ATV Maintenance
Your ATV provides you with action and excitement on your weekend off-roading trips, tearing through mud and over dunes and kicking up dust in your wake. To keep those thrills coming, though, it’s important that you regularly service and maintain your ATV. Letting it fall into disrepair could necessitate expensive professional repairs, so you’ll want to keep tabs on what maintenance checks you’re performing and how often. If there are problems you can’t address yourself, schedule an appointment with the mechanics at Rick Case Honda Powerhouse in Davie, Florida, and we can get you back in the saddle in no time. We’ve provided a checklist of minor repairs and maintenance issues you can address at home to make sure your four wheeler is always in great condition for your next ride.
Tires
Your tires support your entire vehicle and are why it’s called a four wheeler in the first place, so you should make sure they’re always in good condition before each ride. Check the tire pressure using a gauge and air them up to the manufacturer’s specifications. Look for embedded objects in the treads, uneven tread wear and if any tire is consistently low in pressure, you probably have a slow leak. Don’t ride on damaged or worn-out tires to avoid having a blowout that could lead to a serious accident.
Battery
As batteries age, they aren’t able to hold a charge as well as they did when new, particularly after exposure to extreme conditions. If your battery seems like it has lost some of its power too soon, though, this may indicate a more serious issue that requires professional maintenance. Check it regularly for corrosion or loose connection issues and take it in if anything seems amiss.
Oil
Oil is a vital component of any engine, so you’ll want to keep your oil topped up and clean. Just like you check your car’s oil, you should check your ATV’s oil. The process is similar: remove the dipstick, wipe it down with a rag, re-insert it and remove it again. The oil should fall within the range pictured on the dipstick. If your oil is very dark or sludgy, you probably need an oil change. If you find metallic shavings, this means your engine is grinding against itself and that’s a serious problem for a mechanic.
Coolant
Your engine’s coolant is another important fluid that needs regular checking. If you’re always low on coolant, you may have a leak in the radiator that’s allowing it to seep out, which is no good at all. Make sure your radiator cap is tightly sealed whenever you top of the coolant and that your levels are good before every ride. If you find fluids or oil pooling beneath your ATV when it’s parked, this also means trouble that a mechanic will have to address.
Spark Plugs
The internal combustion engine on your ATV has its ignition provided to it by spark plugs. Worn out or weak spark plugs can’t burn gas efficiently and broken ones obviously won’t do it at all. If your ATV is having power issues and you can’t turn your engine over, it’s probably time to check the spark plugs to see if the issue lays there. Disconnect the ATV’s battery and remove any engine covers. Locate your spark plugs and remove the ignition cables, then take the spark plug out with a socket or special spark plug wrench if you have one. You’re checking the metal gaps to see that they’re clean and dry, and that the ceramic housing is still in one piece. Replacing your spark plugs yourself can be done, although it requires some know-how. Your local auto parts store can guide you to the correct tools and if you think this is a process best done by professionals, then again, don’t hesitate to take your ATV into the shop.
If you find during your inspection that your ATV needs maintenance, then call us to schedule a service appointment. If you’re looking to upgrade your four wheeler or add to your fleet, come down to our showroom to see the great new and used ATVs we carry. Rick Case Honda Powerhouse is in Davie, Florida, serving the cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale.