I add stabilizer (stabiltz, or Seafoam) run it for about 5 minutes, leave the gas in the tank. Grease the blades, spray the auger proper with WD40 or wipe it with light oil, spray any moving parts with lube and hang it up in and upright position with the tank vent open. At the beginning of each winter I get a new spark plug. so far so good, 5 years and counting. Knock on Wood!