Lawn mowers run best off of fresh, clean unleaded gasoline. This can be the same as the type that you put in your vehicle. The gas should be at least 87 octane, and should not contain higher than 10% ethanol. [2] X Research source Gasoline with higher ethanol levels is corrosive, attracts water, and can damage the interior of the lawn mower’s gas tank.
If you’re not sure which is the primer button, check for a diagram or schematic in the owner’s manual. This will show the layout of the lawn mower, including the primer button.
This lever needs to be in “starting” position before you pull the starting cord. Also, in order for the lawn mower’s motor to keep running, you’ll need to keep holding this lever while you use the mower.
Some models of lawn mower will have more than one handle attached to the starting cord. If this is the case with your model, hold both handles in one hand and use them both to pull forcefully on the starting cord.
Old gas which has been sitting in the gas tank for more than a couple of months can attract moisture and potentially corrode the gas tank. To avoid this, try to use up nearly all of the gas each time you use the mower, and don’t let old gas remain in the tank for months.
After the lawn mower engine has started and is running, you can open the choke so that more air can enter the engine. This will keep the mower from dying while you’re using it. On some riding lawn mower models, the throttle control is entirely automatic and inside the mower.
If you’re unsure of the location of the primer button, check the riding lawn mower manual for a diagram showing the location of the lawn mower’s parts and buttons.
If this doesn’t start the engine, press on the primer button another 3 or 4 times, and then begin pulling the starting rope again.
If the mower’s gas tank doesn’t have a drain plug, you may need to use a length of hose and siphon the gas from the tank.
If you need assistance opening the engine or finding the spark plug, you can refer to the lawn mower manual, which should contain a diagram of the engine. You can purchase carburetor cleaner at a local auto supply store.
If you’re unsure of the air filter’s location, refer to the lawn mower manual. This should provide a diagram with the location of the air filter and other engine components. You can purchase a new lawn mower air filter at your local hardware store. Air filters may also be sold at an auto parts store, or at a large retailer like WalMart.
