Maintenance to Extend Your ATV’s Life Expectancy
No matter whether you use your ATV for sport, recreational or utilitarian riding purposes, it’s important to make sure that it’s always well-maintained. A poorly-kept ATV is likely to break down on you sooner and the parts will wear down faster, meaning that you won’t get as much bang for your buck out of your powersports vehicle before you have to replace it.
Because powersports vehicles are such a huge investment, you’ll want to take preventative measures to care for your ATV. Wondering what you can do? Langston Motorsports, located in Perris, CA, is your Orange County ATV dealer. Here are a few tips to help you keep your ATV in good working condition so that you can extend its life expectancy as much as possible!
1. Read Your Owner’s Manual
The manufacturer of your ATV created the owner’s manual for a reason — it’s to help you maintain your ATV! If you shove the manual in a drawer and never read it, then you won’t know what types of products to use with your vehicle, how much air pressure to put in your tires, what part numbers you need to replace worn components and so forth.
Your owner’s manual is a valuable resource when it comes to ATV maintenance, so make sure you have it somewhere handy that you can easily access it. Also, you can note down any repairs you do make or parts you replace, along with regular tune-ups and professional service dates in your manual. This gives you a good record of the maintenance performed on your vehicle in the event you sell it later on.
2. Change Oil & Filters
Performing regular oil changes is essential in any motorized vehicle and ATVs are no exception. Check the oil by removing the dipstick, wiping it on a soft cloth, reinserting it and pulling it out again to compare the color and consistency to the given chart. Clear and runny oil can be topped off, but sludgy, thick oil needs to be changed.
Whenever you change your oil, you’ll also want to change your oil filter. Check your air filter each time, too, to make sure it’s not too dirty. You may need to replace your air filter more often if you ride in especially dusty conditions.
3. Check Tire Pressure & Condition
Your ATV tires hold up the vehicle and maintain constant contact with rough terrain so you'll want to ensure they’re always in good condition. Check the tire pressure often with a tire-pressure gauge and air up your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended psi levels. Make sure that your tires don’t have sidewall cracks, balding treads or embedded objects in them, too. You should never ride on bad tires!
4. Wash Often
A dirty ATV is going to be a challenge to maintain because you won’t be able to see whether a part is worn or broken if it’s coated in thick dried mud. Also, grime build-up can cause corrosion and damage to your ATV over time if left unaddressed. Wash your ATV as often as it seems necessary: if you go mudding often, then you’ll probably be washing it every few weeks, but if you’re just working on your farm, you probably won’t need to scrub it down as much.
5. Ride With Care
Riding your ATV carelessly is a great way to ensure it doesn’t last you very long. When you purchase your ATV, ake sure to follow the break-in procedures while riding it. If you try to perform dangerous tricks and spin doughnuts on a brand-new ATV, you’re going to end up with a hunk of metal that doesn’t do much.
Once your ATV is broken in, you’ll still want to exercise caution while riding. Avoid running over obstacles whenever possible and don’t go too fast, especially in curvy or hilly areas. Know your vehicle’s limitations as well as your own.
If you need some professional assistance with your ATV, don’t hesitate to contact the service department here at Langston Motorsports. We can set you up with an appointment so that your ATV can get the TLC it needs to run well every time. Ready to take a look at some ATVs for sale? Browse our website to see the fine selection of new and used ATVs for sale at our dealership in Perris, CA. Langston Motorsports proudly serves the city of Temecula in addition to all of Orange County, CA.