Mower Maintenance 101: How to Change Your Oil

Changing your lawn mower’s motor oil regularly is one of the best ways to ensure your machine lasts a lifetime! Not only will it reduce wear on your mower’s engine, but it should also increase the overall productivity of your equipment. However, if you’re not quite sure how to change your mower’s oil, or are having trouble finding helpful information online, you’ll want to read our article below. In it, we include step-by-step instructions on how to complete the job, as well as a short list of helpful tools you’ll need nearby.

Required Equipment 

Before you start unscrewing bolts and draining your oil, you’ll want to make sure you have all of the necessary tools on hand. First, you’ll need to grab a quart of oil and a new filter from your local automotive shop or closest dealership, as well as a spark plug and socket wrench if you don't already have them at home. If you don’t have a set of gloves, a funnel, or a tarp to cover your work area we also advise you purchase these as well. Finally, you’ll need a few bricks or wood blocks on hand to help raise up your mower, as well as a few old rags and an empty container to drain the oil into. 

Getting Started

Now that you have everything you need, you’ll want to go ahead and start up your mower and allow it to run for a few minutes. Once the engine is heated up and the oil is nice and runny, you’ll want to cut your engine and go ahead and remove your spark plug for safety. Afterward, place your mower up onto your blocks, and position your empty container on the ground under the drain plug. Using your wrench, remove the drain plug and allow the oil to empty out completely before removing your dirty filter. Before you replace your old filer with the new one, be sure to first wipe and clean your gasket using some of your fresh oil. Once this is done, you’re free to insert the clean filter, reattach the drain plug, and fill up your engine reservoir with fresh oil—making sure to double-check the dipstick as you do, to avoid overfilling it. 

Want to keep your mower in good condition, but don’t want to spend your downtime doing maintenance or general upkeep? Consider visiting us here at Southern Trailer Works! Our location in Schriever, Louisiana offers both an on-site service center and a parts department to help you with all of your lawn mower maintenance needs, and we proudly serve the nearby cities of Thibodaux and New Orleans, Louisiana.