10 ATV & UTV Maintenance Tips

7. Monitor Your Fuel
Purchasing gas these days is a crapshoot at best, but do not be fooled into thinking that the supplier is looking out for you on this one. I suggest only high-octane fuel for your riding, as it is usually the better of the evils. Ethanol may have extended the fuel supply for the country, but I will be the first to say it is also making aftermarket parts suppliers rich by destroying internal carburetor components. Regularly draining the carb after each ride and adding a fuel stabilizer such as Liquid Performance’s “Ethanol Equalizer” before storage will prevent the fuel from gelling and varnish from slowing or stopping your next adventure. This product also cleans internal carb components.

8. Check Tire Air Pressure
Your tires are the connection between you and the ground on which you ride. We all know that if the machine cannot grip the trail or becomes unstable at lower pressure that it can end badly. Be sure to properly inflate your tires, as this will also help them last longer.

9. Driveline Service
Whether you ride a chain-driven sport machine or a belt-driven one you still need to check this connection often. I would say it is good to check the chain tension every ride and on the belt or CVT transmission maybe every third oil change, provided there are not obvious signs of problems inside the cover. That may sound excessive until you find yourself pushing a 500-plus-pound beast out of the woods.

10. Battery Maintenance
If your ATV is equipped with a battery, as most are these days, be sure to keep a close watch on it as well. Putting the battery on a trickle charger during the off-season will save you $100 or more depending on the battery model should it need to be replaced.

Take these tips and write them down for reference, or at least as a way to make yourself feel like you have a planned attack. Although there are several other items I could pile on this page like brakes and air filter to name a few, I’ll just hope you have them on your list as well. Feel free to include any other maintenance tips you feel should be added to the list in the comment section below. Regular maintenance may seem like a headache, but it doesn’t take as much time as you think and it will help maintain your machine and save money down the line!
RS