Why winterize your Honda power product?
Both combustion engines and battery-powered devices like the Miimo robotic mower can easily be damaged by freezing temperatures, moisture, and other environmental factors in the winter months. By taking proactive steps to protect garden equipment properly from harsh winter conditions, you can prevent damage and ensure their longevity and performance. Winterizing also helps you avoid costly – and time-consuming – repair and maintenance issues.
It’s a great idea to get any problems dealt with before storage with an autumn service, so contact your dealer to arrange this.
First steps
All power products must be clean, dry and free from debris before storing. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual whenever cleaning Honda products. Always store products in the standard operation position away from excess humidity, dirt and dust – a garage or dry shed is ideal. You can also protect products with specific Honda Power Equipment covers. Check our protective cover product category to find the right made-to-measure cover for your product.
Safe storage for products with combustion engines
If you own a Honda power product with a combustion engine it's essential to follow specific storage guidelines for winter. Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying your equipment. Next, drain the fuel tank and carburettor to prevent damage caused by stale fuel or moisture buildup. If the carburettor is water damaged or clogged with debris or gummed-up fuel, the engine might surge or be hard to start. Replace damaged or clogged carburettors with a genuine Honda replacement, obtainable via your dealer.
Changing the oil
Always perform an oil change before storing your product over the winter. Old engine oil releases acids and other impurities when left for long periods of time, which cause corrosion and pitting. Old oil also contains tiny metal fragments that cause wear to the inside of the motor. Drain all oil from the mower into an approved container. Refill the oil to the recommended ‘fill’ line on the dipstick. You must only ever use the oil specified in your owner’s manual. Our Honda genuine oil blog has more details on our range of oils.
Special care for Lithium-ion batteries
The Honda Cordless Range comes equipped with lithium-ion batteries. These batteries do not need to be fully charged before storing. A battery level of 40-60% is ideal. Store the machine and battery separately in a dry, safe place away from direct sunlight. Do not place objects on top of the machine.
Temperatures
Batteries must always be stored within a temperature range of -10°C to 50°C to prevent damage, and located in a safe place out of the reach of children. If provided, keep the battery on its tender. Store the charger at a temperature between 5°C and 40°C. Further information on storage temperatures is available in the operating instructions.
Recharging after storage
After winter, charge your battery just before use. Charging should be done at a temperature of over 5°C to avoid damage. Lithium-ion batteries have a long lifespan, but will nonetheless need to be replaced eventually.
Contact your Honda dealer for replacement batteries.
Winter Care for Your Miimo
If you own a Honda Miimo robotic mower, winter maintenance will ensure its continued performance. Clean the mower and docking station following the instructions in your owner’s manual. Store the Miimo in a dry, frost-free environment, and make sure to charge the battery fully before storage. Consider investing in Honda Miimo storage bags to protect your mower from dust and debris.
Transformers, power cables and boundary wires
We recommend that you disconnect the transformer and power cables and store them out of the weather over winter, leaving only the boundary wire in the ground. Spray electrical contact cleaner on boundary wire terminals before encasing them in a waterproof box (e.g. electrical junction box) to ensure they do not corrode over the winter.
Spring service
If you didn’t arrange a service last autumn, spring is a great time to do this. Your dealer will check everything is functioning safely and efficiently. Our blog on caring for your Miimo will give you lots of tips and tricks for the coming season.
Peace of mind in the winter months
Winterizing your Honda power product means a trouble-free start to the gardening season. For more information on how to safely store your Honda power equipment products, please refer to your owner’s manual or contact an authorized Honda dealer. You’ll also find precision-engineered parts, supplies and covers on this website. We hope you enjoy a peaceful break over the winter months and a flying start next spring!
In need of parts for your Honda equipment? Contact your nearest dealer to keep everything running smoothly.
