Storing Your Equipment

Protect Your Investment

Perform some simple seasonal storage and startup maintenance in the spring, fall or whenever you store your equipment for prolonged periods of time.

Fuel

  • Top up the fuel tank before storing.
  • Filling the tank helps prevent moisture from condensing in your fuel tank, and stops rust and scale before it starts.
  • Before you fill up, add Briggs & Stratton fuel stabilizer to the fuel*, then run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the additive through the carburetor. The fuel stabilizer will help prevent gum from forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts.
  • * Note: if you choose Not to use the Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer, or if the engine is using fuel-containing alcohol, such as gasohol, remove all fuel from the tank and run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel.

Oil

  • While the engine is still warm, change the oil and the oil filter (if equipped).
  • Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle motor oil is available through your local dealer or retailer.

Battery

  • Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal, on units so equipped.
  • Remove the battery. Your battery should be stored in a cool, dry place.
  • Clean the battery terminals using the Briggs & Stratton Battery Terminal Cleaner, and coat all terminals with the Briggs & Stratton Terminal Protector.

Cleaning Your Equipment

  • Don't store your engine dirty. Clean the engine surface of debris, chaff or grass.
  • With the spark plug lead removed from the engine, use a garden hose to wash away any residual grass clippings.
  • Once the majority of the grass clippings have been removed, it will be easier to identify a clump of grass that may be interfering with blade motion.
  • Using a wooden stick or other implement other than your hands and feet, remove the offending material and wash the deck thoroughly.