Winterizing Your ATV

Now that the cold weather is upon us, you might be thinking about winterizing your ATV. After all, it’s probably one of your most prized possessions that you want to keep in excellent condition for when riding season returns. At your local ATV dealer, Holzhauer Pro Motorsports, we understand the importance of keeping your machine in great shape. We’ve outlined some key steps for winterizing your ATV below. If you need assistance with parts, service, or want to check out ATVs for sale, swing by our dealership near St. Louis, MO today! We’re conveniently located in Nashville, IL near Carbondale, Mount Vernon, and Salem.

Clean & Lubricate

Before you can start performing winter maintenance on your machine, you’ll need to clean it up. Make sure you wash it, rinse it, and dry it. This is a vital step because you don’t want to leave and gunk or debris behind as it can increase the chance of corrosion. Once your ATV is clean, you’ll want to wax the painted and/or chrome parts. Lubrication is key to preventing corrosion, so don’t forget to lubricate the vulnerable parts, like the cables, lug nuts, sprockets, and chains.

Fuel & Oil

Next, you need to address the fuel and the oil. Remember that most fuel obtained from a gas pump has ethanol in it, meaning it attracts water. You don’t want this left behind in your tank for months at a time because it leads to separation. Simply add a bit of fuel stabilizer to help prevent this from happening. After you’ve filled the tank with fresh fuel, add the suggested amount of stabilizer. You’ll need to ensure it’s evenly distributed, so start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. This confirms that the treated gasoline makes its way to all the fuel-related components.

When your engine has warmed up, proceed to the change the oil as well as the oil filter. You don’t want to skip this step because oil contains acid and other combustion by-products that can damage your ATV if you leave it sitting for months at a time during the winter. If you know your oil is used and dirty, go ahead and replace it prior to storing your ATV. Otherwise, if you've kept up with proper maintenance throughout the year, you might not have to worry about this but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Next, you’ll need to fog the engine, especially if you know your machine is going to sit for a long time. When the engine is running, spray the fogging oil directly into the intake track. You’ll see it combust fairly quickly, which you can confirm when you see it exit the exhaust. This provides a protective residue to the internal components, which helps prevent rust and corrosion.

Tires

We always recommend that you refer to the manufacturer of your tires for detailed information on how to properly prepare for winter. It’s often suggested that you inflate radial tires slightly above riding pressure. As for bias-ply tires, recommendations often include deflating the tires to expel moisture and then re-inflating to the appropriate level. This process is helpful in preventing flat-spotting, which is the damage that occurs when your vehicle sits in the same spot for an extended period of time. If you’re able, it’s helpful to elevate your ATV while it’s in storage to reduce the weight that’s placed on the tires. This is key to preventing flat-spotting.

Battery

You’ll need to remove the battery before you store your ATV for the winter. Keep in mind that you should store the battery in a place where it won’t freeze. Additionally, you’ll want to keep it hooked up to a trickle charger. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can install quick-disconnect leads, which is most useful for ATVs with batteries that are difficult to remove and install. Your main goal is to preserve the battery life while also preventing loss of charge.

Storage

Lastly, you need to find a safe and secure place to store your four-wheeler. We encourage you to apply a breathable cover to your machine, especially if you’re storing it outside where it’ll be exposed to below freezing temperatures. A cover is also great for deterring unwanted critters. You should still protect the entry points, such as the intakes and exhaust pipes. A waterproof cover is ideal for quads being stored outdoors.

You’re ready to store your machine for the winter! If you’ve got questions or you’re in the market for a new vehicle, stop by your local ATV dealer, Holzhauer Pro Motorsports. We’ve got an impressive selection of ATVs for sale. We’re located just outside of St. Louis, MO, in Nashville, IL. We also proudly serve Carbondale, Mount Vernon, and Salem.