If your lawn mower is sluggish when you start it up, or doesn't seem to cut the grass as cleanly as it used to, it's probably time for a lawn mower tune-up.

What is a lawn mower tune-up?

The most basic tune up focuses on the engine, and will do three things: Replace the air filter, change the oil and replace the spark plug.

Professional lawn mower tune-ups usually offer more than basic engine maintenance. A repair shop will sharpen your mower blade, inspect the housing and drive mechanism, lubricate the mower's moving parts and check the overall function of your machine.

Why does a lawn mower tune-up extend mower life?

Changing the oil, the air filter and the spark plug help the machine properly function under extreme operating conditions, doing its job with minimal interference. A dirty air filter puts extra stress on the engine, effectively choking down and restricting air flow. This causes gas to burn less efficiently, excessive fuel consumption, and washing of the oil off the cylinder walls, scoring the cylinders.

Most lawn mowers have a paper or foam air filter that can be easily accessed.

Replacement of the air filter, oil filter, and fuel filter are fairly inexpensive.

Replacing the spark plug on an annual basis and using ethanol free gas or a fuel stabilizer will help ensure an easy start

Untangling debris from around the blade and cleaning the undercarriage and the mower deck extends the life of your machine. Grass and debris clumped in the housing can rust the mower deck. For the undercarriage, use a wire brush to remove deposits of grass clippings.

Keeping the blade sharp will put less stress on the mower's engine, while also improving the look of your yard. A dull blade tears the grass, leading to an uneven look.

How much should a lawn mower tune-up cost?

Getting a tune-up shouldn't break the bank. Sure, if you do it yourself you might save some money, but why worry yourself with tasks you may be ill prepared for; You'll need to research, track-down, locate, and buy the correct oil, an air filter and a spark plug — wasting precious time you don't already have.

Do you have the right tools? Where are you going to dispose of your old oil? How are you going to sharpen the blade?

A professional tune-up often costs between $50(at the shop) and $100(on-site) for a push mower or between $100(at the shop) and $180(on-site) for a riding mower, depending on the service call charge.

Our Minimum Charge Is $90

The costs are minimal compared to repair costs and down-time lost due to preventable causes if a neglected mower breaks at an inopportune time or doesn't start at the beginning of the season.