6-Step ATV Spring Tune-Up (So It Doesn’t Break Down)

When the last of the snow is melted and the sunshine beckons, the first thing you want to do is hop on your ATV and drive away. However, you might find that your ATV quickly dies (along with your dream of coasting around and leaving your worries behind).

You can help to prevent this by doing an ATV tune-up for the spring season so you can have maximum fun with minimal frustration.

We’ve put together a list of ATV maintenance steps to get it ready for the outdoors after sitting in storage.

1. Conduct a visual inspection of your ATV

Start with the general stuff. Who knows what your ATV’s been up to the past few months when you weren't looking? Well, hopefully nothing, but that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been impacted by the winter season. Even if you properly winterized your ATV previously, you'll still want to give it a thorough check in the spring to make sure nothing’s gone awry.

For example, make sure no animals are nesting in it or have been chewing through wires and that you don’t see any leaks, water damage, or loose chains (or other loose components like nuts and bolts, handlebars, or footrests). ^{1, 2}

Also ensure that your controls are all operating smoothly.²

Finally, make sure hoses, cables, and belts are all in good shape with no signs of cracks or other damage.^{1, 3} For belts, check that they’re at the proper tension.

3. Make sure your ATV's brakes aren’t broken

Few things are more terrifying than hitting your brakes only to find out they aren't doing anything to slow you down. To avoid this, make sure your brakes are in good shape before taking your ATV out for a spin. There are several specific signs to look for when checking up on your brakes, such as their generally being unresponsive or squishy; grinding, dragging, or skipping; and your lever or pedal fully pulling back.³

While you're at it, don't forget to check your brake fluid; most machines will have a hydraulic brake fluid system, so you want to know that yours is in good shape.

4. Look at fluid levels on your ATV

Your ATV relies on several different kinds of fluids to operate, so make sure they’re all within an acceptable range. This includes your oil, your gas, and your coolant (and make sure you check your coolant level when your engine is cold).⁵

While you’re at it, see if your ATV needs an oil change or if any filters need to be cleaned or replaced, and you might want to add fresh gas to your tank.³

5. Check your battery

If your ATV’s battery has just been sitting for months, don’t assume that it’s good to go the minute you try to start your machine. Test your battery to make sure it’s still functional, and make sure no terminals have corroded while it’s been idle.

Plus, while we’re on the subject of power, check your spark plugs to see if they need to be replaced. Generally, you’ll want to replace them after every 50 hours of use or every two years, whichever comes sooner.⁴

6. Look at your lights

There's one final check you need to do before getting out there. Remember how before your driver’s license test, your examiner made sure your headlights, taillights, and brake lights were working? Do the same for your ATV.⁴

Replace any lights that have burned out so that you (and others) will be able to see where you're going.

Final notes on your ATV tune-up

Don't let your eagerness to ride override your judgment. As Outdoors.com puts it, “If you ‘ride it like you stole it’ as soon as you buy it then do not expect it to last very long.” Making the effort of completing basic maintenance on your ATV will help you to keep enjoying adventures with it for a long time to come.

If you need parts for your ATV, check out our selection of power sports parts.

Found this primer on spring ATV maintenance helpful? Visit our other Rugged U blogs, including our guide to winterizing your ATV. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get product highlights, helpful information, and more delivered right to your inbox.

[REVISED 3/2023]