Regular lawn mower oil change and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your mower and prevent costly repairs. Your mower needs care just as you need it during mowing season, when grass is growing like crazy. In this article, we’re gonna talk about how to check your mower’s oil and change it.
Why Changing Mower Oil Is Important
Oil is to your mower’s engine what the heart is to you. If the oil level is too low, your mower’s performance can be reduced greatly and even your engine can be damaged, costing you arms and legs. Regular oil changes can help your mower start quickly and more efficiently, enabling you to have a pleasant mowing experience.
Signs You Need to Change Mower Oil
You can tell whether your lawnmower needs its oil changed by checking the oil level before each use and comparing it to the levels suggested in your owner’s manual. You’d better change your oil at least once per season or after 50 hours of use or so. That’s what John Deere recommends us to do.
How Do I Check the Oil Level
Checking the oil level in your mower is as easy as checking the oil in your car.
- First, locate the oil cap and twist it off. You can look for your owner’s manual to find where it is.
- Secondly, clean the crankcase. Once you remove the cap, wipe off the dirt around the opening of the crankcase. Be aware not to brush dirt into it. At last, check the dipstick. Sometimes it comes off with the cap, or sometimes it is separate and in the tank. It is a long stick. Pull it out and wipe it off with a towel.
- Lastly, reinsert it and pull it out again. If the oil on the end of the dipstick is semi-clear, and it should end between the two dots on the dipstick. If it is dark in color, below the bottom dot, or above the top dots on the dipstick, it’s time to change the oil.
What Type of Oil Should My Mower Take
Most commercial riding and zero-turn mowers are 4-stroke and many handheld tools are 2-stroke. If the machine has a dipstick and an oil-fill cap and you change oil like an engine sump, it’s almost always a 4-stroke setup. For a gasoline engine, it usually needs SAE 30, 10W-30, or 5W-30, depending on temperature, and for a diesel engine, it commonly uses heavy-duty grade oil 15W-40. You must always check the operator’s manual for viscosity grade and service category. See Lawn Mower Oil SAE Classification and How to Choose Mower Oil here.
How to Change Lawn Mower Oil Myself
It is simple to change the oil in most modern lawn mowers. For some older mowers, you must look into your operator’s manual to see if yours us an exception.
The basic process requires two steps:
- Remove the old oil
You can choose to turn the lawnmower on its side so it’s easy for oil to get into a bowl or other container. Also, you can use an oil pump with a hose that sucks the oil into the disposal container.
- Pour into the new oil
You need to open the selected bottle og oil. Then, you can use a funnel as you like it for this part. Just pour about half of the new oil into the mower slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions For Lawn Mower Oil Change
What kind of oil best suits my lawnmower?
SAE 30 is commonly used in lawn mowers. You can choose 10W-30 or synthetic oils depending on the temperature range and usage. See the full guide on What Kind of Oil Does a Lawn Mower Take?
How often should I change lawn mower oil?
For most lawn mowers, it is recommended to change oil every 50 hours of use, or at least once per season. You should always check the oil level and conditions to determine the changing intervals.
Can I change lawn mower oil myself?
Absolutely. It is quite easy to change the oil with basic tools at home for most mowers. However, you should always check the operator’s manual for oil choice. And it’s better to ask for professional service for help to ensure efficient maintenance and reliable performance.
Final Words
Changing lawn mower oil is a simple but essential practice. You should always check the oil level and replace the dirty oil according to the owner’s manual. It can help extend the life of your mower and prevent costly repairs. FridayParts does not sell oil for mowers but we provide an extensive inventory of high-quality mower parts, including carburetors, air filters, drive belts and more. With FridayParts, you can acess the latest knowledges about your lawn mower and mower parts, ensuring you have a pleasant mowing experience when the grass is getting tall crazily.
