5 Minute Guide To ATV Maintenance 

ATV maintenance is perhaps one of the most commonly ignored chores to the off road riders. It seems that there is a misconception among most ATV enthusiasts -- "If it is not broke, then don’t fix it”. This maybe just a casual point of view, but no one can really expect unforeseen situations if it happen.

Imagine you are stranded in the middle of nowhere during an off road race, because you neglect to maintain your ATV. Or perhaps while you are bogging through the mud hole, your machine dies on you. These can happen anytime. That is no joke!

Therefore, buckle up, pay attention, and start knowing the basics to maintain your ATV now.

Engine:

It is the heart of your machine. And the blood in it is the motor oil. This is used to lubricate and protect vital components in the engine. If it is dirty, or you do not change it, the oil will be less effective to prevent component wear. So, the oil should be checked every time you start your machine. If it needs to be topped up, you better do so.

Also, if you spot any oil leakage, this may indicate that the gaskets need to be replaced. Do it immediately before the problem worsens.

To keep the machine running at optimum condition, replace the spark plugs approximately every other month. It is also a good practice to put extra spark plugs in a storage compartment, as you never know when they may come in handy.

Carburetors:

You only know whether there is problem in the carburetors when you run the machine. The general symptoms are misfiring and shaking while the engine is running. If that happens, it is better to bring it to the repair shop. This is probably the best choice because full disclosure of ATV maintenance information is hard to find.

Drive chain

This should be lubricated approximately once a month, if you do heavy off road riding. It is also recommended that you change the gear oil in the differential every 3 to 4 months. If you spot any tear or wear in the component, you should change it before the problem escalates.

Tires

Check the tires before every ride. Also, make sure the air pressure is right because this plays a major role in the handling and control of your machine.

Brakes

The brakes should be tested before every ride. Send a short burst of gas to your machine, and then apply the brakes to test both front and rear. If the brakes do not work properly, you need to fix the problem.

Radiator

This system prevents the engine from overheating. Needless to say, the liquid in radiator could evaporate from time to time.

Remove the radiator cap. If the liquid level has not totally filled up the radiator, then it is time to refill it.

Remember: Never open the radiator cap while the engine is running or hot.

Battery

Make sure that the battery terminals are clean. If the battery acid is below acceptable level, you should top it up. Some people prefer to use tap water. But remember, it can freeze in cold temperatures, which render the battery useless.