Clean and inspect mower, trimmer, and edger

Before the first use of the season, check your mower's oil level, air filter, and spark plug. Clean the underside of the deck. Inspect trimmer line and edger blades. Replace fuel if it sat over winter without stabilizer.

Why It Works

Winter storage causes fuel to degrade, oil to settle, and moisture to accumulate. A tuned-up mower runs efficiently and cuts cleanly. Neglected equipment stalls mid-job or produces poor cut quality.

Tips

• Replace the air filter annually — a clogged filter wastes fuel and reduces power.
• Stale gasoline is the number-one cause of spring start-up problems. Drain old fuel or add stabilizer before winter storage next year.