For do-it-yourself gardeners the lawn mower is an essential piece of equipment, worthy of meticulous maintenance. In fact, you may pamper your lawn mower just as much as you do your car!

Even if you winterized your lawn mower last fall, it’s a good idea to give it a good inspection and tuneup come spring. Here are 10 expert tips to help prevent expensive repairs and keep your mower running smoothly through the grass-growing season.

Have these tools on hand:

● Hammer.

● Clamps.

● Socket/ratchet set.

● Spark plug socket and spark plug gap gauge.

● Grease gun.

● Square tip screwdriver.

● Oil filter wrench.

● Shop vacuum.

● Side cutter.

● Torque wrench.

● Plastic gloves.

Worn spark plugs can make it difficult to start the mower and can lead to misfires, poor fuel economy and engine damage. Replace spark plugs based on manufacturer recommendations. 

5. Spark plug maintenance

● Make sure nothing falls into the spark plug cylinder by cleaning around the plug before you remove it.

● If the old plug is difficult to remove, use a spray to help loosen it (rather than brute force, which can damage the engine).

● Set the gap on the new plug before installation.

● Finger-tighten the new plug first, then use a plug wrench to gently tighten it down.

Fill the fuel tank with new gas. Gas stored more than 30 days can cause starting problems.

Inspect mower blades and replace those that are dull or worn. Instead of slicing the grass cleanly, dull blades leave a torn edge on the grass that takes longer to heal. They also make the mower engine and belts work harder.

Consider keeping a spare set of blades handy for easy replacement.

Dull blades also can be sharpened by a professional.