Should You Empty The Gas From Your Lawn Mower Before Storing It For Winter?

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If you want your lawn mower to keep showing up season after season, taking care of it means more than filling the gas tank and occasionally checking the oil. Storage matters, especially if you live somewhere where you won't be mowing the grass year-round. Before rolling your mower into the shed and forgetting about it until spring, give some thought to the gasoline left inside.

You may have heard that you'll need to empty the gasoline if you're going to let it sit for months. While yes, that is a good solution for some models, a good fuel stabilizer might actually eliminate the need to drain it altogether. Make sure you double-check your operating manual to see what the manufacturer recommends, but as a rule of thumb, you want to avoid leaving untreated gasoline sitting in the fuel system for months on end.

If you're wondering how long gas can sit in your lawn mower before it starts causing problems, deterioration can begin as quickly as 30 days, potentially leading to fuel-system clogs and gum and varnish buildup. It also makes it less combustible, which means there's a good chance it won't start up. No one wants to spend the first warm weekend trying to start up the mower instead of actually getting any chores done, so preparing it now gives you one less chore to tackle when mowing season returns.

If you want to remove the gas from your machine, take your lawn mower outdoors with the engine off and cool before attempting to drain any fuel, and make sure you have a gasoline container handy to collect the fuel. A hand-operated siphon pump rated for gasoline can make the transfer easier, and you can get a portable pump on Amazon for less than $10. Then, run the mower outdoors until the remaining fuel is used up. You don't want to leave any leftover gas in the carburetor.

If you're hoping to use last season's gas in your lawn mower, planning ahead with proper fuel treatment will make all the difference. Pick up some stabilizer that is compatible with your fuel and lawn mower type. Don't guess the amount — measure the treatment according to the volume of gas you're treating, following any instructions on the bottle. Then run the mower outdoors to circulate the treated fuel through the system, usually around ten minutes. Shut it off afterward and let it cool before storage.

Whichever way you choose to store your mower, make sure you disconnect the spark-plug wire and clear away grass clippings and debris before storing it inside your garage or shed. Now is also a good time to check for worn parts and complete any oil service due before saying goodbye for the season. Giving your mower a little attention before winter is a simple way to extend a lawn mower's life and help it stay ready for next spring's first cut.