After taking your utility vehicle out on the trails this past summer and fall, it’s time to prepare your UTV for winter storage.
If you don’t install a snowplow or tracks for winter riding, you must take all the proper steps for winterizing your UTV to ensure that it’s ready for the next riding season. Continue reading to learn about the steps to prepping your UTV for storage so it’s ready when spring rolls around again.
Since fuel makes up 10 percent ethanol, it attracts water, which you don’t want in your fuel tank. After fuel sits around for a while, it either vanishes or goes through “phase separation,” a process where ethanol separates from the gasoline, moving to the bottom of the tank. In the spring, when you’re ready to start up your UTV, issues can arise. A fuel stabilizer prevents this problem.
Once treated, you need to run the stabilizer through your machine. Startup your UTV and run it for at least five minutes; this ensures the treated gas makes it through the fuel-related components. If you have a carburetor, turn it off and drain the float bowl.
Have your air filter serviced or replace it with a new one so your UTV will be ready to go once out of storage. Consider blocking off the inlet ports to the airbox so critters can’t get in and build nests. If you block off the ports, ensure you have a reminder to unblock them in the spring.
If you’ve regularly maintained your UTV, it’s probably fine to store it without replacing the coolant. The recommendation for replacing the coolant is at least every five years for most power sport vehicles. Still, check your owner’s manual for clarification. It’s still not a bad idea to flush the coolant system and replace it if you store your UTV a season.
As you prepare your UTV for winter, it’s wise to check your engine and transmission oil, and differential fluids; if they’re dirty, replace them before starting your vehicle. If they’re clean, go ahead and store the UTV. If your vehicle stays in storage for a long time, consider fogging your engine. Spray fogging oil directly into the intake track while your engine is running. Once you see it come out of the exhaust, it’s combusted. Using this process allows for a protective coating to the internal components, including the cylinder, valves, and piston, thus helping prevent rust and corrosion.
You can also pull out a spark plug, pour a teaspoon of oil and dump it inside the spark plug hole, then reinstall the spark plug. Don’t replace the cap (you don’t want to start the engine). Crank the engine a few times; this coats the internal components with oil to prevent corrosion and rust.
The CVT clutch has an inlet and outlet duct that needs plugging off before you put away your UTV for storage. Again, doing this helps prevent mice and other small critters from building nests in them for the winter. Leave a reminder to unplug them in the spring.
Pull the battery from the machine before storing it and place it on a trickle charger or similar device to ensure a good state of charge. Consider installing quick-disconnect leads—especially for batteries challenging to remove and install.
Elevate the machine, if you can, to take the weight off the tires. It prevents them from getting any flat spots and prolongs their life.
The last step to preparing your UTV for winter is to give it a good cleaning and polish to help protect the plastics, seats, and other surfaces; this helps to prevent them from oxidizing. If you have no garage or trailer in which to store your vehicle, a cover will help.
While you prepare your UTV for winter storage, you might just find yourself thinking about all the accessories you want to add for the next riding season. When you’re ready to buy, you know who to visit. Shop our online store today for all things UTV accessories, or contact us for product information and recommendations.
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