Gas Pressure Washers

No

All of our residential gas powered pressure washers have 4-stroke engines, so you should not mix oil with the gas. Simply use your favorite brand of unleaded gasoline with your Kärcher gas powered pressure washer.

NOTE: you do need to properly fill the engine's oil reservoir with the included engine oil (please consult the owner's manual), but it should not be mixed with the gasoline.

To clean with detergents:

• (models with detergent tank) Fill the detergent tank with properly diluted soap/detergent
• (models without detergent tank) Insert the detergent siphon hose into a bucket filled with properly diluted soap/detergent
• Attach the black detergent nozzle to the spray wand (required step!)
• Press the trigger gun to begin spraying soap/detergent (note: detergents are always applied at lower pressure)

To switch back to cleaning with water:

• Remove the black detergent nozzle and insert any of the other nozzles

If your model has a detergent tank, remember to clean it out when you are finished pressure washing. 

There are many brands and formulas available – just be sure to only use detergents that are specifically formulated to work with pressure washers. We make two formulas that are thoroughly tested to work with our high pressure cleaners: a Multipurpose Detergent and a Vehicle Wash & Wax. These formulas make up to 20 gallons of ready-to-use detergent from one gallon of concentrate and are Made in the USA.

Our gas powered washers are equipped with either a detergent tank or siphon hose, to make working with detergents easy and convenient. 

Tip: NEVER run bleach through the detergent tank or siphon nozzle. It can damage the pump and will void your warranty.

No

These are residential high pressure cleaners designed to work with your home’s tap water. The water temperature should not exceed 122℉ (140℉ on the 3500-4000 PSI models). Use of hot water (e.g., from a water heater) will damage a residential pressure washer's pump.

For most homes it is not necessary to clean with hot water. Use detergents instead to help loosen dirt and grime, if needed.

If you absolutely need to clean with hot water, please consider one of our commercial hot water models.

Our gas powered high pressure cleaners are available directly from Kärcher here on our site (with free shipping), and are seasonally available in select independent hardware stores, usually in the outdoor power equipment section. Please call ahead to confirm with your favorite retailer.

Online our gas pressure washers are also available from:

• Home Depot
• Lowe's
• Pressure Washers Direct
• Tractor Supply
• Walmart

and other fine online retailers.  

While pressure washers deliver up to 4000 psi, accessories can make certain cleaning tasks easier and also help you clean more thoroughly. Here are our top recommendations:

• Surface Cleaner: Our #1 selling accessory helps you clean large areas (driveways, decks, sidewalks, etc.) more quickly and evenly 
• Soft Bristle Brush: For cleaning more delicate objects, especially when paired with our Multipurpose Detergent and Vehicle Wash & Wax. 
• Second Story Nozzles: To help you clean overhead areas
• Extension Hose: Extend the reach and working area of your pressure washer
• 6-in-1 Nozzle: Quickly switch spray patterns without changing spray tips/nozzles

Garden hose:

There is no need to buy a special garden hose. A regular, good quality garden hose with these specs is ideal:

• Preferably 5/8" or larger diameter (5/8" is the most common hose diameter in the US)
• 50 Feet or less in length

A hose with these specifications should deliver the necessary water flow. Most homes will already have one or more of these.

You do need to have sufficient a water flow rate from your outdoor spigots – see the next question for more details.

Water pressure:

Any regular residential water supply is fine (city or well water). For optimum results, you should have a water flow of 4 gallons per minute at a minimum of 40 PSI. Most homes in the U.S. will meet this requirement.

To find out your home's water flow rate: 

• connect your garden hose to an outside spigot
• insert the other end of the hose into a 5 gallon bucket
  turn the water spigot fully on
• allow the water to run into the bucket for one minute, then switch it off
• see how much water is in the bucket. It should be at least four gallons or more.

No

Most people use the words interchangeably. In the past the term power washer was sometimes used to indicate pressure cleaning with hot water, or used in conjunction with electric powered models, but these days most consumers understand the terms "pressure washer" and "power washer" to mean the same thing. 

You may also hear Europeans use the term high pressure cleaner, which is also the same thing. 

Overall the most popular term you're likely to hear and read in the US is pressure washer. 

Yes – except gas.

All of the basic accessories (trigger gun, high pressure hose, spray wand, spray nozzles, etc.) are included, as well as a bottle of engine oil. You need only supply gas (unleaded). 

Many users find that adding specialized accessories or detergents helps them clean more quickly and thoroughly – those items can be purchased separately.

For most homeowners, an axial pump is a solid, economical choice.

An axial pump is often the best choice for residential use. If you intend to use a pressure washer to regularly clean one or a few homes, an axial cam pump will deliver more than enough pressure (PSI) and at a good price.

For heavy-duty users, or those who insist on having the most durable parts, consider a triplex pump.

Triplex pumps are made of more durable components and have three pistons (the "tri" in triplex). They can output higher pressure (PSI) than axial cam pumps, and in general will last longer, especially if used frequently. Due to their more durable components and design, they are more expensive to produce. 

Please see the product comparison chart to learn which pump is featured on each model.

Please see our Pressure Washer Spray Guns page for a complete list of our residential trigger guns and compatibility information. If your model isn't listed, please contact our customer service team.