You made it through the toughest part of the winter, and now spring is right around the corner. For many, that means one thing: it’s time to break out the ATV, and it requires ATV maintenance.
Ripping around in an ATV, exploring back-country trails, and enjoying nature is a cherished pastime once the winter weather lifts. It can be a thrilling family activity or a solo adventure. It can be an extreme sport or a quiet retreat.
Regardless of how you like to enjoy your ATV time, the last thing you want is for the vehicle to fall on you in the middle of nature.
That’s why ATV upkeep is of the utmost importance. Luckily, it doesn’t take much – just some expert help and a few tips to keep in your back pocket.
In this post, let’s explore simple tips for upkeeping your ATV. These tips will help ensure a long functional life for your vehicle and help you avoid getting stranded on a failed ATV.
Let’s take a look!
Why is ATV Maintenance Important?
ATV or All-terrain vehicle is a sturdy, off-road vehicle that is designed to travel on four non-pneumatic tyres or special tyres that are low-pressure. The purpose of an ATV is to race, and ride trails.
ATV maintenance becomes an essential part of increasing the vehicle’s lifetime without costly repairs due to poor repair. It is an important aspect of keeping your vehicle safe for use. When you have regular maintenance, there are low chances of your vehicle going to the garage for frequent repairs.
No matter if you are a seasonal rider or recently drove this sweet ride home, you won’t be able to do a lot of trail riding or rock crawling if your ride isn’t in its best shape. This is why ATV maintenance is important.
The most important part of this is enabling the vehicle to be used for hard labour such as transport, snow removal and even moving heavy things such as boxes etc.
For instance,
Heavy-duty vehicles such as the ATV require proper maintenance as they rely on basic elements to remain functional smoothly. It is important that you take care of the three main elements while cleaning – spark, gas and air.
The gas leaves the tank and enters the fuel system through an injection system or carburettor where it combines with air. This mixture travels to the cylinders leading to ignition – this will go awry with poor maintenance.
Your ATV maintenance for this system should include checking the air filter after a dusty ride to ensure clean air flows through. When taking your ride out after a long time, check the air filters for any debris such as insect nests.
Top ATV Maintenance Tips That Will Come In Handy!
It is important that you take care of the following points when you are undertaking the responsibility of ATV maintenance:
1. Schedule Regular Maintenance
It seems self-evident, but it’s an important reminder: schedule regular ATV maintenance. Resist the impulse to believe that just because your vehicle works fine now, it doesn’t need maintenance.
Find a trustworthy, experienced recreation vehicle repair and maintenance shop that sells ATV parts and accessories. Keep an eye on your calendar; when it says, “maintenance soon” (or some variation of that message,) schedule maintenance.
If your ATV is new, follow the break-in procedures outlined in the service manual. After that, use your best judgment and periodically have your ATV inspected.
2. Clean Your ATV After a Muddy Ride
ATV riders can get muddy, especially in the rainy months of spring. For some, the mud on their ATVs is a point of pride. But, although it may seem innocuous, that mud can cause a lot of damage.
Mud, dirt, and debris can trap moisture against your ATV, causing the metal to rust. It can also interfere with the air intake, harm your suspension and conceal problems like loose bolts. After each muddy ride, take the time to clean your vehicle, taking caution to cover the intakes as you do so.
1. Don’t Leave Fuel in the Tank
Gas breaks down, and when it does, it can clog the fuel lines and damage the plastics in your vehicle. If you’re planning to leave your ATV in storage for some time, treat the gas with a stabilizer. If you’re housing your ATV for an extended period, like an entire off-season, remove the fuel.
Check both the rear- and front-end fluids on your vehicle and make sure it is smoothly coming up. Complete this step by following the manual – most oil reservoirs come with a dipstick that helps check oil levels.
Take this opportunity to check the clarity of the oil and ensure it is free of debris and particles.
2. Check The Bearings And Pivots, Bolts
This is an important step in ATV maintenance when your vehicle needs special consideration for sensitive parts such as the bearings. This step is important for preventing accidents due to negligence.
Grease the pivot points and bearings on the suspension and frame. This will take only a few minutes of your time before the ride but will save you countless headaches. Check the rubber boots to ensure the drive shafts and air intake are protected.
If you are protecting it before the winter – use a fuel stabilizer to keep the vehicle in check.
Wrapping It Up!
That was all about ATV maintenance tips and the best ways to ensure your ATV is working fine after being shut down for a long time. As an ATV owner, you must keep in mind these important tips for good automotive health.
This will help you ensure there are proper precautions taken for the upkeep of your ATV. These are meant for rough use, so it is only logical to keep them in their top shape. This ensures they do not require a lot of repairs, and your money is saved.
When you use it in the intended way, there is bound to be wear and tear on the automobile – maintenance ensures you can continue doing this for a long time.
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