You’ve invested a lot of money into your ATV or UTV. To make sure your UTV or ATV lasts for years to come and runs trouble-free, there are some basic maintenance tips that any DIYer can perform themselves.
In this blog post we’ll be answering the common question “what kind of oil does a four wheeler take?” as well as go over many useful pointers for effective ATV/UTV upkeep.
Inspect/Replace Oil
Let’s start with the basics: Inspect your engine oil regularly and adjust it as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is the first phase of any UTV/ATV servicing program.
Changing the filter and oil on UTVs & ATVs that are utilized for aggressive riding or hard work is particularly necessary.
The additional strain we place on our machinery raises internal temperatures. Furthermore, an increase in heat allows conventional oils to experience a decrease in viscosity (thin-down.) An oil that is thinner than what’s required in your motor can cause an insufficient thickness or non-durable oil film that won’t properly defend from wear.
Performance-stealing deposits and sludge are also triggered by extreme weather. Sludge can plug up oil pathways and deplete the motor’s oil supply, and deposits may trigger loss of power due to stuck piston rings.
The best protection against engine fatigue and power depletion is to change the ATV engine oil. If you’re wondering “what kind of oil does a four wheeler take?”, the answer is that while they will take conventional oil, synthetic oil is the superior choice as it will not only better protect your machine, but help to maximize performance as well. Upgrading to a high-quality, high-performance synthetic oil is critical.
Synthetic lubricants do not possess the contaminants found in petroleum-based lubricants, so they perform more effectively and last much longer.
Their inherently durable base stock oils are more resistant to excessive heat and retain a thick protective coating better than traditional petroleum-based lubricants.
Don’t be put off by the premium price, either.
Consider synthetic four wheeler oil to be a performance improvement for your ride. You don’t hesitate to spend a couple hundred bucks on a better snowplow or a stronger winch. In contrast, a few extra bucks expended on improved oil costs next to nothing – and it can make your equipment work better and run longer.
Purchase an AMSOIL ATV/UTV Oil Change Kit for your Can-Am* or Polaris* unit for ultimate convenience while doing ATV/UTV servicing.
Switch Out the Differential Oil
Within the rear and front differentials, it’s the same story.
The excess weight and burden of hard conditions and heavy riding put a lot of strain on the gears. During use, the lube covers the teeth of gears, preventing metal-on-metal interaction and fatigue. The additional friction, coupled with the high heat, will break the film of fluid and essentially push the lubricant out from in-between the gears, resulting in wear.
Change the differential fluid as per the owner’s manual’s instructions. Level up to a great synthetic, just as you should with your motor oil. It will result in increased film strength despite high pressures to safeguard bearings and gears in the harshest environments, extending the life of the machine.
Anyone who has switched out differential oil is familiar with how time-consuming the process can be: difficult-to-reach fill holes, bleeding hands, and gear lubricant spilled all over the place.
When changing gear lube, the AMSOIL easy-pack eliminates hassle, mess, and discomfort. It greatly simplifies ATV/UTV servicing.
In these situations, enthusiasts have traditionally used a gear-oil pump. But that’s another product to buy. Furthermore, most of the gear lubricant is lost within the pump, creating a mess while in storage.
AMSOIL’s Easy-Pack Synthetic ATV/UTV Transmission & Differential Fluid has a lightweight construction that helps you to reach fill holes in small spaces and through barriers that would otherwise prohibit you from using the tough conical bottles popular in the gear oil industry.
Inspect/Replace the Air Filter
To run properly, an engine requires three things: air, fuel, and spark. Many of us overlook oxygen because it’s not something we have to purchase.
A clogged or dirty air filter, on the other hand, will restrict airflow and decrease efficiency, or even cause the motor to shut down entirely.
As an example, consider the following: sprint around the perimeter of your house outside. It shouldn’t be that tough if you’re in good shape.
Now, sprint around your home, but while you do it, breathe through a straw. It becomes much more complicated as you restrict air circulation through your lungs.
The same theory holds true within your vehicle. A clogged air filter limits airflow and hence engine efficiency. It also causes debris to penetrate the engine, causing wear.
Check the owner’s manual for instructions on how frequently you can replace your air filter. Inspect the filter on a regular basis and replace it if it becomes too dirty.
Check that the air filter is securely seated and properly assembled. Otherwise, the motor will take in excess dirt, which behaves like sandpaper, scouring the bearing, cylinders, and rings.
Keep Fuel Stabilized
Gas can start degrading in as short a time as thirty days. When this happens, varnish grows within the carburetor, clogging the small gasoline passages. Sooner or later, varnish can obstruct the proper flow of fuel and prevent your ATV or UTV from running.
Apply AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer to each tank of gasoline for optimal efficiency. If you plan on burning a tank of fuel fast, such as on a full-day cruise, you can forget the stabilizer. However, many enthusiasts operate for months on one tank of fuel.
AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer prevents oxidation, which happens when fuel remains in the tank for an extended period of time. It aids in the prevention of varnish, which maintains a clean carburetor and properly flowing fuel.
Ethanol is present in most gasoline and can cause corrosion on carburetor parts and weaken fuel lines and rubber gaskets. Use 91-octane gas that is free of ethanol for the highest efficiency. If you use 87-octane gas with ethanol, use a gasoline additive formulated to avoid ethanol issues, such as AMSOIL Quickshot.
Clean Your Machine on a Regular Basis
Of course, your UTV or ATV is eventually going to get muddy. However, it ideally should be cleaned from time to time.
Wash off dirt and debris following a very muddy (aka fun) trip for effective ATV/UTV maintenance.
Mud and soil that has been caked traps wetness, which can accelerate the accumulation of rust on metal parts. It may also congregate around the differentials or engine, reducing heat flow. This raises the temperature, speeding up the rate that the oil experiences oxidation, or degrades.
Leaves, dirt, and other contaminants piled up next to the radiator may also lead to the engine overheating, limiting power.
If possible, use a pressure washer on your machine. After cleaning, run the machine for a few minutes to allow the engine heat to dry any moisture that could have infiltrated the exhaust area or the regions around the spark plug coil and boots.
Try utilizing an undercoat tool that will make cleanup easier, like AMSOIL Mudslinger®. This product acts as a shield against dirt, snow, and mud, making cleaning simple with a garden hose that uses low pressure.
It even restores fading plastics.
Inspect the Level of Your Coolant and its Condition
Here’s another easy-to-overlook ATV/UTV servicing tip. The fact that the coolant tank is always hidden in places where you can’t see it certainly doesn’t help.
Inspect the level of coolant in your radiator. Examine the condition of the coolant. If it has slime or sludge in it, it’s time to replace it. Delaying this will lead to contaminants clogging the engine’s small coolant passages and preventing optimal cooling. This will cause an overheated engine. When engine components heat up, they stretch, which can cause wear and scuffing.
Inspect the coolant hoses to see if they have any wear or abrasions while you’re at it. Replace them if appropriate to prevent them from breaking and leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Check CV boots, tires, etc.
Finally, complete your UTV/ATV servicing by checking your vehicle at least one time per month and inspecting the following:
- The condition and pressure of tires
- CV boots to make sure there are no cuts and leaks
- State of the brake lines
- Lighting
- Level of brake fluid
This will assist you in identifying any concerns before they become costly issues. It’s also a smart idea to use a spray lubricant, such as AMSOIL MP Metal Protector, to lubricate some pivot points and linkages. This is an easy way of guaranteeing that the machine can last for a long time.
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