From hauling farm equipment to off-road adventuring, ATVs have gained widespread popularity. Just like a house, an ATV is an asset that you want to last for a long time. Considering that you are spending at least a few grand of your hard-earned money, neglecting ATV maintenance can be a costly mistake. In this post, we’ll share useful tips to extend the life of your ATV.
Don’t Skip The Break-In Process
Like a sturdy pair of Doc Marten boots, you must break in your brand new SSR ATV before taking it on long-haul adventures. By breaking in your ATV, you allow the engine, oil, and other components to get used to operating at speed. If you skip this step, your brand new ATV is likely to break down a lot sooner than you expected.
Keep It Clean
When you’re cruising through dirt roads and muddy trails, your ATVs are bound to get dirty. There is no way around it. However, as a responsible owner, you shouldn’t leave your ATV covered in mud. It would be best to routinely clean your ATVs after every ride. The longer your vehicle sits with moisture, the more vulnerable it becomes to rust.
Timely Oil Change
Every vehicle owner knows the importance of checking and changing their oil regularly. This is applicable to your ATV as well. Fresh Oil and other fluids ensure that the engine and various ATV components are lubricated. Make sure you are frequently checking and changing your oil to prevent your engine from getting damage.
Don’t Use Cheap Oils
When you have spent a huge chunk of your savings on an ATV, you may consider cutting costs in other areas to make up for it. However, the quality of your engine oil is something you shouldn’t compromise with. Rather than using the cheapest option, your ATV engine will perform better with top quality oils and other fluids recommended by the manufacturer.
Clean or Replace Air Filters
Air filters play a key role in providing the engine with clean air. It’s a good practice to check and clean air filters after a dirty ride. If you often ride on dusty trails, you may have to frequently replace air filters.
Pay Attention to Nuts & Bolts
Checking all the nuts and bolts on your ATV may seem like a tedious task, but it has to be done. Just spending some time ensuring all nuts and bolts are tight can save you a lot of repair later.
Check Tire Pressure
Always check your tire pressure before going on a ride. Low pressure can lead to an uncomfortable riding experience and even cause accidents. We suggest carrying a portable tire pump to deal with low pressure right away.
Keep Up with Scheduled Maintenance
Many ATV owners skip scheduled maintenance if their ATV is functioning fine. While your ATV may seem all right, there can be hidden issues that only an expert can detect. Instead of letting such issues turn into expensive repairs, you’re better off sticking to a regular maintenance schedule.
Understand Your ATV’s Limitations
There’s no doubt that your ATV is capable of scaling terrains that most regular vehicles can’t. But this doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. Your ATV is a powerful machine with limitations. It’s crucial to understand what an ATV can and cannot do. Just because you want to climb up a steep hill doesn’t mean you should. Apart from damaging your ATVs, you may also end up injuring yourself.
Whether you are purchasing a new or pre-owned ATV, it’s important to go through the owner’s manual to understand your vehicle’s unique specifications. This is imperative to keep up with your ATV’s maintenance requirements.