Prepare Lawn Mower for Season
Why It Matters
A well-maintained mower cuts cleanly, starts reliably, and lasts years longer. Dull blades tear grass and invite disease.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Socket wrench, Blade sharpener or file. Materials required: Engine oil, Spark plug, Air filter.
- 2
Perform the prepare lawn mower for season
Change oil, replace spark plug, sharpen blade, clean air filter, and inspect your lawn mower before mowing season. Safety note: Disconnect spark plug wire before working on blade.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Socket wrench
- Blade sharpener or file
Materials
- Engine oil
- Spark plug
- Air filter
Community Tips
A sharpened blade cuts grass cleanly rather than tearing leaf tips, which brown within days and invite disease; use a blade sharpener like the Oregon 25585 ($12-18) to maintain a 30-degree angle on each edge, and replace blades entirely if they're bent or cracked beyond 1/8 inch.
A socket wrench set with a 5/8-inch socket removes most mower spark plugs efficiently without stripping, and a quality set like Craftsman's 56-piece set ($35-50) includes deep sockets that access plugs buried under engine cowlings on commercial-grade models.
Never reuse a spark plug from last season -- deposits accumulate and cause hard starting or misfiring; a fresh Champion RCJ8Y ($3-6) and a new air filter like Briggs & Stratton 591583 ($8-12) cost under $20 combined but restore fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by up to 15 percent. ---