We’ve all been there – the grass is growing, the sun is shining, and it’s time to give your lawn some much-needed attention. You head out to the garage, dust off your trusty lawn mower, and…uh oh. You suddenly realize it’s been ages since you last changed the oil! Just like with our cars, our lawn mowers need proper maintenance too, and that includes regular oil changes. Fear not my fellow green thumbs; in this blog post, I will guide you through a step-by-step process on how to drain oil from your lawn mower with ease. So grab a rag (things might get a bit messy), and let’s dive in!
Why Do We Need To Change The Oil?
Before we start getting our hands dirty, let’s discuss why draining and changing your lawn mower’s oil is essential for its health and longevity.
- Lubrication: The engine of your lawn mower has many moving parts that create friction while operating. Oil helps lubricate these parts reducing wear and tear over time.
- Heat Reduction: As the engine runs, it generates heat which can cause severe damage if left unchecked. The oil helps dissipate this heat by circulating around the engine.
- Cleaning: As oil circulates through your engine, it picks up dirt particles keeping them away from critical components.
- Protecting: Over time, gasoline can break down into acids that corrode metals inside engines – not good! Fresh oil helps neutralize these harmful substances.
Now that we know why it’s essential to change the oil let’s gather our tools and materials.
Tools & Materials Needed
- Clean rags or paper towels
- An approved container for used motor oil (old milk jugs work great)
- A wrench or socket set (to remove the drain plug)
- Gloves (optional, but recommended)
- Funnel
- New oil (check your owner’s manual for the correct type and quantity)
Step-by-Step Guide on Draining Oil from Your Lawn Mower
Now that we’ve got everything ready let’s get down to business. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have fresh oil in your lawn mower in no time.
Step 1: Prepare Your Lawn Mower
First things first, let’s make sure your lawn mower is ready for an oil change. Here’s what you need to do:
- Run the engine: Start your lawn mower and let it run for a couple of minutes. Warming up the engine helps thin out the old oil, making it easier to drain.
- Turn off the engine: Once warmed up, switch off the engine and disconnect any spark plugs to prevent accidental starts.
- Clean around the dipstick/oil fill cap: Before removing anything, grab a clean rag or paper towel and wipe away any dirt or debris surrounding the dipstick/oil fill cap area – we don’t want foreign materials ending up inside our freshly changed oil!
Step 2: Locate & Remove Drain Plug
Next up is locating and removing your lawn mower’s drain plug so that we can release all that dirty old oil.
- Locate drain plug: Check your owner’s manual if unsure about its location – typically found at the base of the engine or beneath it.
- Place container under drain plug: Slide your approved container under where you’ll be removing said plug – remember; this can get messy!
- Remove drain plug: Using a wrench or socket set, remove (usually counter-clockwise) carefully while watching out for hot surfaces around exhaust areas.
- Drain old oil: Allow all liquid gold to flow freely into our collection vessel until empty – patience is key!
Step 3: Replace Drain Plug & Refill with New Oil
Now that we’ve got all the old oil out, it’s time to seal everything back up and refill it with fresh, clean oil.
- Replace drain plug: Once your lawn mower has finished draining, re-install said plug (clockwise) ensuring a snug fit – but be careful not to over-tighten!
- Locate dipstick/oil fill cap: With our drain plug securely in place, it’s time to find where our new oil will enter the engine.
- Remove dipstick/oil fill cap: Unscrew and remove (counter-clockwise) – set aside on a clean surface.
- Refill with new oil: Using a funnel, begin pouring the required amount/type of fresh lubricant into your engine – refer to the owner’s manual if unsure about specifics! As you pour watch your progress by periodically checking the level via dipstick.
- Replace dipstick/oil fill cap: Once satisfied with levels, screw back tightly (clockwise), wiping away any spills or drips.
Step 4: Dispose of Old Oil Responsibly
The final step is disposing of our used motor oil in an environmentally responsible manner – remember; we’re green thumbs here!
- Transfer old oil: Carefully pour drained liquid from the collection container into approved storage vessels such as old milk jugs or specific motor oil containers
- Find a local recycling center: Locate nearby facilities that accept used motor oils for safe disposal/recycling – many auto parts stores offer this service free of charge!
- Drop off old oil: Transport sealed containers responsibly ensuring no leaks/spills occur during transit.
Draining Oil From Lawn Mower Conclusion
And there you have it – four straightforward steps to draining and refilling the oil in your lawn mower! By completing this simple maintenance task regularly, you’ll be helping prolong the life of your engine, ensuring a smooth-running lawn mower for many seasons to come. So give yourself a pat on the back (once you’ve cleaned off those oily hands) and bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. Your lawn will thank you!
