How to get your snow blower ready for winter in Canada

To get a snow blower ready for winter, drain any old fuel and refill with fresh gas and stabilizer, change the oil, inspect the spark plug, belts and shear pins, and top up the tires. Then start the machine now, while the driveway is still bare.

Testing it in late October, rather than during the first storm, leaves time to buy parts or book a repair. Many Canadian households rely on a snow blower for months at a time, and the first heavy snowfall is the worst moment to find a seized engine or a broken belt.

The steps below draw on guidance from Consumer Reports and Briggs & Stratton. Your owner’s manual is the final word on oil type, quantities, spark plug gap and grease points, so keep it handy. These steps apply to gas models. Electric blowers need only a check of the cord, battery and moving parts.

Step 1: Deal with the old fuel

Fuel left in the tank over the summer can go stale. Consumer Reports said old, unstable fuel can gum up the carburetor and fuel passages.

If you did not drain the tank or add stabilizer last spring, drain the old gas with a siphon or a turkey baster. Briggs & Stratton advises draining leftover fuel completely. Refill with fresh fuel, ideally with a fuel stabilizer added. Follow the stabilizer label for the right amount, since neither source gives a ratio.

Step 2: Change the engine oil

Briggs & Stratton said that if you have not changed the oil since last season, now is the time. Consumer Reports said the oil is likely dark and dirty if it has not been replaced in a year.

Most modern machines have a separate oil reservoir with a dipstick. Tilt the machine back as the manual directs, drain the oil through the reservoir bolt, then refill with clean oil of the grade the manual specifies. Briggs & Stratton recommends a winter-grade oil such as 5W-30, which is designed for cold starts. Use the amount listed in your manual.

Step 3: Inspect the spark plug

Look at the spark plug for wear or damage. Briggs & Stratton said a worn-out plug should be replaced. Clean carbon buildup with a wire brush, and replace the plug if it looks corroded, black or rusty. Check the manual for the correct plug type and gap.

Step 4: Check the shear pins and auger

Shear pins are designed to break if the auger hits an obstruction, protecting the gearbox. On multistage machines, Consumer Reports said to replace pins that show corrosion or wear. Briggs & Stratton advises keeping a few spares on hand.

Make sure the auger turns freely. Consumer Reports warned never to replace a shear pin with an ordinary bolt, because a bolt will not break under pressure and could damage the transmission. Tighten nuts and bolts, especially around the controls, and grease the auger shaft and other lubrication points at least once per season, as your manual directs.

Step 5: Examine the belts

Check the drive and auger belts for cracks or fraying. Briggs & Stratton said belts showing signs of wear should be replaced. A belt that fails mid-storm can leave the machine unable to move or throw snow.

Step 6: Set the skid shoes and scraper

Adjust the skid shoes to suit your driveway surface. Briggs & Stratton said this is especially important on gravel, where it keeps the auger from picking up rocks and debris. The scraper blade should sit close enough to the ground to clear snow well, but not so close that it scrapes the surface.

Step 7: Top up the tires

If your machine has pneumatic tires, check the pressure. Consumer Reports said most manufacturers recommend 15 to 20 pounds per square inch, but check the sidewall or manual for your model. A bike pump with a built-in gauge works. Too much air risks a blowout, and too little hurts handling. Some newer multistage models have airless tires that need no inflation.

Step 8: Start it up

Consumer Reports advised pulling the machine out of the back of the garage now and starting it, to confirm it will be ready for the first storm. Run it outdoors, never in a closed garage, because engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide. If it does not start or runs roughly, take it to a small-engine repair shop while there is still time before the first snowfall.

Step 9: Store it ready to use

Briggs & Stratton suggests protecting the machine with a cover after prep. Keep spare shear pins, a spare spark plug and the owner’s manual together on a shelf nearby.

A reminder on safety: never reach into the chute or auger housing with your hands. Follow the clearing-tool and engine-off instructions in your owner’s manual when dealing with a clog.

Snow blower prep is only one part of getting ready. See our guide on the best snow blowers in Canada for 2026 if yours is past repair, and our tips on how to shovel snow safely for the spots a machine cannot reach. Households should also review the winter storm prep checklist and check local sidewalk snow clearing rules by city.

If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.

Sources: Consumer Reports; Briggs & Stratton.