It is crucial to keep your vehicle in good condition, and the type of it means that the maintenance should be done more or less frequently. When it comes to off-road vehicles like quads and ATVs, you will have to pay attention to many things, starting from safety features to technical ones.
The key is to have experience and proper skills. Also, you will need high-quality parts. If you have a Polaris, make sure you buy Polaris parts only from a well-known distributor. It is always good to learn more about technical specs and maintenance since that will help you deal with repairs on your own. Here are some DIY tops for keeping your Polaris in good condition.
Tire Inspection
It is crucial to keep the tires of your Polaris all the time. It is necessary for safety but also for the experience while driving it over challenging terrains. This part of maintenance is quite simple. All you need to do is to pay more attention to the visual aspects of the tires, along with some features like the pressure, appearance, and more. If there are visible signs of damage, like cuts, punctures, and bulges, it will probably require a replacement.
However, it depends on the level of damage. You can always visit a professional who will examine the tire and see if it can be fixed. Another important detail is related to balance and proper alignment. If you are dealing with a replacement on your own, make sure to tighten all bolts in the right way. Driving your ATV with bad tires can lead to various issues, and even risk your safety.
Change Oil and Filters
This is another part of regular maintenance that every Polaris owner should know. Like with all other vehicles, the oil in the engine will lose some of its properties over time, making it more difficult for the engine to stay lubricated. That can lead to increased friction, heat, and more serious technical problems in the end.
Since there are different brands on the market, you should pay attention to the specific features of the one you own. When it comes to Polaris, the recommended time for replacing filters and oil is every 1,000 miles. On the other hand, it can depend on your style of driving and how much pressure you are putting on the engine. Therefore, the time for replacement may be even shorter than that.
Chain Cleaning
The chain on your ATV plays a vital role in transferring power from the engine to the rear wheel, making regular cleaning and lubrication essential. The process of cleaning is not difficult. You need to start by getting a cleaner and a brush. You will use them to remove grime, dirt, and old oil. Also, the proper tension of the chain is crucial.
In that matter, you can visit an expert for the first couple of times before you learn how to do it yourself. The main reason why the chain must be in proper condition is because it will provide more power and reduce noise and friction. Also, it can help you avoid other failures on the engine.
Clutch and Throttle
These are the essential parts of every vehicle. When it comes to off-road quads, keep in mind that you will put much more pressure on these parts, especially if you prefer riding over challenging terrains. The cables that connect the clutch and throttle will stretch over time, and you are risking a complete failure if you don’t pay attention.
The first sign of an issue is when you notice that the changing speeds are now more difficult and less accurate or your quad simply has less power recently. Moreover, this type of maintenance will require advanced skills and more experience. If you are not sure that you can do it on your own, the best option is to visit an expert to make sure that you quad will be in perfect condition once again.
Battery and Electrical System
There are some signs of damage that even a beginner can easily spot on a battery, such as corrosion, physical damage, and loose connection. First of all, if you don’t have enough experience, it is never recommended to play around with the battery or any other electrical part. On the other hand, once you learn more about this part of maintenance, you can save a lot of time and money. The essential thing is to keep the battery clean and make sure there is no dirt over it, including the installation.
There is some additional equipment you can use as well, such as the multimeter that you can use to check the voltage. Furthermore, you should be aware of the fact that the battery will wear off over time, and you will need to replace it at some moment. Waiting for a complete failure will only lead to the risk of dealing with a dead battery while on the road.
Suspension
Since this is a special vehicle made for off-road adventures, keeping the suspension in perfect condition is essential. Not only that it will help you avoid more expensive repairs, but it will also secure the best experience while driving over mud, water, sand, and other difficult terrains.
The key is to keep all the parts properly lubricated. Also, you will notice that the suspension is not in the right condition when bumps are suddenly more difficult, along with turning, breaking, and other things related to overall performance.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many things that you can do on your own on your Polaris. However, all of them require more experience and proper skills. Therefore, the first step is to learn more about technical features.
The best part is that it will help you keep it in perfect condition all the time. Besides that, facing a failure or some other problem while on the road will be easier to handle when you are able to fix that on your own.
