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How-To Guides

10 Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips Every Owner Should Know

AZparts Team

Updated on June 10, 2025

9 min read

A well-maintained lawn mower is essential for a lush, healthy yard—and with proper care, your mower can last up to 10–15 years. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional landscaper, regular maintenance helps your mower run smoother, cut cleaner, and stay reliable through every season.Let’s extend your mower’s life and performance with confidence. AZParts provides detailed guidance on proper lawn mower maintenance, helping you keep your machine in top shape with expert tips and quality parts to extend its lifespan.

1. When Should You Maintain Your Lawn Mower?

Lawn mower maintenance isn’t just a seasonal chore, it’s an essential routine that helps protect your equipment and ensures a healthy, well-groomed lawn. Keeping your mower in peak condition starts with knowing when to service it.

The two most important times for maintenance are:

Early Spring (Pre-Season):
Before the first mow of the year, give your lawn mower a complete inspection. Clean the cutting deck, check and change the oil if needed, sharpen the blades, and replace the air filter or spark plugs. This ensures your mower is ready to perform reliably throughout the season.
Late Fall (Post-Season):
After your final mow of the year, it’s time to winterize your mower. Drain the fuel tank or add a stabilizer, remove grass buildup, and store the machine in a dry, covered location to prevent rust, corrosion, or engine problems after months of inactivity.
Other key times to perform maintenance include:
- After every 25 hours of use: Clean debris from the deck, inspect belts and pulleys, and sharpen the blades.
- After heavy-duty mowing: If you've tackled tall or wet grass or noticed a performance drop, inspect the engine, blades, and fuel system.

Always clear the yard of sticks, stones, and toys before mowing, and avoid mowing in low-light conditions. Poor visibility and debris can damage your machine and create safety hazards.

Maintenance timing may vary based on climate and mowing frequency. In warmer regions or areas with long growing seasons, more frequent upkeep may be necessary.

2. 10-Step Routine Lawn Mower Maintenance

Essential Tools and Parts for Routine Lawn Mower Maintenance (Source: AZParts)

To help you easily apply these steps in practice, the table below summarizes all 10 essential maintenance tasks, their recommended frequency, and the key parts to inspect or replace:

Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist

Step	Maintenance Task	Frequency	Key Parts to Inspect/Replace
1	Stabilize the Fuel	Before storage or >30 days idle	Carburetor, Cut-Off Fuel Gas Valve, Fuel Lines
2	Change the Oil	Every 25–50 hours of use	Oil Level, Gasket
3	Check or Replace Battery	Every season	Battery, Cut-Off Switch
4	Clean the Deck	After every mow	Deck Surface, Belt Area, Idler Pulley, Cables
5	Replace Spark Plug	Every 100 hours of use	Spark Plug
6	Sharpen or Replace Blades	Every 20–25 hours or as needed	Blades, Blade Bolts, Blade Adapter
7	Check Air Filter & Air Cleaner	Every 25 hours or monthly	Air Filter, Air Cleaner Housing
8	Replace Fuel Filter & Inspect Fuel Line	Annually or as needed	Fuel Filter, Fuel Pump, Fuel Lines
9	Check Tire Pressure	Monthly	Tires, Rims
10	Inspect & Replace Belts and Pulleys	Seasonally or when worn	Belts, Idler Pulley, Control Cables

2.1. Step 1: Stabilize the Fuel

When fuel sits unused for more than 30 days, it can gum up the carburetor and clog the fuel lines, making it hard to start your mower. Add a fuel stabilizer when storing your mower during the off-season or when you expect long gaps between uses. Check the cut-off fuel gas valve to ensure it functions properly and shuts off fuel flow securely.

2.2. Step 2: Change the Oil

Oil lubricates the engine’s moving parts, reducing friction and heat. Change the oil regularly and fill it only to the dipstick’s recommended level. Overfilling or underfilling can damage the engine. While changing oil, also inspect the gasket for leaks.

2.3. Step 3: Get a Reliable Battery

Electric-start or cordless mowers require a healthy battery to function properly. Ensure the battery holds a charge and delivers consistent voltage. Clean the battery terminals regularly and check the cut-off switch to make sure it shuts off the mower in case of an emergency, preventing electrical issues.

2.4. Step 4: Keep the Deck Clean

Grass buildup under the mower deck can trap moisture and lead to corrosion. After mowing, use water or a blower to clean the underside, and always dry thoroughly. For added protection, use a silicone spray to reduce future build-up. This also prevents excess strain on components like idler pulleys, belts, and cables.

2.5. Step 5: Replace the Spark Plugs

Changing the Spark Plug on a Gas Lawn Mower (Source:AZParts)

The spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture in the engine. If your mower is slow to start or runs unevenly, it might be time to replace the spark plug. Most spark plugs should be swapped every 100 hours of operation. A fresh plug ensures better combustion and improves the mower’s performance.

2.6. Step 6: Sharpen the Blades

Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting cleanly, resulting in white-tipped lawns. Sharpen blades regularly and ensure they're balanced. For frequent mowing, keep a spare set of blades ready. Improperly sharpened blades increase strain on the belt and engine.

2.7. Step 7: Check the Air Filter

A dirty air filter restricts airflow and disrupts the fuel-air ratio, leading to poor combustion. Clean it with mild soap or replace it if too worn. Examine the air cleaner housing for debris or cracks and replace it as needed.

2.8 Step 8: Replace the Fuel Filter

Replace the Fuel Filter for Clean Engine Performance (Source: AZParts)

The fuel filter ensures clean fuel reaches the engine. Debris from storage containers or tank sediment can clog the system. Replace the filter and inspect the fuel pump and fuel lines for cracks or leaks. On small mowers, check the primer bulb for wear.

2.9. Step 9: Check Tire Pressure

Uneven or low tire pressure can cause an uneven cut and make mowing harder. Over time, pushing a mower with deflated tires adds unnecessary strain on the engine and transmission. Keep your tires properly inflated for smooth, even mowing.

2.10. Step 10: Inspect and Service the Belts

The belt connects the engine to the blade system, transmitting power efficiently. Cracks, frays, or slippage can impact cutting performance. Also check the idler pulley and control cables, worn components can throw off tension or disrupt blade rotation. Replace belts at the first signs of wear.

To help you easily apply these steps in practice, the table below summarizes all 10 essential maintenance tasks, their recommended frequency, and the key parts to inspect or replace:

3. Expert Tips for Long-Term Lawn Mower Care

Beyond routine maintenance, applying a few expert strategies can significantly extend the life of your lawn mower. These long-term care habits are simple but often overlooked even by experienced users.

Lawn Mower Stored Safely on Raised Surface Indoors (Source: AZParts)

Store Properly Year-Round

Always keep your mower in a dry, sheltered area like a garage or shed. Exposure to moisture can lead to rust, belt wear, and electrical issues. If indoor storage isn't possible, use a cover and place the mower on a raised surface to avoid ground moisture.

Use Fresh Fuel and Prepare for Storage

Fuel left sitting for over a month can break down and damage the fuel system. Always refill with clean, fresh gasoline. Before off-season storage, either drain the tank or run the engine dry to prevent buildup in the carburetor and fuel lines.

Follow the Owner’s Manual

Follow the Owner’s Manual for Proper Lawn Mower Maintenance (Source: AZParts)

Each mower has different service needs. Refer to the manual for recommended oil types, part numbers, and maintenance intervals. Using the wrong blade or oil type can reduce performance and cause long-term damage.

Clean After Every Use

Remove grass clippings and debris from the deck, blades, and wheels after each mowing session. This prevents corrosion and buildup that can damage moving parts over time.

Address Small Issues Early

Loose bolts, unusual sounds, or fuel leaks might seem minor but can develop into serious problems if left unaddressed. Regular inspections help you spot and fix issues before they escalate.

Track Your Maintenance

Track Your Maintenance Log to Keep Equipment Running Smoothly (Source: AZParts)

Keep a simple log of tasks such as oil changes, filter replacements, and blade sharpening. A clear maintenance history makes it easier to identify problems and ensures you don’t miss essential upkeep.

Inspect Before Every Mow

Before each mowing session, do a quick check: inspect the blades, tire pressure, fuel level, and look for any signs of leaks or wear. These short inspections can prevent sudden failures and help you mow more safely and efficiently.

To support consistent care, here’s a printable long-term lawn mower maintenance checklist you can use season after season:

Long-Term Lawn Mower Care Checklist

Task	Check Frequency
Store mower in a dry, covered location	After each mowing
Drain fuel or add stabilizer before storage	Before long-term storage
Use fresh gasoline	Each refill
Clean mower deck and exterior	After each use
Check for rust or corrosion	Monthly
Tighten bolts and check blade mounting	Before each use
Inspect for oil or fuel leaks	Monthly
Sharpen or replace blades	Every 20–25 hours
Check air filter and clean or replace	Monthly
Change engine oil	Every 25–50 hours
Replace spark plug	Every 100 hours
Inspect belts, cables, pulleys	Seasonally
Check battery charge and terminals	Monthly (if applicable)
Review owner's manual for updates	Once per season
Log maintenance tasks	Ongoing

4. FAQs about Lawn Mower Maintenance

4.1. What maintenance is needed on a lawn mower?

Basic maintenance includes changing the oil, cleaning or replacing the air filter, checking and replacing the spark plug, sharpening or replacing the blades, inspecting belts and cables, and cleaning the deck after each use. Periodic checks for fuel quality, tire pressure, and battery condition (if applicable) are also important.

4.2. Is it okay to leave gas in a lawn mower?

Not recommended. Gasoline degrades over time and can cause deposits to form in the carburetor and fuel lines, especially if left unused for more than 30 days. If the mower will be idle for a while, it’s best to drain the tank or use a fuel stabilizer to prevent damage.

4.3. Is it okay to hose down a lawn mower?

You can rinse the deck and exterior with water, but never spray water directly into the engine, air filter, or electrical parts. After hosing down the mower, dry it thoroughly to prevent rust and corrosion. For best results, use a soft brush or blower to clean hard-to-reach areas.

4.4. How often should you service a lawn mower?

It depends on usage. For regular residential use, basic maintenance like cleaning, oil checks, and blade sharpening should be done every 20–25 hours of operation. A full service including oil change, spark plug replacement, and fuel filter inspection should be done at least once a year or every 50 hours of use.

Lawn mower maintenance is simple when done regularly. With consistent care and timely part replacement, your mower will perform reliably year after year. Whether you're getting ready for the season or putting it away, proper upkeep protects your equipment and saves you from costly repairs. For trusted lawn mower replacement parts, AZParts offers a helpful solution to keep your mower in great shape.

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