MyME
Summer heat, dust, and fast-growing grass are tough on any mower. A simple lawn mower maintenance routine keeps cuts clean, engines cool, and weekends free.
Use this all-season plan and learn how to sharpen a lawn mower blade safely to keep your walk-behind, rider, or zero-turn running right.
Lawn mower maintenance: five habits that prevent most summer headaches
- Use fresh fuel (E10 or lower). Buy small batches, skip E15 “Unleaded 88,” and add stabilizer if gas may sit 30 days or more.
- Keep a sharp, balanced blade. Touch up every 20 to 25 hours. Dull blades tear grass and make the engine work harder.
- Clean the deck, top and bottom. Airflow is everything. Scrape clumps after each mow to reduce clogging and heat.
- Clear the cooling system. Brush off engine screens and fins so heat can escape. A cool engine lasts longer.
- Match tire pressure side-to-side. Uneven PSI tilts the deck and creates a wavy cut.
Always follow your owner’s manual for model-specific fuel, fluids, and service intervals.
Before every mow: a 60-second check
- Check oil and fuel, look for leaks.
- Brush debris off the deck, air intake, and belt guards, then tip safely to clean underneath.
- Verify tire pressure is even.
How to sharpen a lawn mower blade safely (and when to replace)
- Disconnect power. Pull the spark plug wire (gas) or remove the battery (battery mowers).
- Remove and mark the blade. Mark the underside “bottom” so you reinstall the right way.
- Sharpen at about 45 degrees. Clamp the blade and file or grind from the cutting edge outward with even strokes.
- Balance matters. Use a balancer or a nail. An unbalanced blade causes vibration and spindle wear.
- Torque to spec. Reinstall and tighten to your manual’s torque.
Replace the blade if it is cracked, bent, or thinned near the sail. Prefer drop-off sharpening? Schedule Service.
A simple summer maintenance cadence
- Every ~25 hours: Clean or replace the air filter. Change oil if your manual calls for it. Sharpen the blade.
- Around 50 hours: Change oil and filter, grease spindles and idlers, check belt condition, and level the deck.
- Around 100 hours or season’s end: Replace spark plug(s), fuel filter, and air filter. Clean cooling fins under the shroud.
Cut smarter, not shorter
Follow the one-third rule and keep cool-season turf near three inches or higher in summer. If grass is damp or extra dense, slow down and double-cut instead of forcing a single pass. Overlap passes by one to two inches and switch directions to stand grass up and reduce ruts.
Heat-wave mowing plan
Mow early or late, raise the deck a notch, and mulch clippings to shade soil. Clean the air filter more often when it is dusty, and brush the flywheel screen each session. For battery gear, keep packs out of hot cars and let them cool to room temperature before charging.
Quick fixes for common problems
- Hard starts or stalling: Drain stale gas. Clean or replace the air filter.
- Overheating or power drop: Clear packed grass from the deck. Clean the flywheel screen or cooling fins.
- Uneven cut: Equalize tire pressure, clean the deck, sharpen the blade, and re-level the deck.
- Clogging in heavy growth: Raise deck height, mow slower, and double-cut.
- Belt issues: Check for cracks or glazing, clean pulleys, and reroute correctly.
Safety basics that save fingers (and bearings)
Disconnect the spark plug (gas) or remove the battery before service. Wear gloves when handling blades. Skip the pressure washer on spindle housings and battery compartments, and use a light hose or hand wash.
Battery mower care (heat and humidity edition)
Operate and charge between about 41 to 104°F. Never in the rain. For multi-week breaks, store packs about 40 to 60 percent charged in a cool, dry spot. Let a hot battery cool to room temperature before charging. Heat shortens service life.
Keep these on hand to avoid downtime
Engine oil and the right filter, an air filter and foam pre-filter, spark plug(s) gapped to spec, fuel stabilizer for every fresh can, a second sharpened blade for quick swaps, and a spare deck belt if time matters.
Dial in deck level (side-to-side and front-to-back)
Level the deck a couple of times each season. A slightly lower front lip (1/8 to 1/4 inch) improves lift, discharge, and cut quality. Check your manual for model-specific specs.
Need backup? We’re here—in‑store
For persistent belt slip, overheating, fuel leaks, or charging issues, bring it to the pros. Schedule In‑Shop Service, order genuine parts, or explore new lawn mowers.
When you’re ready to chat, find a location near you.
