How Often Should You Change Your Lawn Mower Oil?

One of the most common questions we get at Cherrone Equipment Service is how often lawn mower oil should be changed. The short answer: every 50 hours of use or at least once per season — whichever comes first.

For push mowers, most manufacturers recommend an oil change every 50 hours of operation. If you mow a typical residential lawn once a week, that works out to roughly once per season. However, if you're mowing in dusty conditions or cutting tall, thick grass regularly, you should change it more frequently.

Riding mowers and lawn tractors generally need oil changes every 50 to 100 hours, depending on the engine. Kohler and Briggs & Stratton engines each have their own specifications, so check your owner's manual for the exact interval.

Why does it matter? Old oil loses its ability to lubricate and cool engine components. Over time, it collects dirt, metal shavings, and combustion byproducts that turn it dark and sludgy. Running an engine on old oil leads to increased wear, higher operating temperatures, and eventually costly repairs.

Here's what we recommend: change your oil at the start of every mowing season, even if you didn't use all 50 hours the previous year. Oil breaks down over time even when sitting, and starting the season with fresh oil gives your engine the best protection.

Use the oil weight recommended by your engine manufacturer. Most small engines call for SAE 30 in warm weather or 10W-30 for variable temperatures. Synthetic oils are also a great option — they provide better protection across a wider temperature range.

If you're not comfortable changing your own oil, bring it to us. We include an oil change in every tune-up service, and we'll make sure you're running the right oil for your specific engine.