Time to Winterize Your Lawn Mower
October 7, 2006 18:01:14
Soon, the leaves will change color, the birds will fly South, squirrels will hide acorns and the grass will slip into a dormant state of rest.
Once this pattern begins - in late September in the Northern climates, mid to late October in the Central states - you can throw the cover over your lawnmower and call it a season. It’s going to be several months before the grass needs cutting again.
But when it does, you want to be ready. So take the time now to do a little maintenance on your lawnmower. Here’s a checklist to follow:
* Drain oil from the engine and replace with new oil. Old oil contains moisture and acids that will pit bearings and other engine parts, so it’s important to change oil prior to storage. Run the engine to warm the oil first. More of the dirty oil and contaminants will come out if it’s warm. Replace with new oil of the type recommended in your owner’s manual. Most (or many) recommend Straight S.A.E. 30W.
* Stabilize Fuel. Fuel can deteriorate in as little as 60 days, causing gum and varnish build-up in engines and resulting in hard starting, poor performance and reduced engine life. To prevent this from happening, add STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer to your tank.
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