Not at all. Warm and change in the spring is my motto.

Most Mfg's. recommend warming up the engine and changing the oil before putting away for the season or for long period to remove harmful chemicals, contaminates, which may damage the engine. I do it when I feel the urge.

Walt Conner

I change my mower oil at the beginning of each season. After the first mow in the spring, I let it sit for 10 min and then drain/fill. Never had a problem.

Many manuals say to change before storage. If my oil were very dirty I may change before off-season storage.

Used oil that may get moisture in it (condensation usually) can form acid that attacks various metals. I have two mowers - one 11 years old and one 8 years old. I don't always change oil after the last use because I might be starting the mower from time to time during the winter to grind up leaves, so I typically wait until spring. I hate to admit it, but since I also use synthetic, I sometimes go for two years. But, I have promised myself I won't do that again. :) But whatever I'm doing, my mowers tend to last a long time. My older brother has one that I bought new in 1990 and it still doesn't smoke or leak oil. It's a Homelite-Jacobsen aluminum deck with a 'premium' Briggs 3.5 HP. Really just another 'Pulsa-Jet' with electronic ignition and a large, quiet muffler. I used 'Opti-4' SAE 30 in that one when I had it. Now I pick it up every year and service it.

Anyway, you can't go wrong by doing the yearly maintenance in your owner's manual when it says to do it.

I empty oil in late fall, and re-add new in spring... Concerns?

When all is said and done, I doubt that a mower engine has been harmed by oil changes being done on either side of winter. A quality engine will run a 1000 hours plus with reasonable maintenance. A not so good one 300-500. Typically the quality of the chassis won't have the same lifespan. At least for the most of the public. Engine oils of today protect the insides against corrosion . Drain your oil , there still is oil in the pump if your engine has one.

Thanks. I may have read the same somewhere... Perhaps the owners manually. 20+ years same routine and this Honda mower is still going strong. Needs new front wheels however.