Maintaining your ATV or UTV

Whether you use your ATV for work or play, routine maintenance will keep your machine running the way it should and give you peace of mind about things. Regular maintenance assures the following:

1. Your UTV or ATV will be ready when you need it.
2. You know the vehicle has been checked to ensure the greatest level of safety possible.
3. Regular ATV or UTV servicing prolongs the life of your vehicle and prevents expensive problems further down the trail.

That doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking hour tinkering in your garage (unless you’re into that kind of thing). On the contrary, all you really have to do is remember a few simple checklists. The first step is to familiarize yourself with your specific ATV so you can give it appropriate maintenance.

First Step: Review Your Owner’s Manual

Most of these vehicles have a lot in common, so your ATV maintenance skills will be fairly transferable. Still, every make and model is unique in some ways. A quick tour of the owner’s manual can show you what makes your vehicle unique in terms of parts and design.

Many riders like to steer clear of owner’s manuals because the text tends to be long and boring. Unless you aspire to be a top-tier gearhead, there’s no reason you have to learn the manual from front to back. For most riders, it’s enough to skim the manual when you get the vehicle, then reference it as needed to keep up with your ATV or UTV maintenance.

Rule of Thumb: Check Before Every Ride

There are some things you should check before almost every ride. If you take your ATV for a casual cruise around the neighborhood every day, you might be able to go on a few rides without running through your checklist. It’s always a good idea to check after a particularly intense outing when you haven’t used the vehicle in a while or before an incredibly challenging ride.

1. Check Your Oil – Most riders have put this off at some point, but it doesn’t make much sense. Checking your oil is one of the easiest ATV maintenance tasks. By spending a few seconds on this before every ride, you keep your engine properly lubricated. The right oil level and freshness help your engine work better and last longer.
2. Check Your Tires – Your tire tread and tire pressure both contribute to the traction between your vehicle and the ground. This is an area of ATV maintenance with serious safety implications. Your ATV or UTV will allow you to ride over difficult terrain, achieve steep climbs, and avoid unnecessary danger.
3. Gas Up – There are two big considerations related to fuel. First, pick the right type for your vehicle. The owner’s manual will tell you what’s best, and it will normally be the high-octane stuff. Second, when you store your vehicle for long stretches, it’s good to drain that fuel so it can’t go bad. In either case, trying to save a few bucks with inferior or old fuel might backfire on you.

Keep these three things top of mind, and you have a great start toward effective ATV maintenance.

Other Ways to Maintain Your ATV or UTV Between Servicing

Other elements of your maintenance routine aren’t required before every ride but require regular attention.

1. Check the Coolant Often – Keeping your coolant at a good level will make your engine last longer. If you’re planning on a ride in the extreme cold, you might have to substitute a cold-weather coolant or antifreeze. If your fluid levels seem to go down faster than they used to, look for a puddle under the vehicle. It might be a radiator leak.
2. Check Your Filters – Your air filter needs to be replaced occasionally, especially if you ride on dusty trails.
3. Change the Spark Plugs – Changing spark plugs is within the realm of ATV maintenance you might be able to handle at home. Assuming your engine is running well and you’re using the right kind of fuel, the average spark plug will last for about 100 hours of use.
4. Check Your Electrical Wiring – It’s important to make a distinction at this point. Taking a look at your electrical wiring from time to time is a good idea. You can look for exposed wires or other signs of damage without touching anything. Trying to repair wiring by yourself is a different story and is not recommended unless you know you can do it safely. The same type of visual inspection can help you identify problems with hoses, caps, and other parts.

Choose Fay Myers Motorcycle World to Keep It Running Like New

For the things you can’t (or just don’t want to) handle at home, Fay Myers provides ATV maintenance in the Denver area. From your driveline to your brakes and everything in between, professional maintenance keeps your ATV or UTV in top shape.

Establishing a regular maintenance schedule gives you one less thing to worry about and gives you more confidence every time you start your vehicle. When you give your vehicle what it needs, it will return the favor by delivering better performance.

Book a Service Appointment Today

Fay Myers Motorcycle World in Greenwood Village is staffed by factory-trained and certified technicians. Our team knows how to keep your vehicle running in peak condition or get you back on the trail after a problem. To keep things running smoothly, schedule an ATV maintenance appointment today.

 

Photo Credits: Potashev Aleksandr