Spring is nearly here, and you know what that means—itchy eyes, runny nose, and, of course, lawn mower maintenance. Before I kick off the mowing season, I like to give my lawn tractor a little TLC. I’ll walk you through exactly how I prep it—oil change, filter swaps, spark plug check, tire pressure, and a good cleanup—so you’re ready to roll when the grass starts growing.
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Why Lawn Mower Maintenance Matters
A well-maintained mower runs smoother, lasts longer, and doesn’t leave you stranded halfway through your yard. Regular lawn mower maintenance keeps the engine healthy and your mowing experience stress-free. I should’ve done all this before winter hit, but hey—it got cold, and I got lazy. So now is the perfect time to make it right.
- For models KT715, KT720, KT725, KT730, KT735, KT740, KT745, KT600, KT610, and KT620
- Includes Kohler genuine air filter (#32 083 09), foam pre-cleaner, oil filter, Kohler 10W-30 oil (2 qts), fuel filter, spark plugs (2)
- Kohler genuine 10W-30 synthetic-blend oil contains extra zinc for extended wear protection
- Kohler genuine maintenance kits save you time and money
- Kohler genuine parts are guaranteed to fit, perform, and protect
Last update on 2025-05-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 1: Draining the Oil (A Messy Mission)
I started with the oil change. My Kohler engine has a quick-release drain plug, but it’s tucked behind the tie rod—making it a pain to reach. No matter how careful you are, this part always gets messy.
To manage the mess, I slid some cardboard under the mower and rigged up a short drain hose. Of course, the hose was too short, so I had to sit there and hold it like I was milking a lawn tractor. If you’re doing this at home, make sure you’ve got a long enough hose to direct the oil into a catch pan.
Once the oil drained, I tackled the filter. These things are always tricky. The threads on this filter are long, which means unscrewing it takes forever and always dumps oil all over the place. I used a Kohler OEM filter for the replacement and gave the o-ring a light coat of oil before screwing it on snugly—but not too tight. Just a half-turn past contact does the trick.
Two quarts of oil later, and we’re golden. I double-checked the dipstick, topped off where needed, and moved on.
Step 2: Replacing the Fuel Filter
Fuel filters are easy to overlook, but crucial for good performance. Mine had been in for a couple of years, so it was time. A quick clamp, pop the lines off, replace, and clamp it back in. Simple stuff—but worth doing every season or two.
Step 3: Swapping the Air Filter
This was a big one. My air filter hadn’t been touched in two years. The pre-filter looked like it had been through a dust storm. Even if the main filter didn’t seem terrible, it’s good practice to replace both.
I used a new pre-filter and air filter combo, gave the housing a quick clean to remove grass and oil residue, and popped the new one in. A clean air filter keeps your engine breathing right—don’t skip this.
Step 4: Checking the Spark Plugs
Spark plugs can tell you a lot about your engine’s health. Mine had a bit of carbon fouling, but nothing too concerning. I used a wire brush to clean the electrode and got them looking nearly new.
My mower has two plugs, so I repeated the process on both. Always check the gap if you’ve got a gauge handy—but a quick visual check and cleanup is better than ignoring them altogether.
Step 5: Tire Pressure and Cleanup
I usually check the tire pressure and give the whole mower a wipe-down to clear away dust, debris, and grass buildup. A clean machine not only looks better—it runs cooler and performs better too.
Mastering Lawn Mower Maintenance for a Trouble-Free Season
There you have it—my complete lawn mower maintenance routine to kick off spring the right way. From oil changes and fuel filters to spark plugs and air filters, each step plays a part in keeping your mower ready to tackle tall grass without hiccups.
If you’re reading this and your mower is sitting in the garage with last season’s oil still in it—take this as your sign. Do the maintenance now and save yourself the headache later. A few hours of work can save you expensive repairs and wasted Saturdays.
