What to Check Before you Hit the Trail

UTV Maintenance Tips

Trails can be kind of rough on our machines. We love our UTVs a lot, but they can take a beating when we are out on the trail. To show our love, and to keep them in the best possible condition, we like to do an inspection of our machines before each ride. Not only does this keep them in great shape, it can minimize the chance of being injured or stranded. It only takes five to ten minutes, and will help keep your machine running well for a long time. Here is a quick list of what we like to look at before each of our rides:

Tires
Tires are key to having an enjoyable ride. Give them a quick look each time you go out to make sure they are in good condition. Check the air pressure and adjust it to match the recommended level if need be. If your tire pressure is off your machine may not handle well. You may also cause damage to your tire or wheel. Remember to use a low-pressure gauge. UTV tires are generally kept at a much lower pressure than car or truck tires. A regular car tire pressure gauge might not read the low pressure correctly. Also check for cuts or gouges that could cause air leakage. Getting stuck with a flat can be a pain in the neck, so make sure they look good before you go.

Battery
When you examine your battery, look for corrosion and rust on the posts. If you see signs of these you’ll want to consider replacing your battery. If your UTV has been in storage for a long time, you’ll want to check the battery for a charge, especially if you didn’t hook it up to a tender while it was being stored.

Electrical
You’ll want to make sure your headlights and taillights are functional before you head out. Also check for any loose wires. Riding on rough terrain can knock things loose, so make sure everything is in place and that all your lights and switches are working.

You may also want to take a quick look at your spark plugs after every few trips. If there is a lot of build-up, it may be time to switch them out. It’s an easy fix that’ll keep you running smoothly.

Fluids
This may be a no brainer, but always start your ride with a full tank of gas. You never know when you’ll be spending extra time on the trail so make sure you have enough gas.

In addition to this, it’s always a good idea to give your engine oil and coolant fluid levels a quick check. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to oil changes. Don’t let this one slide as the engine oil is such a key factor in keeping your machine running well long term.

Filters
Your air filter keeps dust and dirt from getting into your engine. It makes sense that you won’t want this to get too dirty. Take off the air filter cover and check the condition of the filter element. Be sure it isn’t too covered in dirt, torn or blocked. You also have an oil and fuel filter to be mindful of. The oil filter should be replaced each time you change your oil. The fuel filter won’t need to be replaced as often. Check your manufactures recommendations for appropriate timing.

Nuts & bolts
Riding in rough terrain will loosen parts. Look and feel for loose parts and tighten anything down that needs to be.

In addition to our list, rely on your owners manual. Your manual will show you what equipment to check on your particular machine, and how frequently to check them. Taking the time use these UTV maintenance tips and look at your machine before each ride will help keep it in good shape. Doing so will help keep your rides happy, safe and successful.

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