ATV/ UTV Maintenance Tech Tips | Extend The Life Of Your Machine

Why Is Regular Maintenance Important? 

To prolong the lifespan and performance of your ATV or UTV, you need to maintain it year-round. Whether you’re a seasonal rider or just starting out, you won’t be doing much trail riding, rock crawling, or labour around your property if your machine isn’t well looked after. With the right care and maintenance, your ATV or UTV will last for years without the need for costly repairs. Along with saving you money, regular maintenance will also save you time and keep you safe off-road, on rough terrain, and while racing. A four seasons ATV or UTV can also be used for hard labour, like snow removal and transport. So, keep your machine in good condition, and it will keep up with you, no matter how you use it, for years to come.

It doesn’t take much to keep it up to standards! Here’s what you need to do to properly maintain your ATV or UTV.

• RESPECT THE BREAK-IN PERIOD

Before you hit the rough terrain and test the limits of your ATV or UTV, you need to follow the recommended break-in procedures first. These break-in procedures include giving your machine time to get used to running, operating, and letting the oil and fluids flow and work.

To break in an ATV or UTV, start with less stress and use only 50% throttle, then gradually increase both over time. The break-in period is about 25 hours or 2 full tanks of fuel. These steps help warm up the machine and preserve the engine. Always refer to your owner’s manual for specific break-in procedures for the machine that you own.

• TIRE PRESSURE, LUG NUTS & BRAKES

The two things to keep in mind when maintaining your tires are the lug nuts and the tire pressure. Check the pressure of each tire and determine the ideal psi for that model ATV or UTV. This type of vehicle grips the terrain much differently than a car or truck does, so the optimal tire pressure for ATVs and UTVs are relatively low.

If your tire starts to lose pressure, the bead can pop off the rim, leaving you to wrestle it back on before continuing your journey. Check your tire pressure before every expedition. If your tires start to lose pressure on the trail, take care of it with a portable tire pump. To determine the ideal psi and the torque level for your lug nuts, read the owner's manual that came with the vehicle.

Brakes that give out can lead to a serious accident, threatening the vehicle and the driver. Check the brake fluid often and measure the thickness of the pads. Also, make sure the brake cables are secure and not worn out.

• CHECK/CHANGE THE OIL

Checking and changing the oil on ATVs and UTVs is easy. But more importantly, it’s necessary since the oil in your engine catches dirt after hitting the trail. So, check the oil once a week and every time you fill the gas tank. Follow the owner’s manual for the recommended oil type and weight since the small engines of ATVs and UTVs are sensitive to different oil weights. The manual will also have a recommended maintenance schedule.

• CHANGE THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID

It’s the same story inside the front and rear differentials. The extra weight and stress of hard work and performance riding concentrate intense pressure on gears. The lubricant coats the gear teeth during operation, guarding against metal-to-metal contact and wear. The added stress, combined with high heat, can break the fluid film, and literally squeeze the lubricant from between the gears, leading to wear.

Change differential fluid according to the recommendations in the owner’s manual. And, like motor oil, upgrade to a good synthetic. It will provide improved film strength despite intense pressures to protect gears and bearings in the toughest conditions, helping your machine last for years.

• CHECK/ CHANGE THE AIR FILTER

An engine needs three things to run: fuel, spark, and air. Most of us forget about air since we don’t have to pay for it. A dirty or clogged air filter can choke off airflow and reduce performance or cause the engine to quit completely.

Here’s an analogy to illustrate: Go outside and run around your house. If you’re in decent shape, it shouldn’t be that difficult. Now, run around your house while breathing through a straw. Restricting airflow into your lungs makes it much more difficult.

The same principle applies inside your engine. A dirty air filter restricts airflow and reduces engine performance. It also allows debris to enter the engine, which can lead to wear. Check your owner’s manual for recommendations on how often to change the air filter. Check the filter periodically and change it if it’s excessively dirty. Finally, consider using a Pre-Filter to extend filter life. A pre-filter is essentially a mesh bag that fastens over the air filter. It captures large contaminants and keeps them from lodging in the air filter, extending its life.

•  CHECK BOOTS, PIVOT POINTS, AND BEARINGS

An ounce of prevention may save you a lot of trouble down the trail. Take a moment to inspect your ATV or UTV, explicitly noting the rubber boots that protect the drive shaft and air intake as well as other crucial parts of the machine; it can be costly and disastrous when one of these parts fails. While you're there, it's a great time to grease the pivot points and bearings on your frame and suspension using a high-quality water-resistant grease. A little work and forethought can save you headaches in the future.

• CHECK THE BELT

Most modern machines run with a CVT belt transmission so the engine can run without a manual clutch. The belts let you shift into whatever gear you want and hit the gas to go. These belts, along with other key parts of your ATV or UTV weaken over time. You should check your belts for wear and tear. If you make frequent water crossings or are often out on extreme terrain, your ATV's belt may wear out relatively quickly.

The simplest way to check your ATV or UTVs belt is to be aware of how it feels when driving it. If your machine no longer shifts gears smoothly or has other performance issues, your ATV or UTV may be running with a weakened belt. There will also be a smell associated with a failing belt. A faulty belt will smell like burning rubber before it goes, so be observant and catch problems with the belt before it causes a predicament.

• CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL AND CONDITION

Here’s another easily overlooked ATV/UTV maintenance practice. It doesn’t help that the coolant reservoir is often buried where you can’t readily see it. Check the coolant level in the radiator and Inspect fluid condition. If it contains sludge, slime or looks discoloured, it’s time for a change. Putting it off can result in debris clogging the narrow coolant passages in the engine and preventing optimum cooling. This can lead to the engine overheating. Engine parts expand when they get hot, which can result in scuffing and wear. While you’re at it, check the coolant hoses for abrasions or wear. Replace them as needed before they break and leave you stranded.

•  EXAMINE THE WIRING

While electrical wiring is well-insulated, it is not immune from corrosion or impact. For this reason, it is worth paying strict attention to any irregularity with an electrical part. A headlight not working might be easily corrected, but other electrical malfunctions may require professional servicing. You want your ATV or UTV to run when you need it and, if a component stops working, the whole machine may become unusable. If you are using your machine in lotos of water or muddy conditions, it is a good idea to use dielectric grease on all of the electrical connections to prevent moisture from entering the plug ends.

•  EVEN ATVS NEED A BATH

There is romance to the image of a UTV or ATV covered, even encrusted, with mud. So, go ahead and snap a photo, then wash the vehicle. The trouble with all that wet soil and bio-matter adhering to your ride is that it holds moisture. Moisture, in turn, causes oxidation (think rust) to form on the metal. Furthermore, mud carries other debris which can become wedged in components causing them to jam up or fail completely. That is why washing, preferably power washing, the machine is a wise action to preserve the life of the off-road vehicle.

LAST TIP: BE CAREFUL

Don’t treat your machine like it’s invincible or like it can go anywhere. Be careful when riding to prevent costly damage to your machine and to prevent serious injury.

Always be smart and wear protective gear when riding. And don’t ride above your skill level. If you don’t know whether you can make it up a hill, then chances are you can’t, and you shouldn’t attempt it. Otherwise, you might end up rolling over, wrecking your machine and your bones.

ATVs and UTVs are also designed to ride in designated water areas and levels only. So don’t submerge your machine in water—water will ruin the engine and cause it to stop running.

Your machine is your trusted companion that will plow your snow, haul your loads, and take you on memorable journeys in the wilderness. So be sure to give it the care it deserves and perform regular ATV maintenance. A bit of work will save you plenty of time, money, and headaches in the long run by keeping your machine in safe, reliable, and working condition for many years and trails to come.