Know-How Notes – Six Lawn Mower Battery Tips To Keep You Cutting

The sun is out, the grass has begun to green up and grow once again. Unlike last year, you are determined to get the yard under control early this year. You hop on the ol’ lawn tractor and spin the key. Nothing. Not a click, not whir, and certainly no fire. You forgot to pull the battery last fall and now your lawn mower is out of commission. Even if you are meticulous about winterizing your gardening equipment, the batteries only last so long. The average life of a lawn & garden battery is three years. You can stretch the useful life of your battery with these six lawn mower battery tips:

#1 Charge!

All lawn & garden batteries are flooded lead-acid batteries. That means that they need a regular charge cycle, otherwise they start to crystallize and lose their ability to stay charged. A maintenance charger will keep your battery fresh while it is in storage.

#2 Keep It Clean

Corroded terminals are a guaranteed way to ensure frustration on mow day. Heavy corrosion can be cleaned with a wire brush or terminal cleaner. To prevent corrosion build up, the terminals should be sealed with anti-corrosion gel.

#3 Fill ‘Er Up

Some lawn & garden batteries require maintenance, which is to say that the water inside the battery needs to be checked and filled regularly. If your battery has removable caps, then you need to check the water level and when necessary, fill with distilled water.

#4 One Size Does NOT Fit All

Just like cars, there is a right battery for your application. Lawn & garden equipment use both 6- and 12-volt batteries, make sure that the battery you need is the right one for your equipment.

#5 Righty-Tighty

Loose terminal connections can mimic a faulty battery. Not only that, but also lead to low charge rates and corroded terminals and wires. Check the terminals on a regular basis to make sure they are tight.

#6 Wireless Mower?

Wi-Fi doesn’t work on lawn mowers, you need a solid connection to the battery and starter in order for it all to work. If the wires are corroded, burned, or frayed, then the starter is not getting the current it needs to function and the battery is not getting what it needs to stay charged. Always change power leads when they are frayed or burned.

When the day comes that your battery kicks the bucket, a quick trip to your local NAPA Auto Parts Store means that you can get the exact battery your lawn & garden equipment needs. NAPA-quality batteries provide the long life and service that you can depend on all year. Happy mowing!

Check out all of the batteries available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on lawn mower battery tips, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.