Do you have a scooter that you love to ride? It can be difficult to determine what sort of gas your scooter might need. So, what type of gas does your 50cc scooter need?
A 50cc scooter typically requires 90 octane or higher, unleaded fuel, especially if the scooter has a 4-stroke engine. If using lower than 90 octane the engine and performance of the scooter will suffer. In general, refer to the owner’s manual to know exactly which fuel is best for the 50cc scooter.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of gas that are available for scooters. We will also talk about the benefits of each type of gas. So, if you are looking to buy a scooter, or just want to learn more about them, keep reading!
What Kind of Gas Should You Put in Your 50cc Scooter?
Your 50cc scooter will likely need 90+ rated fuel. Buying premium gas for your 50cc scooter will help with the performance of the vehicle in the long run. The scooter will also have less wear and tear on the engine if you are using premium gas, as directed by the manufacturer.
One place you can look to see what type of gasoline your 50cc scooter needs is in the owner’s manual. This should list the best fuel for the scooter’s engine.
Another place you may see the type of fuel noted is near the gas cap. Often the scooter manufacturers will put warnings about the types of fuel to avoid adding to your scooter.
Some scooters may be able to run on 87 octane gasoline, but the majority of 50cc scooters require 90 octane or higher fuel.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can try 87 octane gasoline. However, your scooter’s performance will suffer. Putting a lower octane fuel than suggested by the manufacturer will cause long-term damage to the scooter.
You may not notice a difference in how your engine sounds, but the lower octane fuel is causing the following to happen to your scooter:
- Faster rusting of the exhaust
- More difficult to ride at top speed
- Exhaust backfire
- Increase in carbon emissions
- Difficult to start when temperatures are colder
Be careful adding lower quality fuel to your scooter. Some people do this to try and save money, but it can ruin your scooter’s engine.
Keep in Mind Where You Get Gas for Your 50cc Scooter
You may not know this but when you go out of your way to find the cheapest gas, you could be sacrificing quality. There are different octane levels provided at most gas stations. Know that when you buy gas from a larger corporation, like Shell or BP, you are most likely getting the gas as described.
For example, their 87-octane fuel is likely to actually be 87 octane, whereas if you bought the same 87 fuel from a local gas station, you may be getting a lower octane, say 80 level.
This can also impact your scooter engine, so be careful where you buy your gas from as well.
What Type of Fuel Does A 50cc Scooter Need?
A 50cc scooter generally uses gasoline you can purchase at your local gas station. You may hear people talk about using unleaded gas, or 87 octane gasoline. These are both the same thing and will work just fine in your scooter if the owner’s manual states as such.
You should avoid using higher octane gas, such as 89 or 91 octane gasoline if your scooter only requires low octane gasoline.
Premium gas is more expensive and is not always necessary for your scooter. Using premium gas instead of low octane gas, when your scooter needs low octane gas can have some extreme consequences.
The following are a list of outcomes that may occur if you use too high-octane level gas in your scooter that needs low octane fuel:
- Brown fuel sediment on spark plugs, pistons, and valves
- Oil gets hotter and can evaporate if using a thin oil
This can have major consequences for your scooter’s engine. Overall, use the octane level fuel recommended in the owner’s manual for your scooter. This will mitigate any issues and keep your engine in tip-top condition.
What Types of Fuel Does My 50cc Scooter Take?
Your 50cc scooter uses regular gasoline found at any gas station. You should not put any of the following types of fuel in your 50cc scooter unless it is specified in the owner’s manual:
- Diesel
- Solar oil
- Biodiesel
- Propane
- Kerosene
- Vegetable oil
If you add these to your scooter’s gas tank you are looking at a poor outcome. Using fuel that is not specific to your engine will cause many different problems. Namely, you could be facing needing a full gas tank cleanout. If this happens, do not start your scooter’s engine. Instead, bring it to a mechanic that can pump and rinse the gas tank.
Can My 50cc Scooter Take Regular Gas?
Your scooter can take regular unleaded (low octane) gas, but you will get fewer miles per gallon, especially if the scooter requires high octane gasoline.
If the scooter’s engine is designed to run on low octane fuel, using a higher-grade gas will not give your scooter any performance benefits. Using premium gas in a scooter that needs low octane can damage the engine.
Additionally, if the scooter’s engine requires high octane fuel, using a lower grade gas will certainly have negative impacts on the scooter’s performance.
Is My 50cc Scooter A 2-Stroke Or 4-Stroke Engine?
Many times, the 50cc scooter manufactured by today’s standards all have 2-stroke engines. However, there are some exceptions to this and 50cc scooters can also have 4-stroke engines.
Today’s 50cc scooters are 2-stroke and 100cc scooters are usually 4-stroke. This can have an impact on the type of gas you put in your scooter, as larger engines (4-stroke) generally require premium gas.
However, many scooter dealers will tell you that 2-stroke scooters are better because they can produce more power. And if the trade-off is that you can also purchase cheaper gas, that sounds like a win in our book!
Key Takeaways: 50cc Scooters Take High or Low Octane Gas
Your 50cc scooter may take high or low octane gas depending on the size of the engine. You should read over the owner’s manual carefully to determine which octane level is right for your scooter.
Sources:
https://scootdawg.proboards.com/thread/9969/octane-put-50cc-scoot
