Oil Changes Ensure Longer Life And Optimal Performance For Small Engines

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON HOW TO PROPERLY PERFORM AN OIL CHANGE

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Mar 31, 2016, 06:00 ET

MILWAUKEE, March 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- As lawn mowers are taken out of storage in anticipation of the first cut of the season, Briggs & Stratton Corporation^®encourages homeowners to take the time to perform an annual oil change. After regular use during the previous season, oil heats up and breaks down, and can become dirty with grass and debris. Replacing old, dirty oil with fresh oil will ensure the best lawn mower performance and prolong the life of the engine. Briggs & Stratton recommends an engine should have its oil changed at least once a season, or after 50 hours of operation for a push mower engine, and 100 hours of use for a ride mower engine.

Briggs & Stratton provides guidelines on how to properly perform an oil change on lawn mower engines

"Our engines are designed to run smoothly and provide power to help homeowners accomplish their projects around the yard, but the use of dirty oil can threaten the performance of the engine," said Carissa Gingras, marketing director of consumer engine and service at Briggs & Stratton. "A regular oil change is a crucial step in our recommended annual engine tune up. To help, we've developed products, how-to content, and videos that make the job quick and easy for our customers."

An oil change can be completed in less than 15 minutes by following a few easy steps. Prior to changing the oil, it is helpful to run the engine for a short time to allow the oil to warm up; this makes it easier to drain. Draining the oil is fairly simple for push mowers:

After heating up the oil, shut the engine off, remember to disconnect the spark plug to prevent accidental starting during the oil change process.
Remove oil fill cap or dipstick. Place a pan or other container under the mouth of the oil fill to catch the old oil as it drains.
To drain oil, tip the lawnmower on its side with the air filter side facing up, oil fill facing down.
Once old oil has been fully drained and collected, fill with new oil. Make sure to pour in the correct amount and approved type of oil for the engine, based on the operator's manual.
Lastly, screw oil fill cap back into place. Wipe any excess oil drips with a rag or towel.

An alternative method for draining the oil is to use the oil drain, which is located on the underside of the mower deck. See the operator's manual for instructions specific to your mower and engine. The oil in a ride mower can be changed similarly by unscrewing the plug from the drain funnel located at the bottom of the engine and letting the old oil flow through the hose into a pan or bucket.

For even easier oil changes, Briggs & Stratton offers an oil removal pump which allows the old, dirty oil to be pumped out of the engine through a hose and directly into a sealed container.

Once the oil change is complete, oil must be disposed of properly. Recycle old oil by taking it to a Briggs & Stratton certified dealer or other recycling facility.

For optimal engine performance, Briggs & Stratton also recommends performing additional annual maintenance.

About Briggs & Stratton Corporation:
Briggs & Stratton Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the world's largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include North America's number one marketer of pressure washers, and it is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of power generation, lawn and garden, turf care and job site products through its Briggs & Stratton^®, Simplicity^®, Snapper^®, Snapper Pro^® Ferris^®, PowerBoss^®, Allmand™, Billy Goat^®, Murray^®, Branco^® and Victa^® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents. For additional information, please visit www.basco.com and www.briggsandstratton.com.