Powersports Vehicle Maintenance 101
Powersports vehicles like ATVs and UTVs require regular maintenance, just like your car or truck does. Keeping your powersports vehicle in good working order will help reduce the risk of a breakdown on the trail or while you’re working. Regular maintenance also keeps your powersports vehicle out of the repair shop. There are several tasks you can easily do at home with the right tools and knowledge so that your powersports vehicle remains in peak condition at all times.
Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont is your Texas powersports vehicle dealer. Below, you’ll find some of our top tips for do-it-yourself powersports vehicle maintenance.
1. Look Over Your Owner’s Manual
First and foremost, you should check out the owner’s manual that came with your ATV or UTV and keep it in a safe place that’s easy to access. The manufacturer of your powersports vehicle will have laid out the information you’ll need to maintain your vehicle, including tire pressure levels, what types of oil and fuel to use and where to find replacement parts. Our guide is very broad, so having these specifics for your particular model of powersports vehicle will be immensely helpful to you.
2. Check Tire Pressure & Condition
The tires on your powersports vehicle should always be in good condition before every ride. Neglected tires that have bald patches are very likely to suffer a blowout, potentially causing you to have a dangerous accident that results in significant injury to you or serious damage to your vehicle or both. Use a tire-pressure gauge to check each tire and air them up to the correct psi levels, which you’ll find in your owner's manual or printed on the tire’s sidewall.
While you’re airing up your tires, examine each one carefully for any signs of wear or embedded objects. If your tires are balding or have cracks in the sidewalls, then they need to be replaced. Holes can be patched up either at home or by a professional.
3. Change Oil
Just like your standard passenger car or truck, your powersports vehicle has engine oil that needs to be changed on a regular basis. Oil helps to lubricate your engine’s parts and keep them from grinding together. You should probably change the oil at least twice per year or more frequently if you use your vehicle more often.
Check the oil by removing the dipstick, wiping it on a soft cloth, reinserting it and removing it again. Sludgy and opaque oil needs changing, but clear and runny oil can be topped off. When you change your oil, change the oil filter at the same time.
4. Examine Battery
The battery on your powersports vehicle ensures that it starts up and runs correctly. Every month, check the posts of your battery to make sure that they aren’t crusty or corroded and that the wires are connected tightly. A crusty battery or one that isn’t holding a charge is a battery that needs replacing.
If you plan to store your powersports vehicle for a few weeks or longer without riding it, it’s best to remove the battery and place it on a tender so that it remains charged up. A battery that’s allowed to drain is likely not going to hold a charge any longer.
Remember: if you discover any issues with your powersports vehicle while you’re tuning it up that you can’t address yourself at home, you can always contact the Cowboy Powersports service department. We can schedule you an appointment with our professional mechanics and get you back on the trail in no time.
If you’re looking to buy a new powersports vehicle, visit our dealership in Beaumont, TX, to take a look at our full stock of new and used powersports vehicles for sale by all the top brands. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of Lake Charles, Pasadena and Baytown, TX.