Just because the temperature dips below short sleeve shirt weather doesn’t mean you have to stop riding your ATV/UTV.
Using normal preventative maintenance and a few extra cold-weather
maintenance checks, riding in cold weather, even in the snow, can be
very enjoyable.
You might be doing this already, but just in case you aren’t,
remember with the onset of colder temperatures, you need to replace the
fluids in your ATV/UTV with coolants and lubricants designed for cold
weather. Your vehicle will start easier and run smoother if you remember
to do this. In fact, this might be the most important aspect of
cold-weather maintenance you need to remember. But there are others that
are also important.
My ATV mechanic always reminds me to lubricate the control cables
with temperature-appropriate lubricants to make sure they function
properly in the cold. This includes brake cables, the choke cable, and
any others your particular model vehicle might have.
While you are lubricating the cables, it’s a good idea to go ahead
and grease the lube points on your ATV’s frame. Check with your ATV
mechanic to get the right grease for the temperatures you are likely to
encounter.
My mechanic always reminds me to be sure and test the brakes
frequently to make sure they are working. Nothing’s worse than not being
able to stop. The same goes with the other cables on your ATV. Test
them frequently while riding to make sure they haven’t frozen up on you.
I never leave the shop where I get my ATV serviced without the
mechanics there going over my vehicle’s frame and checking for any areas
that might show stress or cracks or abnormal wear. Better to know it
before you head out in cold weather than to find out the hard way 10
miles from the trailer.
Something I never thought of until my mechanic did it for me is
greasing the electrical connections on my ATV. He checked the
connections and greased them to make sure everything worked properly and
winter’s worst wouldn’t cause a problem while I was out riding. It’s
not too farfetched to say that small action alone probably got me home
in time for supper on more than one occasion.
These tips are common sense, but it is easy to forget them when you’d
rather be riding than working on your ATV. But by following these
simple tips, you’ll get more enjoyment from your ATV/UTV and enjoy more
of the outdoors — even in the dead of winter.
We are Baltimore's number one dealer for all types of motorcycles, watercraft, ATVs, and generators. We have 3 stores stocked full of accessories and repair technicians all trained and ready to help you. In addition to the most knowledgeable sales reps, we have been the recipient of the Maryland Kawasaki Top Silver Dealer Award for the past 8 years.
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