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4.8 Maintenance and repairs
Before beginning cleaning, adjustment, 
repair and maintenance operations:
● Park the machine on firm and level 
ground
● Stop the engine and allow it to cool 
down
● Detach the spark plug 
socket.
Caution – risk of injury!
Keep the spark plug socket 
away from the spark plug; an inadvertent 
ignition spark can result in fires or electric 
shocks.
Inadvertent contact between the spark 
plug and the spark plug socket can result 
in unwanted starting of the engine.
RM 545 VE: Additionally remove the 
battery.
Allow the machine to cool down before 
working on or around the engine, exhaust 
manifold or muffler in particular. 
Temperatures of 80° C and above can be 
reached. Danger of burns!
Direct contact with engine oil can be 
dangerous. Engine oil must not be spilled.
STIHL recommends leaving the task of 
topping up engine oil or performing engine 
oil changes to a STIHL specialist dealer.
Cleaning:
The complete machine must be cleaned 
thoroughly following use. (Ö 12.2)
Empty the fuel tank (e.g. by running it 
empty) before placing the machine in the 
cleaning position.
Remove accumulated clipping deposits 
using a stick. Clean the underside of the 
mower with water and a brush.
Never use high-pressure cleaners and do 
not clean the machine under running water 
(e.g. using a garden hose).
Do not use aggressive cleaning agents. 
These can damage plastics and metals, 
impairing the safe operation of your STIHL 
machine.
In order to prevent fire hazards, keep the 
area around the air vents, cooling ribs and 
the area of the exhaust free from 
e.g. grass, straw, moss, leaves or 
escaping grease.
Maintenance operations:
Only maintenance operations described in 
this instruction manual may be carried out. 
Have all other work performed by a 
specialist dealer.
If you do not have the necessary expertise 
or auxiliary equipment, please always 
contact a specialist dealer.
STIHL recommends that you have 
maintenance operations and repairs 
performed exclusively by a STIHL 
specialist dealer.
STIHL specialist dealers regularly attend 
training courses and are provided with 
technical information. 
Only use tools, accessories or 
attachments approved for this machine by 
STIHL or technically identical parts. 
Otherwise, there may be a risk of 
accidents resulting in personal injury or 
damage to the machine. If you have any 
questions, please consult a specialist 
dealer.
The characteristics of original STIHL tools, 
accessories and spare parts are optimally 
adapted to the machine and the user's 
requirements. Genuine STIHL spare parts 
can be recognised by the STIHL spare 
parts number, by the STIHL lettering and, 
if present, by the STIHL spare parts 
symbol. On smaller parts, only the symbol 
may be present.
For safety reasons, fuel-carrying 
components (fuel line, fuel cock, fuel tank, 
tank cap, connections, etc.) must be 
checked regularly for damage and leaks 
and replaced by a technician if necessary 
(STIHL recommends STIHL specialist 
dealers).
Always keep warning and information 
stickers clean and readable. Damaged or 
missing stickers must be replaced by new, 
original plates from your STIHL specialist 
dealer. If a component is replaced with a 
new component, ensure that the new 
component is provided with the same 
stickers.
Only perform work on the cutting unit when 
wearing thick work gloves and exercising 
extreme care.
Ensure that all nuts, pins and screws (in 
particular the blade fastening screw) are 
securely tightened so that the machine is 
in a safe operating condition.
Replace damaged exhaust silencers and 
guard plates.
Check the complete machine and the 
grass catcher box for wear or damage on 
a regular basis, particularly before 
extended periods when the machine is not 
in use (e.g. over winter). For safety 
reasons, worn or damaged parts must be 
Risk of injury due to the mowing 
blade!
Pulling the recoil starter rope starts 
the work tool rotating. Always 
ensure sufficient distance between 
the mowing blade and your body, 
particularly your hands and feet, 
when you pull the recoil starter 
rope.