The Whys and Hows of Adequate Lawn Mower Engine Lubrication

When you own a piece of equipment like a lawn mower, you’re responsible for its regular maintenance. Keeping your lawn mower in good working condition ensures that it will perform well when you need it to so that your grass remains well-manicured. One essential task you should do on a regular basis is to change out the oil in the engine and ensure that the engine always has sufficient oil in its reservoir.

Johnson Fleet and Farm, with locations in Yulee and Fernandina Beach, FL, and Homerville, GA, is your local lawn mower dealer. Here is our how-to guide on when and how to lubricate your engine.

Why Lubricate Your Engine?

Engine oil performs a great many tasks within an engine to ensure its proper functioning. The oil in an engine:

• Stops the metal components from grinding against one another by reducing friction.
• Prevents corrosion through its corrosion inhibitors. 
• Keeps the engine from overheating as it absorbs heat and keeps parts cooler.
• Cleans the engine parts and prevents dust from accumulating on them by trapping impurities and sending them through the oil filter.
• Seals the piston, cylinder and other moving parts with a fine film.

All of these vital tasks serve to improve the engine’s fuel efficiency and performance while reducing energy loss.

When Should I Change the Oil?

Due to how much a lawn mower’s engine heats up and cools down, the oil probably needs to be changed more often than it does on your passenger car or truck engine. You can determine when to change the oil in a few ways:

• Keeping a record of the running hours for your lawn mower and changing it at the specified increments in your owner’s manual.
• Manually removing the dipstick and wiping it on a clean cloth to see whether the oil is dirty and full of impurities.
• Reading the digital working time meter if your lawn mower has one.
• Regularly changing the oil on a seasonal basis, regardless of usage.

What Tools Do I Need?

You can probably change the oil on your lawn mower in about ten minutes with the right supplies, which will include: 

• Newspaper or tarp to cover the work area
• Wood or bricks to raise the mower off the ground
• Container for used oil
• Mopping cloths
• Socket wrench
• Spark plug wrench
• Gloves
• Fresh oil
• New oil filter
• Funnel

It’s recommended that you change the oil in a garage or driveway with a concrete floor so that you don’t get oil on grass or on floors that it will stain.

How Do I Change the Oil?

First, you’ll want to prepare the engine by putting some gas in it and running the mower for a few minutes to heat up the oil just enough to make it runny. After you turn off the engine, mount the mower on bricks or wood to lift it off the ground for drainage. Remove the spark plug for safety.

Second, you need to drain the oil by locating the drainage nut using your owner’s manual. Place your receptacle for the dirty oil underneath the drain and open the nut, tilting the mower as needed to ensure all dirty oil is drained.

Third, you’ll want to change out the oil filter by removing the bolt with your wrench, taking out the dirty filter, cleaning the gasket, lubricating it with clean oil and placing in the new filter, twisting it as you go.

Fourth, it’s time to fill up the reservoir with clean oil. Place your funnel in the engine oil opening and pour in the needed amount, waiting for it to drain through the funnel. Never overfill your oil reservoir! Check the level with a dipstick.

Finally, you can wipe up any spills, double-check that all bolts and seals are tightened and re-connect your spark plug. Make sure that there aren’t any leaks, also.

Remember: if your lawn mower could use some professional attention, you can always contact the Johnson Fleet and Farm service department. We’ll be more than happy to set you up with an appointment to see our team of mechanics so we can address any issues you’re having. If you’re in search of a new or used lawn mower, you’ll want to browse our selection on our website, which will show you the inventory we carry at our Florida and Georgia dealership locations. Johnson Fleet and Farm proudly serves the cities of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL, so stop by today!