How to Change Oil in a Riding Lawn Mower

Changing the oil in your riding mower is a necessary maintenance step for proper motor function. You should change the oil in your mower yearly or sooner if you use your mower heavily for other uses besides mowing. Do this to maintain your engine and keep your riding mower in tip-top shape. The used oil can be taken to a local mechanic for recycling.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Socket set with ratchet
• Oil pan

1. Locate the bolt on the side of the riding mower near the bottom. This is the oil bolt. If you do not see a bolt on the side then check underneath, depending on your motor brand the bolt can be on the underside.

2. Position your oil pan under the bolt.

3. Loosen the oil bolt with your socket and ratchet counter-clockwise until it can be easily hand loosened.

4. Loosen the bolt with your fingers and quickly pull out letting the oil run into the oil pan.

5. Screw back in the oil bolt once the oil has stopped and tighten with your ratchet by turning the bolt clockwise.

[sorensentrees]

on 7/27/2009 I just saved myself a ton of time and a whole big mess by using an oil change vacuum pump to suck all the oil and debris out through the dipstick tube. I bought the LiquiVac system at Lowe's for $35 and changed my oil in just minutes. Plus, all the oil was sucked out into a portable container so I could transport it to the recycling center. You've got to try this thing. I found their website: http://www.liquivac.com