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How to Care for a Riding Lawn Mower

Step 1: Know the key maintenance steps.
For most riding lawn mowers, the four key maintenance steps are: changing the oil and filter, inspecting and replacing the spark plug, replacing or cleaning the air filter, and lubricating the grease fittings.

Complete all four maintenance steps to keep the mower running well.

Step 2: Prepare the mower to change the oil.
Run the engine long enough to heat the oil, which will let the oil drain quickly and flush out more sediment from the engine. Locate and remove the oil filler cap and set it aside. Locate the oil drain plug and position a properly sized waste container under the drain.

Position a waste container below the drain plug.

Step 3: Drain the oil.
Some mowers can use a drain hose to help drain the oil into a container. If this is the case, remove the drain plug cap and slide the oil drain hose over the oil drain valve. Direct the other end of the hose into the container. Push the oil drain valve in slightly, rotate counterclockwise and then pull outward to begin draining the oil. Check your manual for specific oil draining procedure.

Pull the valve out to begin draining.

Step 4: Remove the hose and replace the cap.
When the oil is done draining, remove the hose and close and tighten the valve by pushing in and turning clockwise. Replace the protective cap.

Replace the cap over the drain plug valve.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter.
Use a special oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. Slide the wrench over the oil filter and remove it by turning counterclockwise. When the filter is loose, you can finish removing it by hand. Be careful with the old filter as it will be filled with oil. Dispose of the oil and the filter properly.

Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter.

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