Lawn mowing season is here! Therefore, this post by James Peszko in AMSOIL: Oil Options: James will walk you through some lawn mower maintenance tips to get your small engine ready.

Spring is upon us, and a surge of greening and growth in nature comes with its sunny, warm days. Just step out into your yard, and you'll notice how the flowers have bloomed, how the foliage on the trees is a more vibrant color, and of course, how the grass has greened up and will not stop growing. In that regard, it is worth mentioning that during the spring, grass can grow up to six inches in a month; therefore, it is necessary to mow it regularly to keep it healthy and in perfect condition. Considering the above, you must maintain your lawn mower properly if you want your lawn to look lush and healthy. Ideally, your mower should have a sharp blade, a well-lubricated engine, a clean air filter, and a spark plug in good condition. If you want to learn how to perform effective lawn mower maintenance, keep reading this post by James Peszko.

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How to Perform Effective Lawn Mower Maintenance

For Starters, Check Your Owner's Manual

Reading your mower's owner's manual is the best starting point for learning when and how to perform maintenance on your mower. In addition, taking a look at the manual will allow you to learn how to improve your safety when operating the equipment, how to prepare the mower for winter storage, what to do if the small engine presents a fault, among other topics that will help you get the most out of the equipment.

Disconnect and Check the Spark Plug

Despite being a small device, your mower's spark plug plays a crucial role in igniting the engine. To better understand the importance of this device, you should know that the spark plug produces a spark that enables combustion between oxygen and fuel; as a result, the engine ignites, and the mower blade begins to rotate at high speed. With that in mind, remember that it is important to disconnect the spark plug before performing any checks on the equipment; this way, you will avoid the possibility of the engine starting by accident while inspecting it. Once you have disconnected the spark plug, check it thoroughly to replace it if necessary, if its insulator has cracks, or its electrodes are worn. If the spark plug does not show wear, it will be enough to clean it with a wire brush to reuse it.

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Check the Engine Oil

Your mower needs lubrication just like any other motor-driven machine; therefore, you must check your engine oil levels before your first mowing. If you have never done this check before, be sure to read and follow the instructions described in the owner's manual; in general, it's a simple check that consists of the following steps:

1. First, place your mower on a flat surface.
2. Make sure the engine has cooled down to avoid the risk of getting burned.
3. Open the oil filler cap.
4. Pull out the dipstick and clean it thoroughly with a piece of cloth or paper towels.
5. Once clean, insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck for a couple of seconds.
6. Remove the dipstick once again and check the oil level. Ideally, the oil should be between the upper and lower mark on the dipstick.

If your mower's oil levels are too low, refill the reservoir to the recommended level. Another important factor to consider is changing your mower's oil. If you didn't add fresh oil to your small engine before storing it for the winter, be sure to do so according to the specifications in the owner's manual.

Check Air Filter

Your mower's small engine needs pure oxygen to perform efficiently, hence the importance of having a well-maintained air filter. If the filter breaks or becomes clogged, air debris could infiltrate the engine and damage it; to prevent this from happening, check your mower's air filter according to the manufacturer's instructions in your owner's manual. If you notice that your filter is broken or badly worn, replace it with a new one to ensure clean airflow to your engine. If your filter is only clogged with debris, check your manual to review your options for cleaning it. In some cases, paper filters can be cleaned by blowing compressed air through them to loosen dirt; similarly, foam filters can be washed with soap and water.

Lastly, Check the Blade

Your mower needs a sharp blade in good condition to get the job done throughout the mowing season, so be sure to inspect the condition of your mower blade carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions as described in the owner's manual. If you notice that the blade is not sharp enough, take it to your dealer to have it disassembled, resharpened, and made as good as new. Conversely, replace your blade if you notice it's bent, cracked, or excessively worn.

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