When the leaves start changing, most of us put away our lawn mowers for the winter. Make sure you empty the gas tank before storing it over the winter.
Consumer Reports has some tips to make sure your mower is ready for the spring. The most important tip: empty the gas.
Gasoline left sitting in the fuel tank for months thickens into what repairmen call varnish. The ethanol in today's gas also stiffens rubber and plastic parts and coats linkages. Some people have success adding fuel stabilizer to gas—some are
designed to counteract ethanol's effects
—and storing it that way. For the most assurance, add the proper amount of stabilizer or instead pour in some
ethanol-free fuel
(available for about $6 a quart at some outdoor-gear dealers, Sears, and home centers) and run it dry. Once the machine cools down, drain the
carburetor bowl
, too; a simple bolt holds it in place. Have gas left over in the can? Add it to your car's fuel tank and buy fresh gas for your leaf blower or snow blower.
If you have an electric mower you won't have as many worries, but you'll still want to bring the battery inside (if you can) to lengthen its lifespan. Click the link for all the details on taking care of gas and electric mowers.
Lawn Mower Maintenance | Consumer Reports News
Photo by Anssi Koskien.