Don’t Get Left in the Dark: Why January is Generator Maintenance Month in Kansas City

Winter in the Kansas City metro is unpredictable. One day it’s 50 degrees, and the next, an ice storm is bowing power lines in Lee’s Summit or Overland Park. When the grid goes down, your generator is the only thing standing between a comfortable home and frozen pipes.

But here’s the cold truth: A generator that hasn't been started since last summer probably won't start when you need it most. At Atlas Mobile Small Engine Repair, we see it every year—homeowners dragging their generators out in the middle of a blizzard only to find the carburetor gummed up or the battery dead. Here is how to make sure your backup plan actually works.

Why Winter is Tough on Generators

Small engines are sensitive to the cold. January presents three specific challenges for your equipment:

• Thick Oil: Standard motor oil can thicken in freezing temperatures, making it harder for the engine to turn over.

• Battery Drain: If you have an electric-start model (like many larger Generac or Champion units), the cold naturally saps battery voltage.

• Fuel Issues: If gas has been sitting in the tank for more than 3 months without a stabilizer, it has likely begun to degrade, leading to a clogged carburetor.

The Atlas Winter Checklist

If you want peace of mind this season, perform these three quick checks:

1. The 30-Minute Exercise: Start your generator and let it run for 30 minutes under a "load" (plug in a space heater or a hair dryer). This circulates the oil and charges the battery.

2. Inspect the Exterior: Clear away any snow, ice, or debris from the cooling vents. A blocked vent can cause an engine to overheat, even in 10-degree weather.

3. Fresh Fuel Only: If your gas is old, drain it and replace it with fresh fuel and a high-quality stabilizer like STA-BIL.

Atlas Pro Recommendation: The Gold Standard

If you are looking to upgrade your backup power this year, we highly recommend the Honda EU Series (Inverter Generators).

• Why we love them: They are incredibly quiet, but more importantly, their Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) models (like the EU7000iS) eliminate the carburetor altogether—which means 90% of the common "won't start" problems simply don't exist.

Don’t Wait for the Ice Storm!

Why struggle with a heavy generator in the snow? Atlas comes to you. We provide mobile generator tune-ups across the entire Kansas City area, from Blue Springs to Olathe. We’ll change the oil, test the battery, and ensure your fuel system is clean so you’re ready for whatever the Midwest winter throws your way.