UTV Care
the sand dune, and in muddy fields of a farm. But with all that usability comes the possibility for serious wear and tear. Mud, debris, rocks, branches, and every other thing found in nature conspire against your UTV, so your best defense is regular maintenance. This brief guide is brought to you by Harold Implement Company so that you can keep your UTV in peak condition all year round. And if you have any major problems, don't hesitate to stop by our Corning, Arkansas location.
Oil
Without the aid of oil, your engine would quickly grind to a halt. You'll want to regularly check your oil (at least once a week if you ride regularly) to make sure there are no leaks and that the oil is at the correct level. If you find yourself needing to add more oil on a regular basis, you may have a small leak. It's crucial to get small leaks taken care of before they cause a serious problem. When you check your oil, also note the color and quality of the oil. Extremely dark oil, oil with water in it, or oil laced with metal shavings are all extremely bad signs and are a good reason to bring it in and have our service department check it out.
Radiator/Coolant
Like oil, the radiator and liquid cooling system in your UTV is crucial to its operation. You should check the coolant level frequently and note the severity and frequency of changes to the coolant level. Once again, finding yourself regularly short on oil can be a sign that you have a pinhole leak in your radiator, which, if left unchecked, could cause you to lose all your fluid and burn out your engine. Also, make sure to check the radiator cap. The gaskets should look fresh, not dry or cracked, and the cap should click into place without too much effort.
Spark Plugs
If your UTV isn't running as well as it used to, you should consider changing the spark plugs. A bigger, brighter spark can lead to better combustion and more power. When you check your spark plugs, note whether they are covered in oil or sludge, and weather the ceramic housing is intact or not. If you decide to replace your spark plugs, make sure to set the gap of your spark plugs to the manufacturer's recommendation.
Use the Right Fuel
Fuel is extremely important for UTV engines. While ethanol is a good fuel in normal cars, its tendency to turn sludgy and thick in an engine makes it a worse candidate for UTVs. Use high-quality, high-octane fuel for your UTV as much as possible to prolong the life of your engine.
Tires
Running over logs, branches, and rocks can be hard on your UTV tires, so make sure to regularly check their air pressure. The thick knobs on a UTV tire can make it hard to feel for air pressure. Instead, use a pressure gauge to increase your consistency. Not only are properly inflated tires less likely to pop, they also provide better fuel economy.
Battery
Make sure to check your battery regularly to make sure it's in good condition. There shouldn't be a lot of corrosion or any fluids leaking from the battery. If you're starting to notice your UTV has a harder time turning over than it used to, it might be time for a new battery.
Filters
Whenever you change your oil, it's important to change your filters, too. Your oil filter is an obvious candidate because it's right down their with the oil system. Remember to change your air filter, and once every few years, your fuel filter, too. It may seem pointless to change all of these filters, but old filters can rob your UTV of power and can even be hard on your engine.
This brief guide should give you a few things to check next time you're in the garage with your UTV. The best thing to do is to set up a monthly maintenance plan so every point on this list gets checked off regularly.
Here at Harold Implement Company, we believe that if you take care of your machine, it will take care of you in return. For any parts or services, our Corning, Arkansas showroom and service center provides amazing service. We proudly serve the cities of Paragould, Jonesboro and Pocahontas, Arkansas, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Stop by if you need any help getting your UTV back to its best condition.