How To Winterize An ATV? 8 Steps You Should Know

There are a few things you should make sure to do first when storing your ATV during the winter. To make certain you have a pain-free start-up come springtime, you wish to make certain condensation, pests, and deterioration will not be a trouble. Some individuals ride their quads throughout the wintertime. If that's the case, these ideas are still handy for storing your ATV for longer time periods.

If you plan on storing your ATV over the winter and don't know how to winterize an ATV, it is very important you take the essential actions to winterize it for long-lasting storage space. Otherwise, extended periods of non-use may cause a number of problems with various systems in your vehicle, which may make it difficult for you to get the machine up and running again in the spring.

Right here is a quick look at the most crucial steps you'll require to take to winterize your ATV.

Winterize Your ATV In These 8 Parts

1. Clean And Lubricate

Before you start to execute maintenance on your machine, you'll want to offer it a detailed cleaning. Make certain it's been cleaned, washed, as well as totally dried out. You don't intend to leave any type of particles behind, such as insects or brake dust, since this can increase the threat of corrosion.

When you're done cleaning your quad, examine it for paint chips, scratches, and also any other areas where corrosion might develop. You can gently spray your quad's metal parts with WD-40 to prevent rust and also parts break down. You also should wax any of the repainted or chrome components. Bear in mind that lubrication is key to preventing corrosion, so you intend to make certain to lubricate at risk parts, like lug nuts, wires, sprockets, as well as chains.

2. Address The Fuel System

Gasoline has ethanol. As well as when the gas sits in the container or fuel lines for a very long time, the ethanol starts to sediment at the base. Additionally, if your container is half vacant, the condensation concern is going to make the situation worse.

To stay clear of all of this, you require to do 2 points. First, add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Second, fuel approximately makes certain there's little to no space in the storage tank for condensation to occur. As well as when you are done, run the engine for 10 minutes or two to get it up to operating temperature and also to distribute the stabilizer through the lines. Fill the fuel to 7/8 full, approximately at the bottom of the filler neck, which will aid stop condensation from developing inside the tank.

There's a wide range of fuel stabilizers offered on the marketplace, and also you can select any type of brand or ask a close friend for a suggestion if you have not used a fuel stabilizer before.

3. Check The Coolant

If you have a fluid-cooled engine, then it is a great idea to service your ATVs coolant system prior to you keeping it for the winter months. If you have actually kept up on standard maintenance, you are possibly fine to simply save your ATV without replacing the coolant. The referral is about every two years, however, you ought to check your proprietor's manual to make certain that is the recommendation for your ATV. Even if you have kept up on maintenance, it's not a poor suggestion to flush the air conditioning system and also change it with new coolant if you plan on saving your ATV for several months over the winter.

As your coolant is made use of in an ATV it will weaken in efficiency gradually. This can be brought on by a build-up of aluminum corrosion or when a modification in the liquid to coolant ratio takes place when you top off your coolant system. A lot of coolants contain special ingredients that help keep the solution alkaline and will fail over time.

4. Check The Cylinders

You might find it rewarding to fog the engine to prevent rust while the vehicle remains in storage. To do this, eliminate the air filter and also spray your fogging oil straight right into the intake while the engine is running, and then change the filter. You can likewise drain pipes the carburetor, eliminate the ignition system and also disoblige a tbsp of tidy electric motor oil right into all cylinders. Cover the holes with a clean cloth as well as turn the engine several times so the oil flows with the cylindrical tubes.

If your ATV has a carbureted engine, you ought to drain the carburetor, especially if you do not have an alcohol-free fuel stabilizer. While the machine is running, close the fuel petcock valve and afterward allow the engine to run out of gas. After the engine cools off, find the drain screw for the float bowl and also allow the staying gas to stream from the carburetor.

5. Check The Tires

In fact, the only thing you have to do with your tires is to make sure they don't develop flat spots on them. If your tires aren't inflated enough, there will certainly be a flat spot where they touch the ground, which can cause the tires to split. Most individuals simply pump up the tires to great riding stress or simply above. A good ATV riding pressure is about 5 psi, so around 6 psi for storage works penalty for me.

If you can place the quads on blocks or ATV jack stands, that would be the best case circumstance. It's not necessary, as well as could feel like overkill. But if you have expensive tires and also want to maintain them fresh for as long as you can, it's a good choice to consider.

6. Change The Oil And The Air Filter

Change the oil as well as the oil filter if it needs it. It's ideal to do this while the engine is a bit warm, but not hot, hot oil can cause damage. This will assist prevent any type of rust to the engine that could happen while the ATV rests. If you actually have old used oil in your engine, it will contain acids from engine combustion and other things that are not good for sitting.

Inspect your owner's manual to learn just how much oil your engine takes. It's usually as simple as securing the drainpipe plug under the engine, allowing all the oil to drain, placing the drain plug back, altering the filter, and also filling with new oil. I recommend making use of a torque wrench to stay clear of causing any damage to the ATV, like breaking the drain plug screw off in the device.

Change your air filter by cleansing it out or replace it with a new one before you save your ATV for the winter. It is really simple to clean up an ATV filter. If the air filter is not properly cleaned and not sufficiently oiled, it can create particles such as sand, dust, as well as dirt to get involved in your engine via the intake. With an appropriately preserved filter, your engine will last years longer than if maintenance is overlooked. When you draw your ATV out of storage space at the end of wintertime as well as are ready for riding, it will certainly prepare to go.

7. Preserve Your Battery

Constantly remember to remove your battery from the vehicle as well as location it on a trickle charge before storing your ATV. As you possibly recognize, batteries require continuous focus. If you leave it in the machine over the winter season, you're practically assuring that you'll go back to a dead battery and that's no fun at all. When you place your battery on a trickle battery charger, you're not only ensuring your equipment will certainly prepare to go when you return however it likewise lengthens the battery life.

Batteries require constant attention. Getting a really inexpensive trickle charger and also putting it to make use of can not just maintain your machine ready for that "enjoyable run" in the snow, however, it also lengthens the life of the battery.

8. Keep It Covered

Storing your ATV in a garage or shed with a breathable cover is constantly the best choice, however, not everybody has the room for that. If you have to keep your ATV outside, cover it with a waterproof tarp. Getting an all-weather condition ATV cover will certainly conserve you a lot of hassle with tarps and bungee cords.

If you intend to go above and beyond, try covering areas where rodents and also animals may try to make nests in your quad. Insulation over any kind of exhaust pipes and also intakes is a great location to start. A lot of utility ATVs have belt drive transmissions these days. If a small animal, like a mouse, gets into this belt drive area, it might wreck your drive belt on just your first trip in the spring. Animals enjoy tiny areas to nest in, so try to tape off your CVT box inlet and outlet to prevent them from getting in there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I remove ATV battery in winter?

If you're not keeping your ATV in a climate-controlled atmosphere, you'll wish to pull the battery completely. If somehow removing the battery is not an alternative, at least make certain that you are utilizing a maintainer.

What should you do with your ATV battery before storing your ATV?

Remove the battery, and also store it separately. A battery can be damaged if left undercharged for extended periods, so charge it totally once a month. Jack up the ATV to obtain the tires off the ground, or a minimum of start the wheels once a month to make sure that the very same area is not constantly on the ground.

Should you winterize an ATV?

Winter season brings rough conditions that can place also the most rugged ATVs to the test. The lifspan of the battery, gas, antifreeze, air filter, engine oil, CVT grip, and extra are dependent on efficient winterization. By winterizing your ATV, you could save thousands of bucks as well as many hours of inconvenience.

Can you use ATV in winter?

If there's one thing we really verified, is that any ATV can be fun to ride in winter season. Even a sporting activity quad on supply tires can do a great job, if you're utilizing it at the ideal locations, or a lot more importantly, at the right time.

Conclusion

Winterizing your ATV will prolong its lifespan and also maintain its multitude of parts well-functioning for a long time ahead. You'll additionally save a lot of money considering that you will not have to pay for fixings left as well as right. Now that you understand exactly how to winterize your ATV, you can make it a regular behavior annually!

How To Winterize A Motorcycle with 8 Steps

Rodney L Herron

Rodney L is a technical writer and product consultant with over a decade of experience in the motor industry. Rodney is a fan of performance machines that run fast and loud and an expert in all things custom. His numerous articles and write-ups are available at our knowledge base. Whether it’s something wrong with your motorcycle or you are building a custom bike, you can trust Rodney’s experience.