Basic ATV Maintenance Guide

All-terrain vehicles are designed to provide you with both work and recreational transportation on difficult terrain. Whether you love going off-roading on the weekends with friends or you’re using your ATV for carrying out tasks on a work site, you have to make sure that it’s in good working order at all times. ATVs require regular maintenance, just like any other type of vehicle, so here are some tips to help you keep your ATV tuned up so you can stay out of the repair shop.

Read Your Owner’s Manual

While the tips below are broadly applicable to many types of ATVs, you’ll still want to consult the owner’s manual that came with your make and model of ATV. The manufacturer of your vehicle has laid out all the necessary information in that manual to help you keep your ATV maintained and it likely includes recommendations on what types of fluids to use, too.

Inspect Tires

You should regularly check the pressure and condition of your ATV’s tires to make sure you’re not driving on overly worn tires. A blowout is bad enough in a typical passenger vehicle on a straight, flat road; consider how bad the impact of a blowout could be if you’re riding your ATV on a rocky trail when your tire bursts. Use a tire-pressure gauge to check the pressure of each tire and air them up to the appropriate psi levels. Look for signs of undue wear, including bald patches, worn treads, embedded objects, and cracks in the sidewall.

Change Oil & Filters

Your ATV’s engine uses oil just like any other motorized vehicle does, so you need to keep tabs on it. You’ll want to change the oil on a regular basis and change the oil filter at the same time. While you’re at it, have a look at your engine’s air filter; if you ride in particularly dusty conditions, you may need to change this component more often, but it should be good for a while otherwise.

Look Over Brakes

You’ll also want to take a look at your ATV’s brakes and test them out on a flat, even surface every so often to make sure that they engage correctly. If you feel any resistance to stopping or hear any grinding or squealing, those are signs that your brakes are in need of repair. Otherwise, you’ll want to keep tabs on the level of brake fluid you have and inspect the lines to make sure they aren’t broken. Look at the condition of your brake pads as well.

Need help with maintaining or fixing your ATV? Contact the Polaris® of Gainesville service department to make your appointment with our team of mechanics. We’ll be happy to help you with any specific ATV issues you’re having or perform yearly maintenance tasks to keep your ATV functional.

Stop by our dealership in Alachua, FL, to take a look at our selection of new and used ATVs for sale. We can even assist you with financing options on your purchase. Polaris® of Gainesville serves the greater Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, metro areas.