7 Tips to Add Gas Safely to a Lawn Mower

Moving to the suburbs or buying your first home with a yard—especially for a previous city-dweller—is exciting, but there's definitely a learning curve when it comes to mowing a lawn. Good on you for doing research since lawn mower accidents and injuries are (unfortunately) all too common. In this guide, learn seven tips to help you add gas to your fuel tank and preserve the health of your mower.

1. Read Your User's Manual

Every lawn mower works a little differently. You'll want to understand where the gas tank is located, as well as if you'll need to prime your device before you use it to avoid lawn mower mishaps.

But let's be honest: Sometimes, we buy new things and toss the manual. If that's the case here, do a quick internet search of your lawn mower model to find the instructions as a PDF.

2. Buy the Right Type of Gas

For most lawn mowers, fresh unleaded gas works just fine. You can buy a 5-gallon gas can (around $20), then fill it right at the gas pump. The octane rating should be 87 or higher. If regular unleaded gas in your area is below 87, opt for premium gas.

Make sure you unscrew the lid and put the nozzle firmly in the gas can before filling at the pump. Don't walk away as it fills. Take any other precautions as needed to prevent spills.

Natural gas has a shelf life of three to six months. If your canister still contains gas from last season, pour the old gas in a government-approved container and dispose of it at a local site.

3. Don’t Add Fuel When a Lawn Mower Is Running

According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, tens of thousands of Americans suffer from lawn mower accidents each year. One of the most common injuries they face are burns, often from fuel that ignited due to misuse. Not good.

The vibrations from a running mower could cause you to spill gas on the engine, which can create harmful vapors or gas fire. It may seem convenient to keep the lawn mower running, especially if you're halfway through the job and don't want to walk your device back to the shed. But that's exactly what you should do.

4. Make Sure Your Lawn Mower Has Cooled Down

Similarly, never add gas to a lawn mower when it's really hot. The heat could be from use or even from a mower that sits in storage on a hot, humid summer day. Let it cool for 15 to 30 minutes before unscrewing the lid and adding gas.

5. Use a Funnel When Adding Gasoline

Investing in a funnel makes adding gas to a lawn mower safer and easier. You can buy a plastic funnel at home improvement stores for under $5. Place it in your gas tank, then gently pour gas in to fill.

You might as well get two funnels while you're at it, so you have one to re-up your oil levels as well. 

6. Screw the Gas Cap on Tightly

Most lawn mower gas tanks have a screw-on lid. Some click into place when they're locked, while others may simply tighten. Always double-check that the gas cap is secure before pulling the rip cord to start your lawn mower.

7. Inspect Your Mower

You're about ready to go! Since we're talking safety, though, here are a few other steps you should take before hitting play on that podcast while you mow your lawn. These steps will help ensure safety. 

• Check the air pressure in the tires.

• Check the oil levels and cleanliness of the oil.

• Check the sharpness of your blade.

• Remove any grime or dead grass from the bottom.

It's a good idea to inspect and make any repairs each season, especially if your lawn mower has been in storage all winter. Also, maintaining your lawn mower should be an annual task. Doing so can make it last a decade or more.