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How to Perform Lawn Mower Maintenance

Briggs & Stratton Admin : Updated on January 21, 2026

Engines Category Mowers

tune_up_kit Tune-up: Learn how to maintain your engine. Tuning up is good for your engine and the environment. It will also save you money. Our interactive demo walks you through four easy steps to perform lawn mower maintenance. It is even easier with a Briggs & Stratton Maintenance Kit. According to environmental impact data, a properly tuned and maintained lawn mower makes a big difference:

Reduces mower emissions by up to 50%
Reduces costly fuel consumption up to 30%
And, extends the life of your engine!

To keep your mower operating smoothly throughout the lawn care season, remember these maintenance tips:

Oil

Check the oil level regularly - ideally every time you mow. Add oil up to the fill line on the dipstick as needed.
If you have a new mower, change the oil after the first five hours of use. After that, change the oil after every 50 hours of use or at the beginning of each lawn care season.

Keep the Blades Sharp

Keep your mower blades sharpened so that you are cutting your lawn cleanly and not "tearing" the grass. Your lawn mower dealer can do this for you.

Clean, fresh fuel is essential for an engine to start quickly and operate efficiently. Gasoline deteriorates after 30 days and can negatively affect engine and starting performance.
Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer Plus gasoline additive can keep your fuel fresh year-round and help prevent gum deposits in the carburetor.
Or purchase a Fresh Start® continuous fuel preserver cap and cartridge for up to six months of hassle-free starting.

When the mower deck is clogged with clippings, turn off the mower, disconnect the spark plug and then use a garden hose to wash away the material.
After spraying, remove any remaining clumps of grass that may interfere with the blade by using a stick or other tool - never use your hands or feet.