[Number 4]

Whichever model generator you select there are quite a few "How To Break In A Generator" discussions and youtube videos out there. I ran my new HF Predator 3500 for a couple of hours with regular 30wt oil and varied the load by turning a halogen shop light (don't recall the wattage) on and off during that time. I then changed the oil (did not see a bunch of metal filings) and replaced with full synthetic Mobil 1. Gas in the tank always includes StaBil fuel stabilizer. I haven't experienced any of the stuttering that prompts some people to drill into the plastic housing for more air flow. Evidently I got a "good one". I did purchase the extended warranty and the coupon price was $699 which is on almost every HF flyer that comes in the mail.