Simple Diy ATV and UTV Maintenance
You enjoy your ATV or UTV for a variety of applications. You might enjoy more sporty riding, like hitting a tough trail on a sunny day, or maybe you use a side by side for more practical purposes, such as hunting, towing, or carrying tools across your farm. No matter what it is you do, you need your four wheeler to function properly, and the only way to ensure that is through regular maintenance. Of course, most service should be left to a professional, and our service department at Abernathy’s Cycles is great when you need more involved repairs and parts. But as far as more basic powersports maintenance goes, this guide will walk you through a few DIY tasks that’ll keep your ATV or UTV running for years to come. If you have any further questions or need to schedule an appointment, stop by our dealership or service department in Union City, Tennessee any time.
Driveline
As you might know already, the driveline transfers power from your engine to your wheels. Without a functioning driveline, it won’t matter how much life your motor has left—you still won’t be going anywhere. That's why you’ll need to inspect your ATV or UTV’s driveline on a regular basis, and it’s not a bad idea to spray it with a chain lubricant every so often. But aside from that, drivelines are very complicated components, so if you think you have more serious issues, be sure to bring it into our service department.
Tire Pressure
Offroading requires high quality tires, but if yours are running low on pressure, those tough trails are a recipe for a devastating blow out. To avoid this, check the tire pressure before every ride, and make sure you inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended setting as soon as they start running low. We recommend getting a tire pressure gauge, as this will make checking the pressure on a daily basis much easier.
Fluids
Just like any vehicle with an internal combustion engine, you need fluids to keep your ATV or UTV running. With good oil, your motor’s components will run smoothly without grinding together, but as soon as the oil starts running out or getting sludgy, your engine won’t have the lubrication it needs to perform properly. You’ll usually have to change your oil every couple months, but it’s good to check it at least every week to make sure it looks okay. Also, since engines overheat without a little help, make sure you’re checking the coolant every week, too. You might not ever have to completely flush and replace your coolant, but if you ever see it start running low, you’ll need to top it off before riding again.
Filters
Just like fluids keep your engine working properly, filters help keep those fluids in good condition. They’re the only line of defense between the outside debris and your oil/fuel, so you’ll need to inspect them regularly and get them changed as needed. The fuel filter is located right below the fuel tank, and while it doesn’t need to be changed often, you’ll want to look at it every once in awhile to make sure it’s not clogged. The oil filter is pretty easy to work with. You don’t really have to inspect it very much, but you do need to change it every time you change your oil. Finally, the air filter keeps harmful particles from entering the combustion process in your engine. This usually has to be changed every few months, but again, make sure that you look at it every couple weeks. As soon as it starts getting too dirty, change it out. Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing oil changes or switching out any of these filters, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our service department, where we’d be happy to get your ATV or UTV up and running again.
Basic maintenance on ATVs and UTVs is pretty simple. Most of these maintenance tasks and inspections are pretty easy to do yourself, but always feel free to stop by our service department at Abernathy Cycles for any assistance. We’ll also do driveline repair and more complex vehicle service, and we proudly serve riders from anywhere in Missouri and Kentucky.