
mum octane rating (Anti-Knock Index) of 87.
CAUTION
Do not use gasoline or gasoline ad-
ditives containing methanol because methanol
can be corrosive to fuel system components.
Avoid using leaded gasoline because of the ex-
tra engine maintenance that will be required.
LPG Models
Use clean, fresh HD-5 grade liquified petroleum gas
(LPG) or equivalent product consisting of at least 90
percent propane. Commercial liquified petroleum
gas fuels may contain more than 2.5 percent butane
which can result in poor fuel vaporization and poor
engine starting in low ambient temperatures (below
32° F (0° C).
Satisfactory performance on Low-Pressure LPG
models requires that the LPG vapor be supplied at a
pressure within the range indicated in Section 13.
Specifications.
WARNING
High LPG supply pressure can
cause gas leaks which can lead to fire and se-
vere personal injury or death. LPG supply pres-
sure on Low-Pressure LPG models must be ad-
justed to Section 13. Specifications by trained
and experienced personnel.
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS
Use API (American Petroleum Institute) perfor-
mance Class SJ, SH or SG engine oil, which may be
in combination with performance Class CH-4, CG-4
or CF-4 (for example: SJ/CH-4). Also look for the
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) viscosity
grade. Referring to Table 2-1, choose the viscosity
grade appropriate for the ambient temperatures ex-
pected until the next scheduled oil change.
Single-grade SAE 30 oil is preferable when temper-
atures are consistently above freezing. Multigrade
oils are better when wide temperature variations are
expected.
TABLE 2-1. OIL VISCOSITY VS.
TEMPERATURE
EXPECTED AMBIENT
TEMPERATURES
SAE VISCOSITY
GRADE
32° F (0° C) and higher 30
10° F to 100° F (–12° C to 38° C)
15W-40
(OnaMax
TM
)
0° F to 80° F (–18° C to 27° C)
10W-30
10W-40
–20° F to 50° F (–28° C to 10° C) 5W-30
STARTING BATTERIES
The genset has a 12 volt, direct current (DC) engine
cranking and control system. See Section 13. Spec-
ifications regarding minimum battery ratings for reli-
able genset cranking, especially in cold weather.
OnaMax is a trademark of Onan Corporation.