How to Prepare Your ATV For Trail Riding After Winter Part 1 of 4 By Bryan Coats

Like most riders you are probably ready for the snow to melt so you can get out and hit the trails this spring, but is your machine ready?

There are 5 areas that I will discuss in a 4 part series that will help riders get their machines ready for spring, (1) Fluid Levels (2) Battery Condition (3) Tire Condition (4) Carburetor Condition (5) Safety Check

(1) Fluids: Oil and Coolant: Check your owners manual or with the service department at your local dealer to see how often you should change your oil. Changing your oil is not a difficult process, but you will need the following tools/accessories:

(a) oil filter wrench;

(b) crescent wrench or the appropriate sized wrench to remove the oil plug

(c) a drain pan.

Locate your drain plug (it is located on the bottom of your engine)

Put the drain pan or some type of oil collection device under your machine.

Remove the drain plug and let the oil drain out. Use the oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter.

After all the oil has stopped dripping, replace the plug and the filter. Take your finger dip it in the oil and apply a thin coat around the gasket on the oil filter before you replace it, this will help it seal better. Snug the filter tight with the oil filter wrench. Dispose of the oil properly, your local auto parts store will most likely accept your oil to recycle.

Add oil to the manufactures specifications and check the oil level.

While your checking Fluid levels look at your coolant level if you machine is liquid cooled and make sure that it is within the correct range.

Bryan Coats is an avid ATV rider and one of the two owners of the website http://www.AtvTrailReviews.com Content for this article was gathered from a number of sources including the service manager from Moab Power Sports http://www.moabpowersports.com