For some, lawnmowing is a chore. For others—those with a green thumb or a pride in a neat yard—it’s almost meditative. The hum of the engine, the scent of fresh-cut grass, a half-hour where the world goes quiet under a set of ear muffs.
But romantic vibes aside, your lawn mower is a machine. And like any engine, from a beat-up ute to a Formula One car, it needs regular maintenance to stay sharp, safe, and reliable. A mower that’s well cared for cuts cleaner, starts easier, and lasts longer.
How to keep your mower humming
1. Change your spark plug
Some people run mowers for years without touching the plug. Then one day—new fuel, a few pulls on the cord, nothing. That’s your sign. Time to remove the old spark plug and install a fresh one. It's a cheap, quick job that makes a massive difference to ignition and fuel efficiency.
2. Keep the blade sharp
After a few mows, especially if you’ve pushed it through twigs or tackled a flax bush (don’t), your blade will start to dull. A blunt blade tears grass rather than slicing it, stressing your lawn and straining the motor. Learn how to sharpen a lawn mower blade safely—it’s worth doing at least once a season.
3. Store it smart
Mowers left out in the weather rust fast. If it lives outside, do yourself a favor and grab a heavy-duty waterproof cover. This keeps dust, moisture, and UV damage at bay—especially important over winter.
4. Use the right oil
Lawn mower engines are smaller than car engines and run at different temperatures, so they need oil that’s formulated for the job. Using the wrong oil can lead to overheating, gumming, or poor lubrication.
For most backyard use, SAE 30 oil (or 30W) is a reliable choice. If you’re mowing in very hot or cold conditions, a synthetic like 5W30 or 15W50 might serve better.
As Briggs & Stratton advise, synthetic oil works across a wider temperature range, offering better protection in extreme conditions. But unless you’re mowing in a snowstorm, regular oil is often just fine.
5. Don’t confuse 2-stroke and 4-stroke oil
You’re midway through a mow, low on oil, and all you’ve got is two-stroke. Can you top it up? Sure. But only as a one-off emergency fix. Two-stroke oil is designed to mix with fuel, not run solo in a 4-stroke crankcase. Long-term use can damage the engine. Always switch back to proper 4-stroke oil as soon as you can.
Bonus: Clean the deck
Every few mows, flip your mower (spark plug lead removed) and clear out the grass clippings and sludge built up under the deck. Wet buildup causes corrosion and impedes blade rotation. A plastic scraper or wire brush does the trick.
Final thoughts
Lawn mower maintenance doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s part of the ritual. A few small habits—checking oil, sharpening blades, storing it right—go a long way to keeping your machine reliable and your lawn looking sharp.
Finished mowing? Nice work. Now reward yourself. Kick back with a cold homebrew beer, or if you’re still in workshop mode, learn how to restart a flooded chainsaw or top up the fuel caddy.