ProParts Direct Learning Center | The Ultimate Guide to DIY Lawn Mower Maintenance

Like any hardworking utility gear in the shed, lawn mowers need regular TLC. This goes beyond dumping fuel and pulling the cord once a week. It’s all about understanding that your lawn mower, much like a car, has its own set of vital parts and systems that require regular maintenance checks.

From replacing worn-out spark plugs to keeping blades sharp and efficient, here's everything you need to know for your DIY lawn mower maintenance routine.

Pre-Maintenance Checklist

Before jumping headfirst into lawn mower maintenance, take time to ensure everything is in order and you’ve gathered all the necessary tools and equipment. Here's your pre-maintenance checklist:

Check the owner’s manual: Think manuals are just random bulky papers bundled with appliances? Think again! Before performing any maintenance tasks on your lawn mower, check the owner's manual for instructions, information, maintenance schedules, and tips for your exact model.

Clear your workspace: Where there's mending, mess could follow. Pick a space that provides enough light for you to see what goes where free from clutter, and, if possible, away from curious pets' and kids’ reach.

Prepare your tools and materials: With your workspace sorted and manual memorized (or at least skimmed), gather your tools and materials:

Work gloves
Dust mask
Safety glasses
Wrench set (you usually need different sizes)
A drain pan for oil changes
New spark plug
Engine oil
Proper cleaning equipment like cloth rags or mild soap
A blade sharpening kit or replacement mower blade (if needed)

Disconnect the power source: Your safety should always be your number one priority. For gas-powered mowers, disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting while you're tinkering with the mower. If you’re working with an electric mower, unplug it or remove its battery.

Wait for it to cool down (if applicable): No one wants to deal with accidental burns when working on their lawn mower. So, make sure you allow your equipment to cool off after use before attempting any maintenance tasks.

Basic Lawn Mower Maintenance Steps

With pre-maintenance essentials out of the way, let's head straight into your DIY lawn mower maintenance routine.

Keep It Clean

As elementary as it sounds, keeping your lawn mower clean is rule number one. Clumps of grass stuck around the blade or caked-on dirt on your mower deck can reduce its efficiency and cause unnecessary wear and tear. It also promotes moisture retention, leading to a rusty deck in no time at all.

Start by gently wiping debris off moving parts so nothing interferes with locomotion or clogs any essential parts. Here are a few steps to follow:

Remove grass clippings: Use a brush or a cloth to remove the cuttings from the mower deck, blades, and other parts. If you have stubborn clumps, you can use a putty knife to scrape them off.
Clean the undercarriage: With your mower tilted on its side, start cleaning the undercarriage using a brush. Be careful not to damage any components.
Wipe down the engine: Wipe down the engine with a cloth or brush to remove dirt and debris, but again, be careful not to damage any parts or loose wiring.

Regular Oil Changes

Just like cars, lawnmowers rely on clean oil to keep their engines running smoothly. After around 25 hours of usage or at least once per season, it's time for an oil change.

Use the drain plug if your mower has one, and allow all the old oil to run out before refilling it with fresh, clean oil. Always check your manufacturer's guide for exact specifications.

Clean and Replace the Air Filter

Air filters are essential for controlling what does and doesn’t enter a machine’s engine. For filters that appear clogged or look a bit worse for wear after inspection, throw them away and replace them with new ones. Cleanable paper filters could be tapped to shake off the dust before wiping them with a cloth, while foam filters can be washed with soapy water.

Here’s how to replace an air filter:

Remove your mower's air filter cover: On most models, this is usually on the side of the engine and requires either a screwdriver or wrench to remove.
Remove your old air filter: Carefully slide out the old air filter.
Install a new one: Put your new air filter into its slot right where you found the old one and ensure it fits snugly.
Put the cover back onto your lawn mower: Replace the cover and screw back every bolt just as they were.

Check the Spark Plug

Engine trouble? It may just be due to an old spark plug needing replacement. Change the spark plug at least once a year, or every 25 to 50 hours of operation, to prevent any ignition issues, sputtering engines, or just not starting up at all. Here’s how to change a spark plug:

Disconnect the spark plug wire: Be sure your mower has cooled down if you’ve recently used it.
Carefully remove the old spark plug: Turn a spark plug wrench counter-clockwise to gently remove the spark plug, ensuring you don’t accidentally damage any nearby parts.
Install your new spark plug: Start by putting it in by hand to ensure proper alignment, and then tighten it with a wrench, being careful not to over-tighten it.
Reconnect the spark plug wire: Now that everything’s as good as new with your brand new spark plug installed, return every piece or cover you might have previously removed.

Inspect and Sharpen the Blade

Your lawn mower’s blade sees a lot of action over the cutting season. It’s only natural that it progressively becomes blunt over time due to frequent clippings, lumps of soil, hidden debris, and basically everything in its path that isn’t grass.

A dull blade can damage your grass instead of neatly trimming it and make it prone to diseases. Plus, maintaining sharp blades can help you save money this mosquito season. Mosquitoes often hide in tall grass and weeds, providing them with perfect breeding grounds, so keeping your lawn mower blades sharp will keep your lawn neatly trimmed and less attractive to insects.

your lawn mower blades sharp will keep your lawn neatly trimmed and less attractive to insects. Here's how to keep that blade sharp:

Remove the blade: For safety, start by removing the spark plug wire. Then, put on heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands, and use a wrench or socket to loosen the nut holding the blade in place. You can use a block to jam the blade and stop it from spinning.
Inspect the blade: Look for signs of serious wear, such as cracks, large chips, dents, and obviously blunt edges. If any of these flaws are noticeable, replace it with a new blade.
Sharpen if necessary: If you don’t have major damage but notice that the blade seems duller than when it was new, you can sharpen the lawn mower blade using a grinder or file.
Re-attach the blade: Once sharpened or replaced, securely tighten the blade back into position without twisting or misaligning the entire setup.

Check and Replace the Belt

Most self-propelled lawn mowers work on a drive belt system. Over time, due to constant wear, the belts start showing signs of aging like cracks or fraying threads. When you notice these signs, you should replace the belt immediately.

Store Your Lawn Mower Properly During Off-Season

Unless you live somewhere that the grass grows year-round, chances are good that there’ll be a substantial time frame where your lawn mower will lie unused during winter. Even if only for a few months, proper care needs to be taken while storing outdoor equipment for extended periods.

If ignored, a few months of improper winter storage can be enough to ruin your equipment.

With a bit of elbow grease and thoughtful checking of your gear, you can extend the lifespan of your lawn mower and keep it in great shape. Regular maintenance ensures not only a neat lawn, but can also help with delaying repairs or even lawn mower replacement.

Remember that while DIY methods are great for keeping on top of routine maintenance, major issues should be left to service professionals.

Image by Alexa from Pixabay

Adrian Nita is a former marine navigation officer turned writer with more than 3 years of experience in the field. He loves writing about anything and everything but specializes in covering smart technology and gardening. When he's not writing, Adrian enjoys spending time with his family and friends or hiking in the great outdoors.

The Ultimate Guide to DIY Lawn Mower Maintenance

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ProParts Direct is your one-stop parts store for Lawn Mowers Parts, Chainsaw Parts, Engines Parts, Snow Blowers and all landscaping equipment parts.

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ProParts Direct is your one-stop parts store for Lawn Mowers Parts, Chainsaw Parts, Engines Parts, Snow Blowers and all landscaping equipment parts.

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