I killed a lawn mower by parking it for winter without a thought. The next spring it would not start no matter what I did, and the repair shop said the carburetor was gummed up from stale gas. That was an expensive lesson.

Winterizing a mower takes fifteen minutes and saves you a spring headache.

Run the gas out or add stabilizer

Stale gas is the number one mower killer. You can either run the mower until the tank is empty, or fill the tank and add fuel stabilizer, then run it for a few minutes so the stabilized gas reaches the carburetor. Both work.

Change the oil

Old oil sits in the engine all winter and can turn acidic. Change the oil in the fall so clean oil protects the engine while it sleeps. It is a five minute job with a drain pan and a funnel.

Clean the underside

Grass clippings stuck under the deck trap moisture and cause rust. Scrape the deck clean with a putty knife, then rinse and dry it. A clean deck also means the blades stay sharper.

Disconnect the spark plug

Pull the spark plug wire off and check the plug. A clean, properly gapped plug starts easily in spring. While the wire is off, the mower cannot accidentally start if someone bumps it.

Store it dry and covered

Moisture is the enemy of stored tools. Park the mower in a dry spot, off the grass if possible. A tarp or mower cover keeps dust and damp off. If it has to sit outside, tilt it slightly so water runs off.

Touch up the blades

Fall is a good time to sharpen the blades, so spring starts with a clean cut. Sharp blades mean healthier grass and less strain on the engine.

The mower I killed taught me the whole routine. Now I winterize every machine in the fall, and spring starts with the first pull instead of a trip to the shop.