Hi, Wayne here from Sears PartsDirect.
Today we're going to change the engine oil
in a riding mower.
Engine oil helps your riding mower engine
run smoother and last longer by lubricating
engine parts to reduce friction.
Over time, engine oil gets dirty with particles
that can abrade engine parts.
Do an oil change as often as recommended in
your owner’s manual, or at least once a year.
The first step is to gather the supplies for
the oil change.
You need engine oil—use the type and amount
recommended in your owner's manual.
For this riding mower, we'll use 10W-30, which
lubricates well at typical mowing-season temperatures.
If you lost the oil drain tube that came with
your mower (like I did), you’ll need a new one.
This little hose helps you drain the oil directly
into the drain pan without making a mess.
Of course, you need a drain pan or container
to catch the old oil.
Use a container with a spout or a cover so
you can carry the old oil to a collection
facility after the oil change.
This mower uses an oil filter, so you'll need
one of those for this oil change, too.
Also grab a strap wrench to loosen and tighten
the oil filter.
Once you gather the supplies, run the mower  
for a few minutes in a well-ventilated area.
This will warm the oil so it drains easily.
Park the mower on a level surface.
Set the parking brake and remove the ignition
key.
Lift the hood and disconnect the spark plug
wire (or wires if your engine has more than
one cylinder).
Now we're ready to get started.
To give you a better view, we’ve removed
the hood.
Remove the fastener from the lower right dash
cover.
Carefully slide the dash cover up slightly
to release the locking tabs and remove the
cover.
Remove the oil drain valve cap and install
the oil drain tube.
Put an oil pan under the drain tube to catch
the draining oil.
Push in and turn the drain valve counterclockwise
to unlock it and then pull the drain valve
outward to open.
Remove the oil dipstick, taking care to keep
debris out of the dipstick opening.
Let the engine oil drain until it stops completely.
Push the drain valve in and turn clockwise
until the pin locks.
Remove the oil drain tube and reinstall the
drain valve cap.
Reinstall the dash cover and secure it with
the fastener.
Now that we've drained the oil, we'll replace
the oil filter.
Remove the fastener from the lower left dash
cover and pull off the cover to access the
oil filter.
Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter
to catch drips from the filter.
Use a strap wrench to turn the oil filter
counterclockwise to unlock it.
Remove the filter and wipe off any oil spills
off the mower frame.
Lubricate the new oil filter's seal with a
light coat of new oil.
Position the new filter on the engine and
turn the filter clockwise to lock it in place.
Pull the oil drain pan from under the mower.
Reinstall the dash cover and secure it with
the fastener.
The final step is to add the new oil.
Because some oil might remain in the mower
after you drain it, you might end up adding
less than the amount specified in the owner’s
manual.
To avoid overfilling, follow these steps.
Pour clean oil through the dipstick tube,
stopping several ounces before the full amount
specified in the owner’s manual.
Wait a minute for the oil to settle in the
engine sump.
To check the oil level, wipe the dipstick
with a shop rag and push the dipstick all
the way into the dipstick opening and lock
it, and then unlock it and pull it out.
If the oil doesn’t reach the top of the
full mark on the dipstick, add a little more
oil, wait a minute and check again.
Repeat until oil reaches the top of the full
mark.
Reinsert the dipstick.
Reconnect the spark plug wire and lower the
mower hood.
Now, we'll run the engine for a few minutes
to move the oil through the engine.
In a well-ventilated area, we'll run the engine
for a few minutes to move the oil through
the engine, and then shut it off and check
the oil level.
Allow a minute for the oil to settle in the
engine sump.
Lift the mower hood and check the oil level
one more time.
Add oil if needed to hit the full mark on
the dipstick.
Now you can dust off your hands and pat yourself
on the back for taking such good care of your
engine.
The engine will pay you back with years of
efficient and dependable service.
I hope this video helps you out today.
You can find links to the products we talked
about in the video description below.
Check out our other videos here on the Sears
Parts Direct YouTube channel.
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