Where To Get Gas For Your Lawn Mower [And How To Fill Its Tank]

Figuring out how to maintain and operate garden equipment can be tricky if you're new to it. Do you need to fill the gas tank on your lawn mower but have no idea where to get fuel? Luckily, we've done extensive research into this topic and have the answers. Let's check them out below!

In general, there are two places you can get gas for your lawn mower. These are at a gas station or a garden supply store.

Considering that your mower's fuel is usually the same as your car, it's as easy as bringing a container and filling it the next time you're at the gas station.

As we begin, we will cover all things lawn mowers and discuss where you can find gas for yours. Whether you recently purchased a mower or want to switch to a gas option, we're here to assist. With that said, let's dive right into this post!

Where Is The Best Place To Get Gas For A Lawn Mower?

The easiest place to find fuel for a lawn mower is a regular gas station. As we mentioned, your mower takes gas as your car does, so it's not challenging to fill up its tank.

Furthermore, you can purchase a gas container, fill it at the station, and bring it home rather than transport your mower all the way there.

That is the most common thing people do, although some garden supply stores will also carry gasoline. We recommend calling or looking on a store's website before going in to ensure they sell fuel.

Again, this comes down to preference, so either method is fine.

What Kind Of Gas Do You Put In A Lawn Mower?

Most lawn mowers will use fresh unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. Of course, your mower may state it needs something slightly different, but it seems to be the same for everyone.

Many lawn mowers have a two or four-stroke engine, so you can typically use a high-quality unleaded fuel to power them without issue.

According to Lawn Model, some users may opt for gas that contains not more than 10% ethanol, but again, this comes down to your preference.

Luckily, a lawn mower will come with a manual, which will tell you exactly what type of gas it needs.

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How Do I Put Gas In My Lawn Mower?

For anyone having trouble filling their lawn mower's tank, this is surprisingly easy. To begin:

1. Find the gas tank on your mower.
2. Locate the gasoline receptacle.
3. Remove the cap from your gas tank.
4. Place a funnel into the gas receptacle.
5. Pour the gas from your can slowly into the funnel.
6. Replace the gas cap, and screw it on tightly.

You also want to be careful while pouring your fuel, as it can be dangerous on the ground or your clothing. We recommend wearing gloves to do this, although it's not required.

How Often Should I Fill My Lawn Mower's Tank?

Generally, you'll need to refill your mower's tank every season, or 50-100 hours of run time. Of course, this can vary depending on the size of your lawn mower's engine, so you may need to fill it more frequently.

That said, it's a good idea to change the fuel in a mower seasonally, even if you don't use all of it. Doing this is an easy way to promote a healthy engine.

Cut Grass Pro claims that a pure tank of gas can last upwards of six months, although it's likely to start going bad in the months prior.

Like your vehicle, you shouldn't let old gas sit in your mower's engine, but instead replace it.

Do Riding Lawn Mowers Need More Gas Than Push Mowers?

Between riding and push mowers, you can always expect a riding one to need more gas. That's in part because it uses more energy to operate, hence the need for more frequent refills.

If you're worried about using tons of gasoline, a push mower may be the cost-effective choice. Furthermore, some riding mowers may need a fresh tank of gas a few times per month, so make sure to budget that in.

However, a push mower will require you to manually operate it, which isn't ideal for bigger properties.

How Much Gas Does A Lawn Mower Hold?

On average, a lawn mower will hold between two and four gallons of fuel. That said, this will depend on how big your machine is, so keep that in mind.

Generally, a medium-sized riding mower holds roughly two gallons, while a larger one may hold between three and four. Again, this doesn't mean you need to fill your tank to the brim.

Again, like a regular car, you don't need a full tank of gasoline to operate a mower, so there's no need to panic if you're closer to half full.

What Happens If You Overfill A Lawn Mower?

If you accidentally overfill a lawn mower, try to remove some of the excess gas. Most times, overfilling a mower's engine will lead to issues down the road, like overheating.

Although overheating doesn't sound that bad, it can damage your machine's seals and gaskets.

On top of that, using too much gas in a lawn mower is wasteful. You basically pay extra to damage your mower over time, which nobody wants to do.

So if your equipment holds two gallons, make sure to fill it accordingly.

How Long Should I Wait If I Flooded My Lawn Mower?

If you put enough gasoline in your lawn mower to flood it, you'll need to give it time to settle. Ideally, you want to wait between 15 and 20 minutes to allow the fuel to evaporate.

Once that time goes by, you can start your machine's engine. Try starting the mower again without engaging the choke. The smoother this process is, the less likely damage is to happen.

Again, this won't ruin your mower's engine if you do it every once in a while, but it can do some significant damage if you aren't careful.

Can You Put Diesel Into A Lawn Mower?

Considering that lawn mowers are low compression, using small amounts of diesel shouldn't harm them. With that said, using diesel versus regular unleaded gasoline can increase the chance of your machine smoking.

If you run into smoking after using diesel, you need to drain your tank immediately. Next, replace the fuel filter and fill it with the recommended formula.

Again, that's not to say your mower will always smoke and have problems if you use diesel, but it is more likely.

Can Gas Go Bad In A Lawn Mower?

Yes, the gasoline inside a lawn mower can go bad after a while. Whether your gas is in a container or your equipment's tank, it can expire after merely 30 days.

Of course, if you use your mower regularly, you shouldn't run into issues like expired fuel. That is because your gas is constantly flowing through your machine, keeping it fresh.

However, if you leave your lawn mower in the garage for a few months, it needs new gas. You can also try using a fuel stabilizer for more extended storage periods, which will keep your fuel from going bad.

According to SROA, properly treated gasoline can stay good for up to a year, which is good to know.

How Do You Know If Your Lawn Mower Has Bad Gas?

If you suspect your lawn mower has expired gasoline, smelling it is the easiest way to tell. Typically, bad gas will have a sour smell and be much more potent than regular, fresh fuel.

You can also drain some of the gas in question into a clear glass container. If the gas is super dark, it is likely expired and needs to be replaced.

On top of that, you also want to avoid mixing new and old gasoline if you think it's bad. Doing this will dilute the bad gas, not alleviate it.

So if it's been more than a month and your fuel smells and looks funky, throw it away.

Are All Lawn Mowers Powered By Gas?

No, there are lawn mowers that do need require gas to run. For example, there are electric, battery-powered mowers that you can purchase, which you charge instead of fuel.

This is a great idea for those trying to live a greener, gas-free life, so we recommend making the switch. With that said, electric lawn mowers do need to be charged to work, so if you forget, that can be an issue.

However, you shouldn't need to wait for more than an hour or two for your mower to charge fully, so this isn't the end of the world.

To Tie Things Up

Whether you recently purchased a lawn mower or have one, it is essential to know how to fill its tank. From what we found, you can head to a gas station or a garden supply store for fuel, so this is very easy.

Furthermore, you can purchase a gas tank and funnel your fuel into your machine at your house rather than bringing it to the station or store. Most lawn mowers will use premium unleaded gas, so that's something else to remember.

Regardless, make sure not to overfill your mower with gas, and don't forget to check its fuel for unusual smells or colors if it's been more than 30 days since your last use.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related garden posts below!

Should You Edge Your Lawn Or Mow First? [What You Need To Know]

How Long Should A John Deere Riding Mower Last?

Can You Mow Over Lawn Edging? [Mow Strips 101]