Tips For Maintaining Your UTV

Your utility terrain vehicle or UTV serves you well whether it’s for work or play purposes. These rugged machines can haul heavy payloads, tow bulky equipment and provide family off-roading fun every weekend. But just like any other vehicle, they require some tender loving care to stay in peak condition. Otherwise, that reliable vehicle you own could fall into disrepair and then you won’t get anywhere with it.

Here at Family Powersports Odessa, we know how important regular UTV maintenance is, so we’ve created this list of our favorite tips for maintaining your UTV so you can address small concerns before they become big problems!

Tend To Your Battery

You should inspect the battery on your UTV on a regular basis to make sure that it’s neither leaking or corroded. As time wears on, your battery will start to lose its charge, but you can keep it running with a few tricks to help it maintain its power. When you’re storing your UTV for a while, remove the battery and place it on a tender or keep it hooked to a solar charger (if you can park it somewhere that receives sufficient sunlight) to prevent it from discharging completely. Letting the battery drain means it might not be able to hold a charge again, which means you’ll have to replace it much sooner than if you take care of it.

Service Your Driveline

Your UTV’s driveline serves an important function: it sends power to the tires. The driveline is either a belt or a chain, depending on your make and model of vehicle. Either way, you should adjust the tension regularly to see that it’s neither too loose nor too tight. If you have belts, make sure they’re not torn or frayed, and if you have chains, make sure to lubricate them often. Replacing your driveline is a somewhat difficult task that’s best left to professionals, so contact the Family Powersports Odessa service department if you need the assistance of our mechanics.

Service Your Driveline

Your UTV’s driveline serves an important function: it sends power to the tires. The driveline is either a belt or a chain, depending on your make and model of vehicle. Either way, you should adjust the tension regularly to see that it’s neither too loose nor too tight. If you have belts, make sure they’re not torn or frayed, and if you have chains, make sure to lubricate them often. Replacing your driveline is a somewhat difficult task that’s best left to professionals, so contact the Family Powersports Odessa service department if you need the assistance of our mechanics.

Check Tire Pressure

Your UTV’s tires support the whole vehicle and face all the tough terrain, so it’s important to keep them in great shape before each ride. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure and air them up to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. While you do this, look for bald spots, uneven wear and any objects that might have gotten stuck in the treads. Don’t use sealant on your tires as it can make the insides gummy and less likely to hold a patch if you need one.

Coolant prevents your engine from overheating so top it up often and make sure the radiator cap is tightly sealed each time. If you see fluids pooling under your parked UTV, this might mean you have a leak in the radiator that needs to be addressed.

Change Out Filters

Check the fuel filter every so often; it’s right under your fuel tank and it shouldn’t need to be replaced unless it gets clogged up. The oil filter should be changed with every oil change. Your air filter will need changing as often as you change your UTV’s tires, but if you frequently ride in dusty conditions, you may need to replace it more often.

Still seeking the perfect UTV for all your work and play needs? Visit our dealership in Odessa to view our wide array of new and used UTVs, including models by Polaris® and Bennche. Family Powersports Odessa serves the cities of Midlands, Andrews, Pecos and Fort Stockton, Texas.