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Lawn Mower Maintenance for Push Mowers

Marc McCollough

By Marc McCollough
Updated March 30, 2026

Don’t let a mower that won’t start or cut cleanly stall your spring lawncare. Learn how to change the oil in a push mower, how to sharpen a push mower blade and more to get ready for spring. From tuning up a mower to winterizing a mower and preparing it for storage, here’s what you need to know.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Key Takeaways

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and safety.
  • Disconnect the spark plug, battery or unplug a mower and allow it to cool before beginning any cleaning or work.
  • Clean and check the mower for damage.
  • Clean or replace the air filter.
  • Replace the spark plug.
  • Sharpen or replace the blade.
  • Change the oil.
  • During the season, keep the oil topped off or, on a cordless mower, keep the battery charged.
  • Winterize the mower with the procedures above to simplify spring prep next year.
  • Read the full article for additional safety and maintenance tips.

Push Mower Maintenance Safety

Follow the safety instructions in your manual and remember these procedures:

  • Turn the mower off and allow it to cool before doing any work or cleaning.
  • Disconnect the spark plug wire on a gas mower and disconnect an electric mower from the outlet or battery.
  • Perform the maintenance in a well-ventilated area and on a hard, flat surface.
  • Avoid running the mower in a garage or enclosed space.
  • Wear eye protection and work gloves.
  • Wear nitrile gloves when working with gasoline or oil.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s steps to prevent fuel spills, such as removing fuel with a siphon pump.

This article gives you general steps on how to maintain and tune up a push mower. Procedures vary, so do the maintenance in the order your manual specifies and follow the steps for your mower.

Push Mower Maintenance

If you winterized your mower at the end of last season, you’ve likely done much of this work. If not, plan for the work before you mow the first time.

Print our push mower maintenance checklist for a quick list of the key steps for tuning up a push mower.

Step 1: Get Ready to Work

Follow the steps in “Push Mower Maintenance Safety” above before beginning any work.

Step 2: Inspect and Clean the Mower

  • Place a drop cloth over the work area.
  • Check for loose fasteners and damage, correcting any problems before you mow.
  • Brush debris from the mower and clean around the fuel fill and oil fill.
  • Tilt the mower on its side with the air filter facing up and remove grass and debris from the underside with a plastic putty knife.

Step 3: Clean or Replace the Air Filter on a Gas Mower

  • Note the filter’s orientation and remove it. 
  • Clean a foam filter with water and dish detergent, rinsing and drying it thoroughly before saturating it with engine oil and squeezing out the excess.
  • Reinstall the filter.
  • If the foam filter is damaged or you have a paper filter, install a new one.

Step 4: Replace the Spark Plug on a Gas Mower

  • Use a ratchet and spark plug socket to remove the spark plug.
  • Gap the new spark plug according to the mower manual specifications.
  • Install the new plug.

Step 5: Check the Blade to Ensure a Clean Cut

  • Make sure the spark plug wire is disconnected or the mower is disconnected from power.
  • Protect your hands with heavy work gloves.
  • Tilt the mower on its side with the air filter up.
  • If the blade is damaged or bent, replace it.
  • If the blade is dull, you can sharpen it (Step 6) or replace it with a new blade (Step 7).

Tip

Read our replacement mower blade guide to learn how to find the right blade for your mower.

Step 6: Sharpen the Mower Blade (Optional)

Sharpen a mower blade with a file or a sharpener/balancer kit and a drill:

  • Mark the grass-facing side of the blade.
  • Immobilize the mower blade with a blade removal tool and remove the blade.
  • If you're sharpening the blade with a handheld tool, secure the blade in a vise.
  • Sharpen the cutting edges along the original angle, removing material equally from both ends.
  • Check the blade balance with a balancer or by inserting a screwdriver through the mounting hole.
  • If the blade isn't balanced, remove material from the heavy edge and check again.

Caution

Wear eye protection when sharpening a mower blade. If you're using a power tool, add hearing protection and a respirator, wear long sleeves and work away from any ignition source.

An unbalanced blade can damage the mower or cause injury, so make sure it’s balanced before reinstalling.

Step 7: Reinstall the Blade or Install a New Blade

  • Place the blade on the shaft with the grass-facing side down and immobilize the blade.
  • Secure the blade to the shaft according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade if specified in the manual.
  • Remove the blade immobilizer and set the mower upright.

Step 8: Drain and Change the Oil in a Gas Push Mower

Here’s how to drain oil from a push lawn mower and add new oil:

  • Temporarily connect the spark plug wire and run the mower outside for a minute to warm the oil, if recommended in your manual.
  • Turn the mower off, disconnect the spark plug and move to the tarp.
  • Remove the oil cap.
  • Tip the mower with the air filter up and drain the oil into an oil drain pan. 

  • Set the mower down and slowly pour in fresh engine oil, checking the level frequently.
  • When full, let the oil settle for a few minutes and check again.
  • Once the oil level is correct, tighten the oil cap in place.
  • Clean up spills and dispose of the used oil at an appropriate recycling center or according to the process for your area.

Good to Know

Too much oil can damage the engine. Many push mowers take between 15 and 18 ounces of oil, but capacity varies. Check your manual for the capacity and correct engine oil for your mower.

Step 9: Get Ready to Mow

  • Check your manual for any additional prep work.
  • If you stored a gas mower with old or untreated gasoline, remove it with a syphon pump and dispose of it properly at a recycling center or according to the process for your area.
  • For a gas mower, fill the tank with fresh gasoline.
  • Reconnect the spark plug wire or reconnect the mower to power.

Push Mower Maintenance Each Time You Mow

Before you mow:

  • Deal with any damage or loose fasteners.
  • Check the oil level and add fresh fuel if necessary.
  • Connect the spark plug, battery or power cord.

After you mow:

  • Unplug the spark plug wire or disconnect the mower from power.
  • Allow the mower to cool.
  • Brush debris from the mower.
  • Tilt the mower on its side with the air filter up and clean the underside.
  • Charge the battery on a cordless mower.
  • Store the mower in a dry, ventilated area.

How to Winterize a Push Lawn Mower

Once the season is over, prep your mower for long-term storage over the winter. Winterizing at the end of the season saves time in spring. Many winterization and spring prep steps are the same, and most are for gas mowers. Follow the steps in “Push Mower Maintenance Safety” and “Spring Push Mower Maintenance” above:

  • Inspect and clean the mower.
  • Clean or replace the air filter.
  • Replace the spark plug.
  • Check the blade and sharpen or replace, if necessary.
  • Replace the oil.

Get a Gas Mower Fuel System Ready for Storage

  • Follow the fuel system prep that your mower engine manufacturer recommends.
  • Typically, you either siphon the fuel out with a pump or store the mower with a full tank of gasoline mixed with a fuel stabilizer formulated for storage. 

Lubricate the Engine Cylinder on a Gas Mower (Optional)

  • Remove the spark plug and squirt a small amount of engine oil into the spark plug hole.
  • Pull the starter cord a couple of times to distribute the oil.
  • Replace the spark plug or install a new plug, leaving the spark plug cable disconnected.

Get a Cordless Mower Battery Ready for Storage

Battery care steps vary by manufacturer, so check your manual. In general:

  • Charge the battery according to the instructions for long-term storage.
  • Unplug the charger and remove the battery.
  • Store the battery in a dry location at room temperature.
  • Top off the battery charge through the winter, if recommended by the manufacturer.

Lubricate the Moving Parts and Inspect the Mower

  • Use spray lubricant on handle mounting pins and any other lubrication points the manual indicates.
  • Check the mower for damage or loose parts and correct any problems.

Store the Mower

  • Make sure the mower is clean, cool and dry before putting it away.
  • Make sure the underside of the mower deck is dry.
  • Store the mower in a dry, clean place, away from children and pets and any sources of ignition.

Get Your Push Mower Ready for Spring

Good maintenance gets your mower ready to start in spring. Shop Lowes.com for the tools, parts and materials you need to keep your mower in shape. Not sure which spark plug, air filter or battery fits your mower? Visit your local Lowe’s and talk to a Red Vest associate. They can help you find the supplies you need to keep your mower running efficiently all season long.

Push Mower Maintenance FAQ

The answers to these common questions about mower maintenance help you make sure your mower starts easily and cuts efficiently.

How Much Oil Does a Push Mower Take?

Many push mower models take between 15 and 18 ounces of oil, which is close to half a quart. Check your manual to find out exactly how much oil your push mower takes. Add the oil slowly and check the level frequently so you don’t overfill.

How Do I Drain Gas From a Push Mower?

Drain gas from a push mower with a siphon pump. Work in an area with good ventilation — not in a garage or enclosed space — and wear eye protection and nitrile gloves. Pump the gas into an approved gas container.

How Do I Find the Right Air Filter, Spark Plug and Oil for My Push Mower?

Your manual should have specifications for replacement air filters and spark plugs, as well as the best type of oil for your mower and mowing conditions. A Red Vest associate at your local Lowe’s can also help you find the right parts and supplies for your mower.

How Often Do I Need to Change the Oil on a Push Mower?

Check your manual for specific oil change information, but for typical mowing, plan to change the oil once per season. If you’re working in dusty conditions or mowing several properties, you need to replace the oil more frequently. 

How Often Do I Need to Sharpen or Replace My Push Mower Blade?

It’s a good idea to sharpen or replace a push mower blade annually. During the mowing season, ragged edges on the grass is a good sign that your blade is dull. Check your manual to get blade care specifics for your mower.

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