How to Change the Oil on a Push Lawn Mower

Regular lawn mower engine maintenance is vital to keep the machine running well for years. An important part of lawn mower engine maintenance is replacing the oil on a regular schedule. Draining the old oil and replacing with new oil ensures that the dirty oil does not harm the engine. Oil changes should be done on a push lawn mower every 25 to 30 hours of use. If the mower is new, change the oil after the first 5 to 10 hours of use to remove any debris that may have accumulated in the engine during production.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Replacement oil
• Container to catch old oil

1. Run the lawn mower for several minutes to warm up the engine and the oil. Warm oil is less viscous and will flow out of the mower easier.

2. Locate the oil drain plug on the mower, and place the container under it. The drain plug location varies by brand of mower. Consult your owner's manual for information on the location of the drain plug.

3. Remove the oil drain plug on the mower with a wrench. The oil will drain out of the mower and into the container.

4. Tip the lawn mower toward the container to drain any remaining oil in the engine.

5. Replace the oil drain plug when the oil is finished draining out of the engine.

6. Take the dipstick out of the mower engine, and pour in the new oil. Consult the owner's manual for information on the correct grade of oil to use in your machine. Be careful not to place too much oil in the machine as it could damage your lawn mower.

7. Place the dipstick back in the mower and start the engine for 30 seconds.

8. Wait for 30 seconds after the mower was run, and check the dipstick for the oil level. Add extra oil as needed to get to the fill line on the dipstick.

References

• Changing Lawn Mower Oil