How To Change Oil In Lawn Mower – 5 Easy Steps

Are you a homeowner faced with the task of changing the oil in your lawn mower yourself? You should know that it’s recommended to change the oil in your mower at least once a year or after every 50 hours of operation.

This blog will take you through all the necessary steps to do an effective and efficient job. From locating and draining old oil, refilling with new motor oil, and replacing filters, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to change your lawn mower into working condition for another season.

Get ready for tips on making sure your lawn mower is serviced correctly!

When and How to Change Oil in Lawn Mower

Checking and changing lawn mower oil regularly is an important preventive maintenance task for any outdoor power equipment.

Checking and Changing Lawn Mower Oil

It is important to regularly check and change the oil in a lawn mower as this helps keep the engine running efficiently and prolongs its life. Checking the oil level can be done by removing the dipstick from your mower’s gas tank, wiping it off, then replacing it and pulling it back out to read the markings on the dipstick.

If it falls below “Low” then you should add more oil up to “Full”. It is generally recommended that you change and clean out all of your used oil at least once or twice per year or after every 25-50 hours of use (depending on manufacturer recommendations).

When changing your lawn mower engine oils, make sure to park on a level surface before draining all of the old used oil into an appropriate container like a plastic sandwich bag, while making sure not to remove any essential plugs or wires connected to motor components such as spark plug/wire sets or gas caps.

After draining all of the old oil, replace any removed internal parts and add new SAE 30 motor oils until reaching just above the “Full” mark according to your owner’s manual instructions – remember not to overfill.

Importance of Regular Oil Changes

Regular oil changes are essential for the upkeep and maintenance of lawnmowers. Keeping up with regular oil changes can help keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently while also helping to prolong its life.

This is due to the fact that regularly replacing old, stale oil helps clean deposits away from components such as valves, rings, cylinders, pistons, and spark plugs. Additionally, changing your lawnmower’s oil on a regular basis means that new oil will be in its system which provides extra lubrication reducing friction between moving parts and improving overall performance.

Oil also helps better regulate temperatures so that engines do not overheat or freeze up resulting in potentially costly repairs down the line. Thus, regular oil changes are important for all types of outdoor power equipment whether it’s a riding mower or push mower because they help maintain peak operational efficiency and ensure long-term mechanical reliability no matter what time of year you go out to start mowing!

Steps to Changing the Oil

For a successful oil change, park the lawn mower on a level surface and locate the oil drain plug before draining out the old oil, replacing the plug with a new one, then refilling it with fresh oil.

Park The Lawn Mower On A Level Surface

Before changing the oil in a lawn mower, it’s important for the machine to be parked on a level surface. Here’s why; If you attempt an oil change but your lawn mower is not on a flat and level surface, this can lead to painless fluid being spilled over onto other parts of the machine.

Additionally, working with inclines while draining or filling up can affect air pressure which may end up causing inaccurate readings when checking oil levels. Furthermore, if not leveled correctly and you start your mower engine after refilling with new oil, it could cause serious damage due to all of the fluids suddenly cascading together at once.

For best results make sure there are no slopes greater than 4 degrees when parked before undertaking any kind of repair work – even small ones like changing its internal energy sources like motor oils.

Locate the oil drain plug

When changing the oil on your lawn mower, locating the oil drain plug is an important first step. It is usually located on either side or bottom of the motor, but Briggs and Stratton models may have their own specific spot.

To remove it most people use a socket wrench when loosening it up for easy access. After successfully draining all the used oil from your mower, you will want to make sure that you securely go back and re-install it in order to prevent any leaks and further damage being done to your machine over time or while out mowing.

By replacing this risk-free we can enjoy our lawnmowers much longer as well as leave them running smoothly every time we roll off our yards with them!

Drain The Old Oil

It is important to begin the oil change process by draining the old oil from your lawn mower. To do this, you’ll need to locate the oil drain plug and remove it. This is usually located at the bottom of the engine, either in front or behind, depending on your model.

Once removed, all the old oil will be able to flow out of your machine and into a plastic container for disposal. It’s imperative that you get rid of all of it; an improper amount can have negative effects on engine performance and durability over time.

Make sure that when you replace the plug after emptying out all old motor oil, it is done securely as any leaks could lead to corrosion buildup or damage in other parts of your lawnmower.

Replace The Oil Drain Plug

Once the old oil is completely drained from the lawn mower, it’s important to replace and secure the oil drain plug. An oil filter wrench can be used to loosen and remove the plug before draining begins.

After all of the old fluid has been removed, wipe away any debris on both around the threads of the plug as well as on top of its sealing gasket for a tight seal when it’s reinstalled.

Securely thread in place with your hand until finger tight- then use an appropriately sized adjustable wrench or socket for final installation torque. Make sure not to overtighten which could cause damage that would require professional assistance.

Refill With New Oil

Once the old oil has been drained, it is time to refill with new oil. To ensure maximum performance and safety of the mower engine for continued use, always refer to the owner’s manual for the specific type of oil recommended for your particular model.

Usually SAE 30 motor oil is required but this might vary depending on your lawn mower manufacturer or model number. Make sure you clean the area around the oil fill before starting to top up with fresh oil as dirt can block airflow and cause a build-up of heat leading to breakdowns in performance over time.

Types of Oil and Oil Filters for Lawn Mowers

When changing oil in a lawn mower engine, it is important to choose the correct type of oil and understand when an oil filter needs to be changed.

Choosing The Right Type Of Oil

It is essential to use the correct type of oil for your lawn mower as this will ensure optimal performance and help prolong its life. The most commonly used oils for lawnmowers are SAE 30, SAE 10W-30, and SAE 5W-30, while Synthetic SAE 5W-30 and Vanguard 15W-50 can also be used depending on the engine’s requirements.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to get the most out of your engine during colder temperatures then it is recommended to opt for an oil that has a lower viscosity rating such as an SAE 10W 30 or even a 0W 30 or 5W 30 option.

Briggs & Stratton provides an Oil Finder tool that helps users determine calls exactly what kind of oil should be used in their specific model of lawn mower. There are two main types of motor oils available including conventional oils such as mineral-based motor oil and synthetic oils formulated with advanced lubricants like Super Tech Performance Semi-Synthetic Motor Oil which offers superior protection even under extreme operating conditions.

Understanding Oil Filters

Oil filters for lawnmowers are specialized and come in three main types – standard, heavy-duty, and extended-life. Standard oil filters provide basic filtration of small metal fragments from the motor oil while maintaining an adequate flow rate for good engine performance.

It is important to choose the correct one as some car oil filters may fit onto a lawn mower but do not guarantee it can trap all contaminants effectively compared to ones designed specifically for a type of lawn mower engine.

Heavy-duty or high-capacity oil filters are more robust with larger filtering capabilities usually used on riding or commercial-style mowers that work harder requiring additional protection from exhaust by-products and dirt accumulation in the onboard separator tank.

Conclusion

Changing the oil in your lawn mower is a necessary part of regular maintenance. Not only does it ensure peak engine performance, but regular oil changes can extend the life of your lawn mower’s engine and protect against dirt, debris, or rust build-up from clogging up critical engine parts.

When changing the oil in a lawn mower, be sure to park it on a level surface; locate the old drain plug and remove it; use an appropriate catch pan for collecting used oil; refill with fresh motor oil (typically SAE 30), replace with new filter (if applicable); and lastly, replace with the new drain plug.

Keeping up on these simple steps at least once each season will go a long way toward keeping your lawnmower running at its best for years to come!

FAQs

1. How do I change the oil in a lawn mower?

To change the oil in a lawn mower, you’ll need to prepare by gathering materials such as an oil drain pan, plastic bag, and fresh new oil. Then locate the oil fill area on your push or riding mower and unscrew its cap, empty all the old oil with a drain pan and replace it with new oils. Finally close off the mowers’ drained area after adding a new filter and recycling used oils accordingly.

2. What kind of lawnmower can I use this method on?

Oil changes for listed types of small engine-powered equipment including both conventional push mowers and self-propelled walk behinds, even zero turns makes as long as they come equipped with an easy-access, low profile engine such that you have enough space for working around its oiling system securely during maintenance process.

3. Do I need to buy special tools for changing my lawnmower’s oil?

No! You don’t require any special tools unless specified within manufacturer guidelines or extra parts replacement parameters; basic wrenched sets or automated screwdriver features adequately handle most small engine-associated projects/routine maintenance issues.