How Often Should You Change The Oil In Your Lawn Mower?

What Motor Oil To Use In My Lawn Mower from www.lovemylawn.net

One of the most important things you can do to keep your lawn mower running smoothly is to change the oil regularly. But how often should you do it? The answer depends on a few different factors, including the type of mower you have, how often you use it, and the conditions you use it in. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how often you should change the oil in your lawn mower and why it's so important.

The Basics of Lawn Mower Oil Changes

Before we dive into the details of how often you should change your lawn mower oil, let's start with the basics. Just like a car, your lawn mower has an engine that requires oil to run smoothly. The oil lubricates the engine's moving parts, reduces friction and wear, and helps to dissipate heat. Over time, however, the oil can become dirty and contaminated, which can lead to engine damage if left unchecked.

Changing your lawn mower oil regularly helps to prevent this from happening. As a general rule, you should change your lawn mower oil at least once a year, even if you don't use it very often. However, depending on how often you use your lawn mower and the conditions you use it in, you may need to change the oil more often.

Factors That Affect How Often You Should Change Your Lawn Mower Oil

Usage Frequency

The more often you use your lawn mower, the more quickly the oil will break down and become contaminated. If you mow your lawn once a week, for example, you'll need to change the oil more often than if you only mow it once a month or less. As a general rule, if you use your lawn mower more than 50 hours a year, you should change the oil at least twice a year.

Operating Conditions

The conditions you use your lawn mower in can also affect how often you should change the oil. If you mow in dusty or dirty conditions, for example, the oil will become contaminated more quickly. Similarly, if you mow in extremely hot or cold temperatures, the oil may break down more quickly. If you use your lawn mower in challenging conditions, you may need to change the oil more often.

How to Change Your Lawn Mower Oil

If you're not sure how to change the oil in your lawn mower, don't worry – it's a relatively simple process that you can do yourself. Here are the basic steps:

Make sure your lawn mower is on a level surface and turned off.
Locate the oil drain plug (it's usually located on the bottom of the engine).
Place a container beneath the oil drain plug to catch the old oil.
Remove the oil drain plug and allow the old oil to drain out.
Wipe the oil drain plug clean and replace it.
Remove the oil filler cap and add the recommended amount of new oil (check your owner's manual for specific instructions).
Replace the oil filler cap and run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the new oil.
Check the oil level and add more if necessary.

Conclusion

Changing the oil in your lawn mower is a simple but important maintenance task that can help to extend the life of your mower and keep it running smoothly. As a general rule, you should change the oil at least once a year, but depending on how often you use your mower and the conditions you use it in, you may need to change it more often. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can change your lawn mower oil yourself and ensure that your mower stays in top condition.