Winter storage can leave gasoline stale and let grass, moisture, and corrosion cause trouble when mowing season returns. A careful seasonal shutdown protects your mower and makes spring startup more straightforward.
Most owners can complete the work in about an hour, depending on the mower and maintenance needed. Check your owner’s manual first, because fuel storage, oil changes, battery care, and safe cleaning steps vary by model.
What You Need
Gather your mower’s owner’s manual, gloves, a brush or cloth, fresh engine oil if a change is due, and a fuel stabilizer if you plan to store gasoline in the tank. Use the stabilizer’s label directions and the mower manufacturer’s storage instructions.
Pros
- Two bottles included
- 32 ounces per bottle
- Fuel stabilizer and conditioner
Cons
- Who should skip it: buyers needing listed application instructions
Pros
- Treats up to 512 gallons
- Suitable for multiple engine types
- Helps stabilize fuel up to two years
Cons
- Who should skip it: buyers who do not need fuel treatment
Pros
- Suitable for all gasoline grades
- Compatible with 2- and 4-cycle engines
- Clear application rate
Cons
- Requires measuring 1 ounce per gallon
- Who should skip it: drivers who do not store gasoline
- Follow supplied application directions when handling fuel additive
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower
Step 1: Choose a fuel-storage method
Check the manual to see whether the manufacturer recommends storing the mower with stabilized fuel or draining the fuel system. These methods are not interchangeable for every mower, so follow the instructions for your model.
If you use stabilizer, add the amount stated on its label for the fuel volume in the tank. Do not assume products share the same dose. Keep fuel and treatment away from children, flames, sparks, and hot surfaces, and use them outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Step 2: Run treated fuel through the system
When the product and mower instructions call for it, start the mower and let it run long enough for treated fuel to circulate. Follow the specified procedure and stop if you notice a leak or unusual operation.
If the manual instead calls for draining fuel, use its procedure and an approved fuel container. Never siphon gasoline by mouth, and do not pour it onto the ground or into a drain.
Step 3: Let the mower cool and disconnect power
Park the mower on a level surface, switch it off, remove the key if it has one, and let the engine and muffler cool fully. For a gas mower, disconnect the spark-plug wire before cleaning or working near the blade. Follow the manual for battery removal or storage on electric-start and battery-powered models.
Wear gloves when working near the blade. Keep children away from the mower, fuel, and tools during maintenance.
Step 4: Clean the deck and remove debris
Brush away grass, leaves, and dirt from the deck, wheels, and accessible areas. Use the cleaning method approved by the manufacturer. Avoid spraying water at the engine, electrical parts, bearings, or battery unless the manual allows it.
If you need to raise or tip the mower, follow the manual’s directions. Incorrect positioning can allow oil or fuel to enter parts where it should not go.
Step 5: Check the oil and maintenance schedule
Check the oil level and condition as directed. If an oil change is due, use the oil type and disposal method specified by the mower manufacturer. Do not pour used oil into household trash, soil, or drains.
Look over the air filter, blade, and other service items listed in the maintenance schedule. Replace or service parts only as the manual directs, and have damaged or uncertain components assessed before storage.
Step 6: Prepare the battery, if equipped
Follow the manual’s instructions for disconnecting, charging, or storing the battery. Battery types and charging requirements differ. Use only a charger approved for that battery, and stop if the battery is damaged, swollen, or leaking.
Step 7: Store the mower in a dry, protected place
Store the mower in a dry location away from heat sources and open flames. Keep gasoline in an approved, sealed container if the manual’s storage plan requires it, and follow local rules for fuel storage.
For seasonal maintenance and equipment information, browse the Lawn Mowers category or the broader Lawn & Garden category.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not add stabilizer by guesswork. Products have different treatment rates, so measure according to the label and account for the amount of fuel in the tank.
Do not choose between draining fuel and storing stabilized fuel without checking the mower manual. A method that suits one engine may not suit another.
Cleaning while the engine is hot or the spark-plug wire is connected can create avoidable hazards. Let the mower cool, disconnect power as directed, and keep hands clear of the blade.
Avoid storing a wet, debris-covered mower or tipping it without checking the manual. Moisture can linger, while improper tipping can cause fluid to move into unintended parts.
Recommended Gear
Yamaha Yamalube Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner comes as a two-pack, which may suit owners who maintain more than one fuel-powered piece of equipment or want product on hand for later. The published listing does not provide a treatment rate, so check the container for dosing and mower compatibility. Pros: two bottles in the listed pack. Cons: published details do not state the dose or storage duration. Who should skip it: buyers who need a clearly listed treatment rate before purchase.
STAR BRITE Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment lists use in lawn mowers and says its concentrated formula treats up to 512 gallons. The listing also claims fuel stabilization for up to two years, but follow its label and your mower manual rather than treating that claim as a guarantee for every storage condition. Pros: stated lawn-mower use and a listed treatment capacity. Cons: the broad capacity figure makes careful measurement important. Who should skip it: buyers who prefer a product with a simpler, mower-specific dose on the published listing.
Lucas Oil 10302-12 Fuel Stabilizer (12x15oz) is listed as suitable for all grades of gasoline and two- and four-cycle engines, with an application rate of 1 ounce per gallon. Its 12-container pack may be more than a single mower owner needs. Pros: stated application rate and broad engine compatibility. Cons: the multi-container quantity may take up storage space. Who should skip it: owners who need only a small amount of stabilizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drain the gas or add stabilizer?
Use the method specified in your mower’s manual. If it calls for stabilizer, follow the product label’s dose and any instructions about running the engine afterward.
Can I use these treatments in a lawn mower?
The STAR BRITE listing specifically names lawn mowers, and the Lucas Oil listing says it is suitable for all grades of gasoline and two- and four-cycle engines. The supplied Yamaha listing gives no compatibility details. Check each product label and your mower manual before use.
Do I need to change the oil before winter storage?
Follow the mower’s maintenance schedule. If an oil change is due, use the specified oil and procedure. The supplied fuel treatments do not replace engine oil maintenance.
What should I do with a mower battery?
Battery care varies by mower and battery type. Check the manual for instructions on disconnection, charging, and storage, and use only a charger approved for that battery.
Where should I store the mower?
Choose a dry, protected location away from heat and flames. Store any gasoline in an approved container and follow local fuel-storage rules.
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