Gas Lawn Mower Maintenance 101: What You Should Know

Do you have a gas lawn mower? Whether it's a walk-behind or riding style, you'll need to maintain it. Like all gas-powered equipment, gas lawn mowers require maintenance. Neglecting to maintain your gas lawn mower will only shorten its usable life.

Drain Gas During the Fall

When you are finished using your gas lawn mower for the year, drain out the remaining gas. Allowing the gas to sit inside of the tank until the following year is never a good idea. It can deteriorate the inner parts of your lawn mower while promoting premature wear and tear as a result. You can make your gas lawn mower last longer by draining the tank at the end of the year.

Inspect the Blade

All gas lawn mowers have a blade. The blade, of course, is the cutting instrument that's responsible for slicing down the grass blades Over time, the blade on your gas lawn mower may become dull. The more you use your lawn mower, the duller the blade will become. Don't attempt to use your gas lawn mower if it has a dull blade. Instead, find a new compatible blade with which to replace it.

Change the Oil

Like most cars and trucks, gas lawn mowers require oil changes. They rely on oil to lubricate the engine. Without oil, your gas lawn mower's engine may suffer from friction damage. Oil protects against friction damage by lubricating the engine so that the individual parts can move with greater ease.  

How often do you need to change the oil in your gas lawn mower exactly? Different manufacturers require different oil change frequencies, so you should check the owner's manual. With that said, most gas lawn mowers require an oil change at least one or two a year.

Replace the Air Filter

Another form of maintenance you don't want to skip is replacing the air filter. Unlike electric lawn mowers, gas lawn mowers have an air filter. Gas lawn mowers are powered by a combustion engine that requires air. Before entering the combustion chamber, the air must pass through a filter. A dirty filter can lead to poor combustion, in which case your gas lawn mower may not start.

Clean the Undercarriage

Don't forget to clean the undercarriage of your gas lawn mower as well. When cutting the grass, debris will inevitably accumulate here. The undercarriage is the space underneath your gas lawn mower next to the blade. With your gas lawn mower turned off, lift it up to check and clean the undercarriage.