Husqvarna XP 2 Cycle Oil, 6.4 oz Bottle

The 6.4 oz bottle of Husqvarna 2 cycle oil holds the same XP synthetic blend as the larger size, measured to mix 2.5 gallons of gasoline at 50:1. It suits homeowners, small batches and anyone who wants fresher fuel instead of a big can that sits.

Small batch, fresher fuel

The biggest enemy of a saw that only runs now and then is old fuel. Ethanol gas picks up water and goes stale, and a 5 gallon can that takes three months to use is a carburetor problem waiting to happen. The 6.4 oz bottle mixes 2.5 gallons, which is easier to use up while it is still fresh.

It is also the size a lot of people keep as a spare. Toss one in the truck so a crew member can mix a can on site if the main fuel runs out halfway through a removal.

Small bottles also make sense for equipment that needs its own fuel. If you run one older machine that calls for a different ratio, or you want a separate can for the pole saw that only comes out on pruning jobs, a 2.5 gallon batch keeps things simple.

What the XP oil does

Husqvarna two stroke oil in the XP line is a synthetic blend made for high-rpm handheld engines. In a 2-stroke, the oil in the fuel is the only thing lubricating the bearings and piston, so oil quality has a direct effect on how long the engine lasts and how clean it runs.

A good blend helps keep carbon off the piston crown and out of the muffler screen and exhaust port. That keeps power up and the saw easier to tune. It does not fix a dull chain or a clogged air filter, but it removes one common cause of trouble.

The oil in the fuel also carries heat away from the piston and helps seal the rings. When the oil film breaks down from heat or a lean mix, damage happens quickly. Using a known oil at the correct ratio is cheap protection for an expensive saw.

How to mix it

Pour the full bottle into a clean, labeled fuel can, then add 2.5 gallons of fresh gasoline at the octane your manual calls for. Close the can and shake it. Shake again before every refuel. If you use a different ratio for any machine, keep that mix in its own marked can.

Mixing in the can rather than in the saw tank gives a far more even blend. Never pour oil directly into the saw tank and top it off with gas. That is how pistons get scored.

If your crew burns through fuel quickly, the 12.8 oz bottle mixes a full 5 gallons. For machines that sit for long periods, consider Husqvarna premix fuel, which is ethanol-free and stores better.

Storage and safety

Store sealed bottles in a cool, dry spot. Keep mixed fuel in an approved safety can, out of direct sun, and use it within a few weeks if it was made with ethanol pump gas. Refuel with the engine off and cool, away from where you will start it, and clean up spills before starting.

Follow the engine maker's fuel and oil recommendations. If a machine is still under warranty, check what the warranty requires before changing oils.

If you are not sure whether a can of mix is still good, it is cheaper to dispose of it properly and mix a fresh batch than to rebuild a carburetor. Take old fuel to a hazardous waste collection site; do not pour it on the ground.