How To Maintain Your ATV

All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are great recreational vehicles that offer thrilling off-roading fun. They’re also good for towing and hauling machines and cargo and generally providing transport over difficult terrain on work sites. If you have an ATV, you likely use it often for a variety of purposes, both professional and recreational. Just like a car, you’ll want to perform regular maintenance on your ATV to ensure that it functions well when you need it most. That’s why your local ATV dealer, Cycles of Jacksonville, has provided this guide to ATV maintenance to help you get on the track, off the trail or to the job site safely and quickly on a well-kept ATV.

Check Tires

The tires of any vehicle are responsible for supporting it, so it’s vital that they remain in good condition. Check the tire pressure at least weekly if not more often when you ride regularly and inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s specified pressure recommendation. While you’re airing them up, inspect your treads to ensure they’re not too low or worn down and look for tears in the sidewalls of your tires as well as any embedded nails or other objects.

A tire with consistently low pressure probably has a slow leak that needs patching or replacement. Don’t ever ride on bad or worn-out tires, because a blow-out on an ATV is particularly dangerous owing to the lack of a seat belt. You’ll likely be thrown from the vehicle and suffer serious injury if your tires go out, so do everything you can to keep them in peak shape.

Top Up Fluids

The engine of your ATV has several vital components that need a continuous supply of fluid to function. You should check your ATV’s oil regularly by removing the dipstick, wiping it, reinserting it and removing it again to check that it’s reasonably clear and free of debris, metal shavings that could indicate engine grinding or sludge that means it needs replacing. Get regular oil changes and top up the oil between changes, being cautious not to overfill the compartment.

Your coolant needs topping up on a regular basis to ensure that the radiator functions well and prevents your engine from overheating. If you find you often have low coolant levels, look under where you park your ATV for pooling fluids that might signal a leak in your radiator. Seal the cap of your radiator tightly every time you top off coolant.

Inspect Battery

Batteries wear down with age as charging cycles and temperature fluctuations decrease their ability to hold power. Check your battery on a regular basis to make sure it isn’t corroded and that all wires are well-connected. If you find that your battery is often low or needs jumping, this could indicate a more serious issue that needs professional maintenance.

Examine Spark Plugs

The spark plugs on your ATV provide the ignition that powers your engine’s internal combustion. If you find that you have issues with power and your engine won’t turn over, it could be an issue with the spark plugs. To check them, first remove the ignition cables, then use a spark plug wrench or socket wrench to remove one and check that it’s not corroded and that its ceramic casing is whole. Look at the metal gaps to see that they are clean and dry. If you have the know-how, you can replace your spark plugs on your own, but if you don’t, it’s a complicated process that’s best left up to a professional mechanic.

Useful Tools

You’ll want to stock your ATV repair kit with some essential tools for regularly tuning up your machine to keep it in great shape. Wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers of varying types and sizes will help you make quick adjustments when necessary. A multimeter lets you check your ATV’s electrical system for reduced power issues. A tire pressure gauge and air compressor will help you maintain your tires easily at home or on the trail. Having the right tools will help you get your maintenance done more quickly so you can get back to riding as soon as possible.

Visit our dealership in Jacksonville to view our inventory of new and used ATVs from all the top brands. Call the Cycles of Jacksonville service department if your ATV needs attention from our mechanics. Cycles of Jacksonville happily serves the cities of Orlando and St. Augustine, Florida.