How to Winterize a Lawn Mower Battery

It is important to prepare your lawn mower's battery for winter storage.

Lawn mower batteries, like automobile batteries, need proper care and suitable storage when the mower is not in use. The batteries contain positive and negative terminals that are susceptible to corrosion and a casing containing flammable acid. Lawn mower batteries are also rechargeable and can last for multiple seasons. When storing your lawn mower for the winter, it's important to winterize the battery and store it in an area that doesn't contain moisture or a heat source.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Latex gloves
• 2 soft cloths or rags
• Metal brush
• Battery cleaner
• Battery charger

Instructions

1. Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect the negative cable--bearing the "-" symbol--from your lawn mower's battery and lay the cable to the side. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands clean. Disconnect the positive cable--marked with the "+" symbol--and lay it to the side.

2. Wipe the cables with a soft cloth or rag to remove any dust and dirt. Wipe down the battery with a soft cloth or rag.

3. Scrub the battery's terminals with a metal brush to remove any corrosion. Spray battery cleaner onto the terminals, available at lawn and garden shops or automotive parts and supply stores, to break up heavy debris. Rescrub the terminals with the metal brush and wipe the battery again with the soft cloth or rag.

4. Place the battery on a flat surface--workbench, desk or floor--close to an electrical outlet. Connect the positive cable of a battery charger to the positive battery terminal.

5. Connect the battery charger's negative cable to a metal ground--a metal pole or other metal object. Plug in the battery charger and charge the lawn mower battery until the charger displays "Charged" or similar wording.

6. Unplug the battery charger. Disconnect the charger's negative cable from the battery first, then the positive cable.

7. Store the battery on a shelf in a dry area of your garage or tool shed. Do not store the battery near a heat source, water or near corrosive materials.

Tips & Warnings

• When recharging your battery, use a charger that's recommended for lawn mower batteries.

References

• Green Garden Tools: How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower
• Jacks Small Engines: How to Winterize Your Tractor or Lawn Mower
• Cub Cadet: How to Winterize a Riding Lawn Mower