• Join Now
• |
• Sign In

Winterizing A Lawn Mower

Store your lawn mower for the winter with a full tank of gas

By the experts at The Family Handyman

From The Family Handyman

Images from this article

javascript:void(0);

Q  Should I drain the gas out of the lawn mower fuel tank before putting it away for the season?

A  Nope. According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Inc., you should do just the opposite. The tank should be filled and a fuel stabilizer added to keep the gas fresh for the next season. A partially filled tank may accumulate water condensation on the inner walls and cause rust to form on steel tank walls. This can cause engine and fuel system problems.

There’s another step you can take to keep your lawn mower safe and sound through winter: Disconnect the spark plug wire(s). Remove the spark plug and squirt about a teaspoon of oil through the plug hole directly into the cylinder. Then pull the starter cord a few times to distribute the oil on all the metal surfaces to prevent corrosion. Reinstall the spark plug.

From The Family Handyman - November 2000

• How To Sharpen Tools: Mower Blades, Axes and Shovels
• A bench grinder, file and cone-shaped blade balancer are the key tools for creating a sharp edge and well-balanced blade. Plus, how to file and hone an axe using a sharpening stone, and even how to sharpen a shovel.
•