Table of contents:
How to Maintain A UTV
23 October 2022
Designed for different tasks, a UTV is a game changer for many of us. A UTV, also known as a utility terrain vehicle, is useful when hauling equipment on a job site or even on the farm and doubles as a recreational vehicle for some fun.
This shows how important and well-serving a utility vehicle can be. Hence, you want to take good care of it, so it continues to serve you.
UTV maintenance helps reduce the risk of maintenance issues, reducing how much you spend on repair work.
Most UTV owners ask, how do I maintain my UTV and keep the engine clean? Here are key steps to maintain your UTV:
UTV Maintenance Tips
Before we get into the meat of this piece, it is worth noting that every utility vehicle is different. Hence, some maintenance tips, especially cleaning the engine, may also differ. Hence, it makes sense to check your manufacturer’s manual for advice on maintaining your UTV. You can also consult your dealer for tips on how to clean UTV engines.
However, regardless of your UTV make and model, UTVs share basic maintenance tips as highlighted below:
1. Check Oil Level
The first UTV maintenance tip anyone can give you on your vehicle is to top up the oil when needed. Most UTV owners run into problems because they forget to top their UTV oil since it is easy to forget.
The best way to remember is to mandate checking your oil levels before taking your UTV for a ride. This will prevent you from putting unnecessary work on the engine, which might result in engine wear and breakdown.
This tip also includes changing the oil when due, as stipulated in your manufacturer’s manual.
2. Check the Coolant Level
Checking your oil is not all that needs to be checked as UTV maintenance is concerned. Maintaining your UTV also involves checking the coolant level. While it is not necessary to check the coolant level every time you want to take your UTV for a ride, ensure you check it before every long ride.
Although reaching the coolant reservoir might be difficult, this maintenance tip will help keep the seal cooled and lubricated.
3. Check Air Filter
The air filter is another part of your engine to keep an eye on. While some UTVs feature serviceable air filters, others don’t. While you can clean a serviceable/reusable air filter, a disposable filter requires a replacement.
The point here is to ensure that your air filter is not dirty or clogged, as it is an important tip on how to clean UTV engines.
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4. Lubricate All Fittings
Like in other vehicles, UTV fittings work efficiently when lubricated. Do this by greasing every pivot point on your vehicle. If you are lost on what grease to use, your manufacturer’s manual should help out.
5. Check Spark Plugs
Spark plugs contribute to the performance of UTVs, and how often to change them depends on UTV types and the frequency of use. A common sign that your spark plugs need a replacement is your vehicle idling lower than it used to.
6. Check Tires
If your tires are bad, your UTV will perform very low, and you might be left stranded in the middle of a ride. The best means to prevent this is to check if your tires are in good condition and inflate deflated tires. Note that tires naturally lose pressure, especially when parked for a long time.
7. Inspect the Gas
Although you know how important it is to have enough gas in your UTV tank, it is still worth mentioning as a part of the UTV maintenance guide since you don’t want to run low on gas. Also, if you have parked your UTV for long, check if the gas is still in good condition. Fuel sitting in the tank for an extended period loses its value to evaporation.
8. Check the Battery
If you use your UTV regularly, you are likely to have the batteries in good condition with less to worry about. However, if your UTV has been in storage for a long time, the battery is one of the first things to check. Batteries need to charge regularly to function properly and need a replacement when dead.
9. Check the Brakes
The last thing you can afford is to take your UTV out for a ride with bad brakes. Since brakes are instrumental to your riding safety and experience, ensure they function well and change them when they are bad. Paying attention to your brake pads and fluid level is paramount to maintaining your UTV.
10. Replace the Belt
Although you have little-to-no knowledge about your UTV’s drive system, it is always important to keep a close eye on it. This is easier if your UTV uses a CVT belt drive system. While UTV belts are designed to withstand wear and tear, they have their breaking point, which requires a replacement.
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