Top Tools For Maintaining Your Atv Or Utv
Proper maintenance is the key to protecting the investment you made when purchasing an ATV or UTV. Don’t worry if that sounds intimidating, because many aspects of maintenance don’t require major skills or expert knowledge. All you need are the right tools and some solid advice on how to use them.
Here at Abernathy Cycles in Union City, Tennessee, we’ve come up with this quick guide to help anyone wanting to maintain their own ATV or UTV. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to dive deeper into powersports, head to our Union City dealership for the best parts, services, and new outdoor motor toys.
Essentials
Maybe it doesn’t need to be mentioned, but no toolkit is complete without a couple of screwdrivers. Pick up a set with different sizes and types (Phillips and flathead) with comfortable grips, or you could purchase a multifunctional screwdriver with removable heads and ratcheting action for even more utility and ease of use.
Another essential is a good set of pliers. Whether you have one in your toolbox at home or want a dedicated set for your ATV or UTV, these tools are multifunctional by default, helping you grip and hold components while doing maintenance.
Tire Pressure
Having correctly inflated tires will make your vehicles more fuel efficient and help you avoid the likelihood of a flat or dangerous blowout. It will also make for a more enjoyable and comfortable ride! A tire pressure gauge is simple to use, so it’s no problem to regularly check tire pressure before you head out and even once you get to your destination.
But what happens when you get to the trail and realize you’ve got a flat? With an air compressor, this is hardly an issue. It might seem like an extra expense, but there’s nothing quite as annoying as having to pack things up early because your tire pressure isn’t at the right level. They can be used on other projects too, from painting your house to inflating air mattresses.
And if you don’t want to invest in an air compressor, or if you’re more worried about a puncture, you could go with a tire plug repair kit. These come in a variety of styles, but you’ll want to look for one that doesn’t require tire removal or any extra equipment that you might not have with you.
Wrenches
A basic set of Crescent wrenches will last you a lifetime, but a quality set will last generations. In addition to standard wrenches, you’ll need Allen wrenches of various sizes and an ATV axle wrench for the rear axle.
A set of socket wrenches is extremely helpful for your four-wheeler. You can avoid harming chrome or paint coatings while working faster than standard wrenches. Get a few ratchets of different sizes and a full set of sockets to fill out your toolkit.
Breaker bars are useful for removing fasteners too stuck-on for normal wrenches to budge. Their long handles provide great leverage, and there’s no better way to remove a big, frozen fastener.
As you build your maintenance experience and skills, it’ll be more and more likely that you’ll want to have a torque wrench around. These wrenches are designed to apply precise force to your ATV or UTV’s fasteners. This is absolutely crucial for working on the engine, as major problems can come up if a nut or bolt comes loose.
Mallet
Hitting your vehicle with a hammer probably doesn’t sound like the best idea, but there’s definitely a place for a wood or urethane mallet in your garage. These mallets have heads soft enough to prevent unintended damage to paint and other finishes when you do need to smack something just right.
Multimeter
This device is necessary to work on your ATV or UTV’s electrical system. It measures electrical conductivity throughout your vehicle, providing resistance, amperage, and voltage readings, which can help you figure out where your electrical system is robbing you of performance.
You’ll be able to complete a wide variety of tasks with these tools, but if you’ve come across a problem you don’t know how to fix, don’t hesitate to visit the friendly and reliable staff at Abernathy Cycles, located in Union City, Tennessee, and proudly serving the areas of Nashville and Memphis, as well as Missouri and Kentucky. Our superior customer service is provided by an entire team of experienced, professional service techs. Come in today to see our selection of ATVs and UTVs!