The saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies to your lawn mower, too.

A clean mower lets air move where it needs to, keeping the mower from getting too hot. It's easy to ignore grass on the mower deck and elsewhere, but you really do need to keep those places clear.

Since the air filter is out of sight, it may be out of mind, too. Not replacing it with a new one regularly is an easy way to harm the engine. Of course, not changing the oil is another way to fast-track your mower to the scrap heap.

Make sure you have the mower blades that you need, whether you're mulching or bagging. They're not all the same. However, they have something in common: they need to be sharp so they don't just tear your grass.

These simple, routine steps will help keep your lawnmower running as long as it should.