Your lawn mower is an essential piece of outdoor equipment for keeping your lawn tidy and healthy. It requires routine maintenance to keep it running for years and minimize the need for repairs, but some homeowners mistakenly skip vital care. Watch out for these common pitfalls in lawn mower maintenance.

What Maintenance Mistakes Lead to Lawn Mower Damage?

1. Keeping Old Gas in the Tank

Gasoline has a shorter shelf life than you might expect. If left to sit for a few months, it can separate, leaving gummy residue inside your engine that decreases its efficiency or even stops it from running. This isn’t an issue in spring and summer when you’re mowing your lawn regularly because the gas is stirred up and refilled frequently enough to keep it from separating. However, when you put your lawn mower away at the end of the fall, always drain the tank to protect it.

2. Neglecting the Air Filter

An engine must draw in air to burn fuel. Dust and debris in the air can clog the engine, so your lawn mower has an air filter near the intake to keep these materials out. As the filter collects debris, it becomes clogged, making it harder for air to pass through. Your lawn mower’s fan must then work harder to draw air, causing wear, and the engine may run less efficiently because it’s not getting enough oxygen. To keep the filter clear, change it about once every three months.

3. Running Over Obstacles

Your mower has a rugged steel blade, but it isn’t designed to stand against wood, stone, brick, concrete, or metal. If you run over a hard object, it could chip or bend your blade or even break it. If the obstacle is stuck in place, the force of hitting it may make you lose control of the mower or may damage other parts. Before you mow your lawn, look over it carefully for hazards. Never mow too close to exposed tree roots or the edge of a paved area; instead, use a trimmer to tidy the edges.

Keep your mower in top shape all season with service from Performance Powersports of Indiana. With two convenient locations in Frankfort and Whitestown, they offer parts and service for lawn mowers of all types. They also sell used lawn mowing equipment. Visit them online to browse pre-owned models for sale, or call (765) 325-5979 with questions for a team member.