Extending the Life of Your ATV

Dirty motorcycle motocross helmet with gogglesDo you own an ATV? If so, you’ll likely want to protect your investment as much as possible. As with owning a car, routine maintenance is very important for an ATV. It’s not hard to extend the life of your ATV — you just need to know what maintenance should be performed on a regular basis. Today, we will provide you with a handful of tips that will help your ATV improve performance and last longer.

Wash Often

Many people love to drive through mud and water with their ATV and then never wash it. This is doing the vehicle a disservice. Yes, it looks cool to have a mud-covered ATV, but it’s even better to have one that works for quite a while. You should wash your ATV after each use, especially if you’ve been mudding.

Change the Oil

Just like owning a car, you need to change the oil in your ATV every so often. Change the oil based on what the owner’s manual recommends. It won’t cost an arm and a leg because an ATV only takes a couple of quarts of oil.

Use a Clean Air Filter

A clean air filter is vital to the longevity of your ATV. If you go mudding, it’s best to check the air filter immediately upon returning home. If the air filter is filled with debris and dirt, be sure to clean or replace it. Do not continue to operate the ATV with a dirty air filter. If the ATV is stored in the winter without being used, check the air filter prior to its first use in the spring.

Check Nuts, Bolts, and CV Axles

Be sure to check the nuts, bolts, and CV axles as often as possible. Checking these items prior to going out for a ride can save your life. You never know if a nut or bolt has come loose. The only way you will find such an issue is by checking. You don’t want to find out the hard way.

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