How To Treat Lawn Mower Fuel Instead Of Tossing It Out

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Whether you buy a compact lawn mower for a modest urban yard or a big zero-turn machine for larger acreage, you'll want to make the most of your investment. The maintenance tasks you should be doing after every mow might seem like a chore, but they really do not take very long, and they're a big help in keeping your machine out of the repair shop.

As it gets later in the season, you should be thinking about winterizing your lawn and getting your mower cleaned up and ready to store until next year. One of the most important steps is to attend to the leftover fuel because it starts to go stale after about 30 days. Using expired gas can affect the mower's performance and damage the fuel system and carburetor. Many people are accustomed to draining the tank or running the motor until all the fuel is used up. Both are a waste of money and not great for the environment. Fuel stabilizers are additives that treat the gas and keep it fresh for up to two years, so you don't have to toss it out. Some also provide corrosion protection. STA-BIL is a popular choice, available at Amazon in a 4-ounce container for just $6.49. That's enough to treat 10 gallons of fuel. Larger quantities are also available.

Fuel stabilizers can be used in all engine sizes. You can use it in cars, motorcycles, generators, and of course lawn mowers. They are suitable for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke motors. They are not, however, miracle workers. They cannot make bad gas good again, so you will have to use fresh fuel for the treatment.

Using a fuel stabilizer is very straightforward. The instructions on the label will tell you the required amount to use. After pouring it into the tank, you will need to run the lawn mower for a specified amount of time, so the additive moves throughout the system. Once complete, your mower is ready for storage. To prevent condensation, some products recommend keeping the tank around 95% full. This helps keep water out of the system, which could create engine starting or running issues.

There are a few drawbacks to using fuel stabilizers such as its toxicity and high flammability. A lawn mower in storage with a tank full of gas is a potential fire hazard, so you need to take necessary precautions. It is also not a practical solution if you stand your lawn mower up when not in use. In this case, you will need to drain the tank. However, if the gas is fresh, you can treat fuel in a can so it's handy when you want to mow again. There are a number of smart ways you might want to use your lawn mower in the winter, but if you're going to store it, using a fuel additive means you won't need to toss out expensive gas.