Generator Maintenance Checklist Before a Storm

What the owner's manual lists before storm season

A generator listing on this site names the type, the fuel, a watt figure, the start method, and the extras such as a CO sensor. The maintenance schedule is not on a listing; the owner's manual holds it. Before each storm season, the manual lists the checks that matter for a unit that has been sitting: the engine oil level, the air filter, the spark plug, and the starter battery on electric-start models.

The manual is the only schedule that applies. A generic list cannot set an interval for your unit because the engine, the fuel system, and the season differ. Read the manual's maintenance section, find the before-each-use list and the seasonal list, and follow the words there. If the manual mentions the hour meter, note where it sits on the control panel so you can read it at your next service point.

• Engine oil level and the oil type the manual names
• Air filter inspection and the point where the manual says to replace it
• Spark plug condition
• Starter battery charge for electric-start models
• The hour meter and the service points that follow it

Oil level and the oil change

The oil check is the first item on most manual lists. The manual states the oil type, the level check, and the change interval. On a listing, the same unit might not state an oil type at all; the manual fills that in. Follow the manual's words on when and how the level is checked and which oil the engine takes.

The related article on oil type and change interval explains the listing terms in general: oil type and change interval. The manual still decides the schedule for the exact unit.

Air filter checks

The manual lists the air filter as a check between seasons. A filter that has gathered dust while the unit was stored is the kind of item the manual names when you prepare after months of sitting. The manual describes how to inspect it and whether the filter is cleaned or replaced. Do not open the unit beyond what the manual describes; the manual's words are the limit.

Read the related article on air filter care for what the term means on a listing: air filter cleaning.

The spark plug check

The spark plug is another manual item. The manual describes how to reach it and what condition means keep or replace. The listing does not state spark plug details; a listing with an electric start or a CO sensor does not replace the manual's spark plug check. Follow the manual's words and contact the maker if the plug needs a part the manual does not name.

The related article on spark plug maintenance explains the term in listing words.

The starter battery on electric-start units

Electric-start listings carry a starter battery. The manual states how to keep that battery charged across the season, whether through a charger, a maintenance device, or a schedule of starts. The listing says electric start or push button start; the manual says what the battery needs between uses. Keep to the manual's instruction and do not go beyond it.

Read the article on starter battery charging for the listing terms.

The hour meter and the maker's contact

The hour meter on a listing tells the hours the engine has run; the manual maps those hours to service points, including the oil change and air filter service. Before a season, read the hour meter and compare it with the manual's hours. If a check in the manual shows something outside the manual's scope, or the manual itself asks for a dealer visit, contact the maker with the model and serial number from the listing.

The related article on reading the hour meter covers the term.

Before Texas storm season

Texas homeowners prepare before winter storm season and before summer heat. The Texas Division of Emergency Management pages and the Texas Ready pages list the broader steps: a plan, a kit, and the supplies for the household. The generator's manual checklist is one part of that plan. Add the manual's checks to the list those pages ask you to build.

The same checklist fits a portable unit kept for essentials, a larger unit on a rural property, or a standby unit an electrician installed. For a standby unit, the maker's manual and the installer's documents hold the maintenance plan; for a portable unit, the manual travels with the unit. Match the guide to your situation: essentials, rural homes, winter electric start, or whole house.

For where a generator runs, follow the maker's manual and read the CPSC generators page and the CDC carbon monoxide page listed in the sources.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What does the manual's checklist cover?

The manual lists the checks that matter for a stored unit: engine oil level, air filter, spark plug, and the starter battery on electric-start models, plus the hour meter. The manual states when and how each check happens.

Why is the checklist not on the listing?

A listing names the product family, fuel, start method, and extras such as a CO sensor. The maintenance schedule lives in the owner's manual, which is the only schedule for that exact unit.

How do I know when a check is due?

The manual states the intervals, and the hour meter on the listing shows the hours the engine has run. Compare the hours with the manual's service points.

What if the manual asks for a step I cannot do?

The manual names the maker's contact and often a dealer service step. Contact the maker with the model and serial number from the listing rather than opening the unit beyond the manual.

Do power stations have the same checklist?

No. A power station is a battery unit; its manual covers storage, charging, and the battery. The generator oil, air filter, and spark plug checks do not apply. The site's power station guides cover that family.

Where should the generator run?

Follow the maker's manual for placement and read the CPSC and CDC carbon monoxide pages linked in the sources. The manual and those pages are the authority; this site gives no placement advice.