The best lawn mower maintenance includes a spring tune-up and fall winterization. Additionally, lawn mowers need routine cleaning and inspection. If you have a gas lawn mower, closely monitor its oil level and fuel quality.
A well-maintained mower lasts longer and cuts better. In this guide, I’ll break down all the weekly, monthly, and seasonal services your mower needs to stay in tip-top shape. I also spoke with an expert mechanic who shared his top money-saving secrets and troubleshooting tips.
Lawn mower maintenance by season
Yearly lawn mower maintenance is key to a pristine lawn. Forgoing service leads to failure because messy mowers massacre lawns. Avoid folly by following our lawn mower maintenance schedule for spring, summer, and fall.
Spring tune-up
When spring is in the air, prepare engines to blare with a complete lawn mower tune-up. It only takes 1 to 2 hours, and most parts are cheap. Yet, it’ll improve the mower’s performance, cut quality, and engine life.
After winter, many lawn mowers won’t start without a spring tune-up. Hence, early spring is the lawn mower repairman’s busiest time. To save yourself from lengthy waitlists, seek lawn mower service before the spring green-up. Alternatively, start your DIY mower maintenance journey with the following spring services.
✔ Change the oil
Timely oil changes extend engine life, making it critical for gas lawn mowers. Oil lubricates the engine, reducing friction against its moving parts. Over time, engine oil degrades and even evaporates. Without proper lubrication, the engine is easily damaged.
One quart of oil is enough for walk-behind lawn mowers, but riding mowers may require 2 quarts. Additionally, riding lawn mowers need their oil filter replaced.
✔ Replace the spark plugs
Spark plugs ignite fuel, causing combustion. Over time, they get dirty and stressed, making starting the lawn mower difficult (or impossible). So, it’s best to replace gas mower spark plugs each spring.
Most gas lawn mowers have one spark plug, but some have two:
- Walk-behinds (push and self-propelled lawn mowers) have 1-cylinder engines, so they only need one spark plug.
- Riding mowers (lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers) with 1-cylinder engines need one spark plug, and high-performance models with 2-cylinder engines need two spark plugs.
✔ Clean/replace the air filter
By obstructing dirt and debris, the air filter protects the engine. However, even the best gas lawn mowers malfunction from a clogged filter.
An ideal fuel-to-air ratio is crucial for combustion, but clogs keep air from entering the engine. If the carburetor can’t mix enough air into the gas, engine performance suffers. At a point, there won’t be enough air for the fuel to ignite, so the lawn mower won’t start.
Ensure that the air filter is clean and intact:
- Cleaning: First, read the mower manual’s instructions. Use an air compressor to clean paper filters, but use a mild soap to clean washable filters.
- Replacing: If the filter’s damaged or too difficult to clean, replace it.
✔ Sharpen your mower blades
Sharp blades make crisp cuts — conversely, dull blades butcher grass. Hence, lawns look and feel more lively when mowed with sharp, balanced blades.
Although some find success sharpening their mower blades with a grindstone, a bench grinder is necessary in many situations. Since most people lack a bench grinder and grindstone, they replace their blades or visit a service shop.
✔ Check/replace the belts
Mowing with a bad belt is difficult at best, so inspect the mower’s belts for damage. If a belt is cracked or worn, replace it.
✔ Refuel your mower
Start spring on the right foot by filling your mower with brand-new fuel. Ethanol-free gas is best for lawn equipment. We also recommend adding an additive.
Fuel additives are mixed with the gas to improve engine performance, fuel efficiency, and engine life. Many also stabilize fuel and reduce emissions. Although some homeowners add it to every tank, we recommend doing so at least once a season.
✔ Change the fuel filter
The fuel filter keeps the fuel system running right, thus prolonging the life of your mower.
✔ Charge the battery
Refresh your riding mower by charging its battery. Even the best riding lawn mowers can’t reach peak performance with a weak battery.
✔ Check the tire pressure
A riding mower with low tire pressure is bumpy for you and the grass. Well-inflated tires improve the smoothness of your ride and the grass’s cut. But low-pressure tires stress out the engine and transmission, potentially leading to costly riding lawn mower repairs.
To check a tire’s air pressure, use a gauge. If you don’t have a gauge, use your hand to make sure the tires aren’t soft or squishy.
✔ Clean the carburetor
As fuel sits, it turns into a varnish that blocks the carburetor’s passages. Lacking fuel, the engine either doesn’t start or starts then stalls. Use a carburetor cleaner to spray the carburetor and its passages.
✔ Clean the mower deck
Always ensure the deck is clean. It should be free from debris, oil, gas, and other containments. Doing so improves the mower’s cut quality because excessive debris restricts airflow. With a lack of circulating air, grass can’t stand straight while it’s cut.
Mowing with low airflow is like giving a wiggling child a haircut. Since the grass isn’t upright, it can’t get an even trim. Additionally, the grass is easily damaged. I recommend cleaning the deck after every cut.
My tip: If you have a mulching mower, don’t waste your investment with a dirty deck. Increased airflow is one of the benefits of mulching mowers. When the air is obstructed, clumpy clippings create a big mess.
Summer maintenance
If your grass is still growing, your lawn needs mowing. Hence, summer lawn mower maintenance is a must. Lawn mowers work like a champ when given the right regimen.
So, don’t forget to repeat these maintenance tasks during the summer:
- Clean the air filter, then inspect it for damage. Replace it, if needed.
- Refuel with an additive to keep gas fresh.
- Inspect the mower belts and replace any that are broken or worn out.
- Check the tire pressure and inflate as needed.
- Clean the mower deck after each mow.
- Clean and inspect the mower blades after each mow. Make sure your blades stay sharp.
To gain a better understanding of the type of grass in your area, refer to our guides:
- Guide to Warm-Season Grasses
- Guide to Cool-Season Grasses
- Guide to Growing Grass in the Transition Zone
Fall winterization
Winterize your lawn mower in the fall, so you don’t miss a beat come spring. The process protects lawn care equipment from corrosion and moisture. In fact, many mowers won’t start in the spring without fall service.
When winterizing lawn care equipment, first refer to the mower manual. Then, complete the following steps:
- Drain the fuel. Refuel with a fuel stabilizer or leave the tank empty all winter.
- Clean the mower thoroughly, including the underdeck and blades.
- Remove the battery before placing it in winter storage.
- Store in a dry, cool area, like a tool shed, workshop, or garage.
What’s a fuel stabilizer? It provides gas with protection. By reducing evaporation and blocking external moisture, the fuel stabilizer keeps gas fresh. If the mower might sit around for several weeks without any action, adding it is a must.
Preventative lawn mower maintenance
Avoid lawn mower mishaps by staying on top of preventative maintenance. It’s the best way to keep your mower in tip-top shape. However, timing is key to prevention. Next, I’ll cover how often lawn mowers require each service.
Weekly tasks
- Clean the mower blades
- Clean the mower deck
- Monitor the oil level
- Check the tire pressure
Monthly tasks
- Clean the air filter, and inspect it for damage.
- Check the battery on riding lawn mowers.
- Lubricate the mower’s moving parts with WD-40 or bearing grease.
- Refuel with a fuel additive.
- Check the mower belts for damage and proper tension.
Annual service
Most mowers need the following services annually, but check your mower’s manual for model-specific recommendations.
- Change oil: Most mowers need new oil after one year, or 25 to 50 hours of operation (whichever comes first).
- Replace spark plugs: Most mowers need their spark plugs replaced after one year, or 25 to 50 hours of operation.
- Clean carburetor: Use carburetor cleaner once a year or after 25 to 50 hours of operation.
- Replace mower blades: Most mower blades need sharpening or replacing after 20 to 25 hours of use.
Lawn mower troubleshooting tips
I asked expert mechanic Jeff Yochum, of Ring Container Technologies in Valdosta, Ga., for advice on lawn mower troubleshooting. He shared his top tips to diagnose and treat the most common mower issues. Getting your mower running like a champ typically takes a few simple steps.
Your lawn mower engine won’t start
If your lawn mower won’t start, complete the following troubleshooting steps:
- Check the fuel level. Make sure the mower has gas.
- Check the carburetor. “Make sure you’re getting gas to the carb. If not, you’ve either got a collapsed fuel line, or the fuel line’s just no good,” Yochum explains.
- Check the spark plug. Make sure it’s getting spark. If not, replace it.
- Clean the carburetor, including its fuel passages, inlet, needle, and seat.
- Take it to a pro. If the previous steps don’t fix the problem, Yochum recommends taking your mower to a pro.
Your lawn mower starts, then stalls a few seconds later
Yochum says, “It’s definitely a carburetor problem,” when a lawn mower starts, then stalls a few seconds later. Thus, complete the following troubleshooting steps:
- Check the carburetor to make sure it’s getting fuel.
- Clean the carburetor, including the inlet, needle, seat, and fuel passages.
- Take it to a pro. If the problem persists, you need a new carburetor.
White smoke is coming out of your mower’s exhaust
White smoke comes out of the exhaust when water leaks into the lawn mower’s fuel.
“White smoke is definitely water in the combustion chamber. It may be mixed in with the gas from rain,” Yochum explains. “But if you have a water-cooled engine, you may have a blown head gasket. If the latter is the case, you should take it to a pro.”
Cost-saving maintenance tips
Next, Yochum reveals his secrets to saving money on lawn mower maintenance:
- DIY lawn mower maintenance saves money by eliminating labor and transportation fees.
- Buy mower parts online. Parts are usually cheaper online, including spark plugs, blades, belts, oil, and filters.
- Stay on top of blades and belts. Yochum says, “Ensure your blades are sharp and your belts stay properly tensioned to lengthen the life of your belts and blades.”
- Safely store the mower’s fuel. Ensure your gas cans stay free from contaminants, so the gas doesn’t corrupt the fuel system.
- Stay up-to-date with oil changes. Maintain your oil level and oil changes to lengthen the life of your engine.
The following table gives typical price ranges for common mower maintenance parts and supplies.
| Air Filter | $6 to $20 |
| Bearing grease | $4 to $20 |
| Carburetor cleaner | $4 to $12 |
| Engine Oil (1 quart) | $4 to $8 |
| Fuel Additive | $6 to $20 |
| Fuel Filter | $5 to $20 |
| Mower blades (1) | $10 to $15 |
| Oil filter | $4 to $15 |
| Spark plugs | $4 to $12 |
| WD-40 | $4 to $8 |
When to call a professional
It’s worth paying a pro for lawn mower service under these circumstances:
- You’re out of your league. If you don’t know what you’re doing, missteps may cause costly repairs.
- The lawn mower needs repairs, and you’re not a mechanic. After receiving a quote, compare the repair price to the cost of a lawn mower. For example, repairing a riding lawn mower’s engine or transmission often costs almost as much as a new mower.
- The cause of concern is difficult to identify. If simple troubleshooting doesn’t reveal what’s needed, a mower repair shop’s experienced technicians and elite equipment can identify and fix the problem.
- You’re short on time, and money isn’t an issue. If you are not on a budget and don’t want to get your nails dirty, having your mower maintained at a service shop is much more convenient.
FAQ about lawn mower maintenance
Drain the gas if a mower won’t get used for a few weeks. Leave the tank empty or treat the new gas with a fuel stabilizer.
Yes, it’s okay to hose down a mower.
Most lawn mower batteries last 3 to 4 years, but some need replacing in just 2 years, and others last as long as 5 years.
Most homeowners need a full lawn mower tune-up yearly (in early spring). However, it’s best to clean and inspect them after each mow.
Hire a lawn care pro near you
Hiring a lawn care pro is usually cheaper than owning and maintaining a mower. Additionally, a pro saves you time, sweat, and struggle.
Lawn Love connects you to local qualified pros for routine lawn maintenance, treatments, and cleanups. In fact, we help homeowners with over 30 outdoor services. It only takes a moment to get an online quote, and you can manage all your services with our user-friendly app.
Sources:
- Yochum, J., Ring Container Technologies, personal interview
Main Photo Credit: Pexels
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