How often do you change the oil in your lawn mower?

Question

And how do you do it? Is there a nut beneath the mower you need to remove or do you turn the whole thing over? Thanks.

Answer 1

I change mine every spring with fresh oil. There should be about a 5/8 head bolt on the bottom of the mower. BE SURE to pull the spark plug wire off the spark plug before doing any work under the mower. Could save your hand. Do not over fill. Most likely you can use 30 weight oil.

Answer 2

If its a small engine (pushmower, self propelled push mower, 3.5 to 6 horse power....)
They take around 20 ounces of oil....
It is every 25 hours they are supposed to be changed..... if it has a oil filter (yes these small engines, such as briggs use oil filters on some models) change it every 50...
why so short of a oil change interval? because.... these engines run at 3,600 rpm for hours on end, in dusty conditions, a small oil sump and no oil filtration...
Use a hd-30 (high detergent) 30 weight oil.... above 40 degrees Fahrenheit .... using straight wights below will and can result in engine damage...
use a 10-30 or 5w-30 below 40 for easy starts and good cold flow...
Or use a 10w-30 or 5w-30 synthetic all year round...

There is usually a drain plug on the side... or underneath..
They also give instructions to drain it by flipping it on the side... and draining it out the oil filler..... but this doesn't really get it all out..
Drain, put the plug back in!!! and fill with oil... keep inserting the dipstick in, pull it out, wipe it off and recheck till its right at the full mark... be sure to wait a couple minutes each time you check it, for the oil to settle.
Do not overfill or underfill.
Check the oil often (every time you go to start it)...
And of course...... take the plug wire off the spark plug before attempting anything...

Answer 3

You want to change your oil in your lawn mower after every 25 hours of use. Some of them will have a nut beneath the mower, but I find it easier to tip on its side - I use the pickup tailgate or porch and a 5 gal bucket. I use SAE 30 (most mowers recommend this - you can check owners manual to see if yours uses this or something different). The amount of oil to use varies and for some reason they never seem to put it in the owners manual, but you can always just pour slowly and check the dip stick often (dont overfill).
Hope this helps!!!

Answer 4

Make it a RULE of thumb to check OIL at every usage before cutting. Look at the oil for color and smooth it between your fingers for any grit or odd feelings. Use quality oil and whatever the mower manufacturer recommends. You can't go wrong with 10/30 weight. I would change OIL in early spring and early summer, but even more often if it's used hard and the environment of the lawn is NASTY!

Answer 5

Dear tapping toes:

It would depend on the type and style of mower that you have. Look at the brand name to see for example if its a Toro, Snapper or Briggs & Stratton and then call a distributor in your area and give them the model number that is usually in a area that can be seen. And of course there is always Google.

Warning: Please remember tapping toes before you attempt to do anything yourself always disconnect "first" the spark plug wire. "Your safety is first"

Answer 6

I change mine every spring but I check it often. I mow for two hours just about every week from mid-May to early October. Probably about every fifty hours.

Answer 7

Most of them have a nut on the underside - you should change it every year.

Answer 8

i agree with ford, every spring. i run mine a few minutes to get any sludge in the oil moving so it drains out with everything else