ATV Maintenance Guide
Your all-terrain vehicle is built to handle anything you throw at it, from hauling heavy equipment to recreational off-road riding. But it can only do this if it’s in good condition! While regular maintenance checks with a mechanic are recommended, there are actually several simple upkeep tasks you can do on your own if you have the right tools and know-how.
Not sure how to keep your quad in fighting condition? This ATV maintenance guide comes to you courtesy of your friends here at Interstate Cycles in Lake City, Florida.
Read The Manual
Your ATV came with an owner’s manual that has all the basic information you’ll need to keep your quad running. It’s important to consult this manual frequently and use it to familiarize yourself with what every control does and where all the parts are on your quad. Refer to it as needed and note down any maintenance that you or a mechanic performs in it, along with the service date.
Protect The Battery
Without its battery, your ATV’s engine won’t draw a spark from the plugs and your ignition won’t turn over. Lights and signals won’t work, either. Every month or so, you’ll want to check the state of your battery by examining its posts for signs of corrosive buildup, which is usually white and crumbly. If you see this crust, then you may be looking at buying a new battery.
Tighten the wire connections to make sure your battery can send a charge where it’s needed. During the winter or long periods of inactivity, it’s smart to put your battery on a trickle charge or tender so that it doesn’t drain completely. If you allow all its power to seep out, you may have a dead battery on your hands come spring.
Check Tires
Your quad’s four wheels are what carries you through all that rocky and muddy terrain. It’s imperative that they remain in great shape. You never want to ride on bad tires! You could suffer a blowout, which is bad enough when you’re driving an average car on the highway, but it’s almost worse in an open-to-the-air vehicle going over difficult turf. You also don’t want to have to contend with a flat right in the middle of your ride.
Take the time to check the pressure of each tire with a tire pressure gauge like the one you keep in your car’s glovebox. Make sure the psi is at the levels recommended by your ATV owner’s manual. Fill up your tires before going out if they seem low. Check them for embedded objects or cracks that may signal a need for repair or replacement, too.
Change The Oil
Just like your passenger car, your ATV needs oil to prevent its engine components from grinding up against each other. It needs to be changed at regular intervals, which will be listed in your owner’s manual for your particular model. To check the condition before each ride, remove the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it and remove it again to check color and consistency. Clear, runny oil only needs topping up before you’re good to go. Sludgy, opaque oil requires an immediate change. You’ll have to change out the filter at the same time. If you find any metal shavings, get yourself a maintenance appointment at Interstate Cycles as fast as you can so that our mechanics can address engine grinding before it destroys your quad!
We hope our guide to ATV maintenance helps you to work on your quad with confidence and make sure it stays in great condition! If you ever need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our parts and service departments so that our team of mechanics can help you out with major issues. Still need a four-wheeler? Visit our dealership in Lake City to shop our selection of new and used ATVs for sale. Interstate Cycles welcomes all our Florida customers coming from the cities of Jacksonville and Gainesville.