How to Maintain Your UTV

A UTV faces its fair share of wear and tear each journey it makes. Without proper maintenance, your side by side could suffer damage or a shortened lifespan. With proper maintenance, you'll be able to keep your powersports vehicle running as long and safely as possible. Below we cover some beginner's tips for taking care of your UTV. If you encounter something beyond your skillset, take your side by side to the service department at McKibben Powersports Lake Wales. Our expert staff can help get your UTV ready to ride in no time. Our dealership is located in Lake Wales, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Kissimmee and Lakeland, Florida.

Check the Owner's Manual

Start by consulting your UTV's owner's manual. This may not be the most interesting read, but it will give you valuable information on timelines for maintenance tasks and possibly advice on certain products to use. After all, who knows your side by side better than the company who created it?

Tend to the Battery

You will want to check your UTV battery about once a month to ensure the battery posts are clean. As needed, you can clean them off. Once they get too corroded, you will want a new battery.

If there is going to be a long period of time where you don't use your UTV, then you will want to remove the battery and put it on a battery tender. If your battery gets drained during the off-season, it will struggle to hold a charge. Keeping it charged on a battery tender helps prevent issues when you are ready to ride again.

Check the Tires

When your tires are not well taken care of, you can lose valuable traction or face a dangerous blowout. You'll want to regularly check two things. First, examine the tread to ensure it's at the proper level (based on the owner's manual recommendations). Second, measure the air pressure with a tire pressure gauge. Tires that are over-inflated or under-inflated can struggle to perform properly and pose a safety risk. Make sure to measure the tire pressure against the manufacturer's recommendations and adjust as needed.

Check the Oil

Your UTV needs oil to keep engine components from destroying each other. This oil needs to be changed regularly the same as the oil in your passenger car. If you notice any metal shavings in your oil, that can mean parts are grinding together and your side by side is due for a visit to the mechanic. If you notice the oil is sludgy or black, you will need to change it. This thick type of fluid won't do much good in lubricating your engine parts.

Check the Brakes

The brakes are a crucial part of your side by side. They help you control your speed and come to a quick stop when needed. Take time to regularly inspect your brakes. Check the brake pad thickness, the routing of the lines, and the condition and levels of your braking fluid. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, bring your UTV to a service department to get it checked out. Brakes are integral to the safety of your ride, so leave any fixes to the professionals.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you encounter UTV maintenance tasks that are beyond your experience level, rely on the expertise found at McKibben Powersports Lake Wales' service department. Our staff can repair your side by side so you can get back on the trail where you belong. We are conveniently located in Lake Wales, Florida, so stop by today!